Braces & Orthodontics in Lynwood

Braces and Invisalign straighten teeth and correct the bite, and at PhD Dental in Lynwood it starts with an orthodontic consultation. Our orthodontists — Dr. Ghazaleh Vargha, Dr. Daniel Khorshad, and Dr. Pedrum Barr — see patients at our Lynwood Adults office, at 3737 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 375, Lynwood, CA 90262, and across our eight offices in Greater Los Angeles on scheduled days. At the consultation, the orthodontist examines your teeth, explains whether braces or Invisalign fits your case, how long treatment would take, and exactly what it would cost — before you commit to anything.

What is the difference between braces and Invisalign?

Both move teeth gradually into better positions. They differ in how they do it, and in what daily life with them is like:

• Braces. Small brackets are fixed to the teeth and connected by a wire that the orthodontist adjusts over time. Because they are fixed, braces work around the clock and cannot be forgotten or lost. They handle everything from simple crowding to complex bite correction.
• Invisalign. A series of clear, removable aligners that fit over the teeth. Each set is worn for a week or two, then swapped for the next. The aligners are nearly invisible and come out for eating, drinking, and brushing — but they only work while they are worn, about 22 hours a day.

Neither is automatically better. The right choice depends on your teeth, your bite, and honestly, on which one you will actually keep up with.

Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign works well for mild to moderate crowding, gaps between teeth, and many common bite problems. It is a popular choice for adults and older teens who want treatment that is hard to see at work or in photos. The main requirement is discipline: the aligners have to stay in about 22 hours a day, every day, and be put back in after every meal. If that routine sounds manageable, Invisalign is likely an option for you — the consultation confirms it.

Who is better with braces?

Braces are the better tool for more complex cases: severe crowding, large rotations, teeth that need to move a long way, and significant bite correction. They are also usually the safer choice for younger patients, and for anyone who suspects they would lose, forget, or under-wear removable aligners — braces do not depend on willpower, because they are always working. Many children and teens at PhD Dental wear braces for exactly these reasons.

How much do braces or Invisalign cost?

Orthodontic treatment is priced per case, so there is no honest flat price — the consultation is how you get your exact price. What drives the cost:

• Complexity. Mild crowding costs less to correct than a severe bite problem.
• Treatment length. A case that takes a year costs less than one that takes two or more.
• Braces or aligners. The appliance chosen for your case affects the total.
• Retainers. The retainers that hold your teeth in place after treatment are part of the plan, and are figured into your estimate.

After the consultation you receive a written estimate before any treatment begins. In-house payment plans and financing options are available to help spread the cost over the course of treatment.

How long does treatment take?

Most orthodontic treatment takes about 12 to 24 months. Simpler cases — a few crowded or spaced teeth — can finish sooner; complex bite correction takes longer. You will visit the office roughly every 4 to 8 weeks so the orthodontist can adjust braces or check your progress with aligners and hand you the next sets. At your consultation, the orthodontist will give you a realistic timeline for your specific case.

What keeps treatment on schedule is consistency: keeping your adjustment appointments, wearing your aligners the full time if you choose Invisalign, and following the care instructions for your braces. Missed appointments and broken brackets can add weeks, so if something breaks or an aligner is lost, call us right away rather than waiting for your next visit.

Does insurance or Medi-Cal help with braces in Lynwood?

PhD Dental is in network with Delta Dental at all eight offices. Many PPO plans include orthodontic benefits, often for children and sometimes for adults, so we check your coverage before treatment — not after. We also accept these PPO plans: Aetna PPO, MetLife PPO, Delta Dental PPO, Cigna PPO, Guardian PPO, UnitedHealthcare PPO, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Blue Shield of California PPO, Humana PPO, Principal PPO, Ameritas PPO, United Concordia PPO, Sun Life PPO, Lincoln Financial PPO, Unum PPO, The Hartford PPO, Renaissance Dental PPO, Premier Access PPO, and Health Net PPO. Please note we do not accept any HMO plans at this time.

We accept Medi-Cal. We accept Denti-Cal.

All of PhD Dental’s orthodontists are Medi-Cal-contracted, and for patients under 21, braces can be covered by Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal when medically necessary. The consultation is how we find out whether your child’s case may qualify.

Common questions about braces and Invisalign

Does it hurt?

Straightening teeth does not hurt during appointments, but mild soreness is normal for a few days after braces are adjusted or when you switch to a new set of aligners, as your teeth begin to move. It typically fades on its own and responds to over-the-counter pain relief. Eating softer foods for a day or two helps.

How often are visits?

Roughly every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on your treatment. Braces visits are for adjustments; Invisalign visits are progress checks where you receive your next sets of aligners. Because our orthodontists see patients across our offices on scheduled days, we will book your visits at the office and on the day that works for your treatment.

What about retainers after?

Retainers are what keep your teeth in their new positions once treatment ends — the work is not finished without them. Expect to wear your retainer full-time at first, then at night. If retainers are skipped, teeth can gradually shift back, so we plan the retainer phase with you from the start and include it in your written estimate.

Can adults get braces or Invisalign?

Yes. Many of our orthodontic patients are adults. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, age is not a barrier — adults choose between braces and Invisalign the same way teens do, based on the case and on lifestyle. If gum or other dental work is needed first, we will explain that at the consultation.

How do I start?

Start with an orthodontic consultation. The orthodontist examines your teeth, tells you whether braces or Invisalign fits, how long it would take, and exactly what it would cost — before you commit to anything. If you are new to PhD Dental, a full exam with x-rays is $69 without insurance — the exam and x-rays are a package and cannot be unbundled. Walk-ins are welcome at all of our offices.

Braces & Orthodontics care in Lynwood

Braces & orthodontics care is available at PhD Dental in Lynwood. Our Lynwood Adults office is on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. Our team is gentle and patient, and we explain each step before we start. New patients and walk-ins are welcome. Our Lynwood Adults office is also open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Our staff speaks English and Spanish.

Our closest neighbors — South Gate, Willowbrook, Watts, East Rancho Dominguez, Cudahy, and Walnut Park — are just minutes away, and we also see patients from Bell, Florence-Graham, Huntington Park, Paramount, Bell Gardens, and Maywood. From nearby cities we welcome patients from Downey, Vernon, Bellflower, Commerce, Santa Fe Springs, Gardena, Lakewood, Carson, Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, and Signal Hill.

Book a braces & orthodontics consultation in Lynwood

Call our Lynwood office to book your orthodontic consultation, or book online. Our orthodontists — Dr. Vargha, Dr. Khorshad, and Dr. Barr — see patients across our offices on scheduled days, and if your orthodontist is not at your office on the day you need, we will book you at the nearest office and coordinate your care. Walk-ins are welcome.

• PhD Dental Lynwood Adults: 3737 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 375, Lynwood, CA 90262
• Call: (310) 861-7742
• Book online: Book an appointment
• Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sunday closed. We are open on Saturdays.