Before & Afters
Real Patient Transformations
Changing Lives, One Smile At A Time
Many patients step into our practice with dreams of a brand new grin. Others are looking for effective and convenient ways to straighten their teeth and improve oral function. Seeing these individuals walk out of our doors with a strong smile and newfound confidence is the reason behind our mission here at Life Orthodontics. No matter your goals, we’re honored to be a part of your orthodontic journey. Take a look at our Before & After gallery to explore real patient stories!
National Case of the Year
Chief Concern: Severe crowding and overjet
Treatment Type: Traditional braces with four premolar extractions and orthognathic surgery
Treatment Time: 38 months
Case Summary: This young adult patient presented with severe crowding and overjet with a history a juvenile idiopathic arthritis. All first premolars were extracted to help resolve the severe crowding. Traditional braces were used to resolve the crowding, close the extraction spaces, and prepare the patient for orthognathic surgery. The patient had bimaxillary orthognathic surgery performed to resolve the severe overjet. Post-surgery, final detailing was performed with braces. This case was presented at the 2022 American Association of Orthodontics Annual Session Resident Case Display Competition by UCSF (Dr. Robert Lee was the primary treating doctor of this case during his orthodontics residency at UCSF) and was awarded first place of all cases presented by the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Spacing
Chief Concern: Large gap between the upper front teeth and black triangles
Treatment Type: Traditional braces
Treatment Time: 18 months
Case Summary: This adult patient presented with a 6mm diastema (space) between the upper front teeth and black triangles between the lower front teeth. Interproximal reduction (IPR) was performed on the upper and lower front teeth to reshape the enamel surfaces to allow them to come closer together and reduce the black triangles. Traditional braces were used to close all the spaces and detail to an ideal bite.
Underbite
Chief Concern: Severe crowding and underbite
Treatment Type: Traditional braces and orthognathic surgery
Treatment Time: 30 months
Case Summary: This young adult patient presented with severe crowding and an underbite. Traditional braces and a quad helix expander were used to level and align the teeth, broaden his smile, and prepare him for orthognathic surgery. Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery was performed to resolve the underbite. Post-surgery, traditional braces and elastics were used to perform final detailing and settling of the bite.
Occlusal Cant
Chief Concern: Severe crowding and occlusal cant (tilt)
Treatment Type: Traditional braces with dental expanders
Treatment Time: 25 months
Case Summary: This teenage patient presented with severe crowding and a cant (tilt) of her upper teeth up to the left side of her face. She also had a retained upper left baby canine with an ectopic (high) upper left canine. Traditional braces and upper/lower dental expanders were used to level and align her teeth, resolve her cant and crowding, and broaden her smile.
Severe Rotation
Chief Concern: Severe rotation of front tooth, crowding, overjet
Treatment Type: Traditional braces with four premolars extracted
Treatment Time: 23 months
Case Summary: This teenage patient presented with Class II malocclusion, severe crowding, and a 90 degree rotation of his upper left front tooth. Four premolars were extracted and space closure was managed with traditional braces to resolve the Class II malocclusion, crowding, severe rotation, and overjet.
Crowding - Treated with InSmile Braces
Chief Concern: Moderate crowding, crooked teeth, wanted straighter teeth before his wedding
Treatment Type: InSmile Braces
Treatment Time: 16 months
Case Summary: This adult patient presented with moderate crowding and let us know that he was getting married soon, so he did not want to compromise his appearance with traditional braces or aligner attachments during his engagement photos and wedding. InSmile lingual braces were used to level and align his teeth and resolve his crowding. The patient was able to take his engagement photos and have his wedding without anybody realizing he was undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Severe Overjet & Crowding
Chief Concern: Severe crowding and overjet
Treatment Type: Traditional braces with four premolars extracted
Treatment Time: 26 months
Case Summary: This teenage patient presented with Class II malocclusion and severe crowding. Four premolars were extracted and space closure was managed with traditional braces to resolve the Class II malocclusion, overjet, and severe crowding.
Early Interceptive Orthodontics
Chief Concern: Crowding, edge-to-edge bite, and open bite
Treatment Type: Phase I treatment with upper and lower partial braces and dental expanders
Treatment Time: 9 months
Case Summary: This prepubescent patient presented crowding, an edge-to-edge bite on the upper front teeth, and an open bite on the upper lateral incisors. Partial braces and dental expanders were placed on the upper and lower arches to resolve the crowding and broaden the smile. Elastics were worn to create more overjet to resolve the edge-to-edge bite and to close the open bite.
Edge-to-Edge Bite - Treated with Aligners
Chief Concern: Edge-to-edge bite, crooked teeth
Treatment Type: Clear aligners (Invisalign)
Treatment Time: 12 months
Case Summary: This adult patient presented with an edge-to-edge bite causing worn incisal edges. Clear aligners with bonded attachments and Class III elastics were used to level and align the teeth, create more overjet, and resolve the edge-to-edge bite.
