The Smile Agency, a great option for your children and young ASD adults 

We were provided Orthodontic services in consideration for this post

I was so clueless about braces growing up and so lucky to have never needed them. My girl on the other hand, not so lucky. Since the time her teeth started falling out we had issues with the new ones coming in behind the baby teeth and all over the place! Up until now I have made a serious point in getting her to the dentist insuring she had no reason to fear her check ups. Once a kid gets scared to go, forget it! And if that child had autism, it can be a very scary experience. I've had to change dentists several times as many have wanted to do invasive procedures on her baby teeth at a drop of a pin. My daughter still has many of her baby teeth but honestly, I didn't want to wait for them all to fall out to start getting her teeth straightened.

I have been so fortunate to have worked with Dr. Guinn of The Smile Agency in a professional manner for over 18 years as her interior designer and in doing so I've watched her children grow up like family of my own, all while witnessing the amazing business Dr. Guinn has built. I have the utmost trust in her abilities as an orthodontist as she is constantly traveling around the world learning the latest in orthodontics. Never did I worry where would I go if we needed braces in our family, ever.

My girl is almost 10 and has been obsessing over getting braces, she has seen so many of her older cousins wearing them them, she just had to get them. Little did she or I know what it really entailed. Was it gonna hurt, would teeth need to be pulled, would she need expanders (and what exactly are expanders) These were some of my many fears and questions I had for my girls situation. After dropping in over the last few months to Dr. Guinns West Covina location, my daughter was right at home. Joking with the techs, Dr. Guinn and making herself at home at the clinic, it was a perfect scenario to get things going. We did x-rays one day and the next appointment we did a full mouth scan and the brackets were installed along with the wires and springs on top. The entire process took about 2 hours, with no numbing agents, pain or discomfort at all. The staff is beyond amazing all under the extremely knowledgeable and watchful eyes of Dr. Guinn.

After several weeks, we went back in for adjustments on top and to have the wires installed on the bottoms. We will now go another 6 weeks before our next visit. So far it's been an amazingly easy treatment with zero issues.

Did you know that not all braces are alike! Again I was clueless when it came to braces, I had people asking me, where are her bands? What are they so close to her gum line? What are those springs?!? As I mentioned Dr. Guinn is on it! She is always learning the latest and best techniques to create amazing smiles for her patients. For my daughter they used the passive self-ligating Damon System braces. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the archwire, reducing the amount of pressure exerted on the teeth and allowing the teeth to move more freely, quickly, and comfortably. What are some more of the benefits you ask?

1. Great results in less time. Depending on your case, this may mean a savings of many months. After analyzing your specific needs, The Smile Agency will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that will have you smiling soon!
2. Damon braces allow freedom of movement – resulting in faster results with gentler forces.
3. Precise and effective – Reducing the need for many of the time-consuming and complicated procedures that are used with traditional braces.
4. Fewer adjustments are required – As a result, your appointments will be faster and fewer in number.
5. Less discomfort than traditional braces. Also, Damon self-litigating braces are small, very comfortable, and easy to keep clean.

Technology: Damon passive self-ligating braces eliminate the need for elastic or metal “ties.” With Damon tie-less braces you can experience treatment without tightening.

Treatment Time: While the time needed in braces will vary from case to case, treatment time with the Damon Systemis typically much faster than with conventional braces. Also, far fewer appointments are required during treatment, making your Damon experience convenient and hassle-free.

Comfort: Even though the Damon System works so quickly, the use of gentle, low- friction force means less discomfort for you. Very light “shape memory” titanium wires are used, gently guiding your teeth to their ideal position.

Convenience: Damon self litigating braces are designed to be discreet, comfortable, and easy to keep clean. Without the elastic ties, which attract and collect plaque, Damon braces make dental hygiene easy during treatment which I hear can be an issue. Plus, the Damon System is available in clear braces for patients who want a great smile without sacrificing aesthetics.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children should have an orthodontic screening by age 7. If you are in the need of an orthodontists for any child or yourself, I would highly recommend visiting The Smile Agency at either of their locations in West Covina or Pasadena. The consultation is free of charge. I will be following up and sharing our progress as we have already seen great results already on my girls uppers, it's amazing how quickly it is working already and I am so happy that it was all pain free for my daughter!