Braces in Gilbert, AZ
What Are Braces?
Braces are fixed appliances made of brackets, archwires, and elastics that apply steady, gentle force to move teeth into better alignment. At Oasis Orthodontics in Gilbert, AZ, we use metal and ceramic braces to correct crowding, spacing, and bite issues, usually over 12 to 24 months.
Each bracket is bonded to a tooth and connected by a thin archwire that acts as a guide, nudging teeth along a planned route while your jaw and supporting bone adapt to the new position.
Braces correct more than crooked front teeth. Dr. Day uses them to treat crowding, gaps and spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and teeth that have rotated or tipped out of position.
At Oasis Orthodontics, we offer traditional metal braces, white-gold braces, and clear ceramic braces, so your treatment matches your bite and how visible you want it to be.
Your treatment is planned digitally. Instead of messy putty impressions, we capture your teeth with an iTero scan and pair it with low-dose, high-quality digital X-rays. That gives Dr. Day precise records, a 3D model of your bite, and a clear plan before a single bracket is placed.
Most cases finish in 12 to 24 months. Simple spacing corrections can wrap up faster, while complex bite or growth cases take longer. Dr. Day will give you a realistic estimate at your first visit, not a vague guess.
Benefits of Braces for Kids, Teens, and Adults in Gilbert
Braces remain a highly predictable way to correct complicated bites. Because the brackets stay bonded to your teeth, Dr. Day controls tooth movement in three dimensions with a level of precision that removable trays can't always match on severe cases.
Here's what patients across Gilbert gain from braces treatment:
- Reliable results on tough cases. Deep overbites, significant rotations, impacted teeth, and large gaps respond well to fixed appliances and elastics.
- Healthier teeth and gums. Straight, evenly spaced teeth are easier to brush and floss, which lowers your long-term risk of decay and gum disease.
- Better function. A corrected bite improves chewing, can sharpen speech clarity, and often eases strain on the jaw joints and muscles.
- No compliance worries. Braces work 24 hours a day. For younger kids and busy teens with packed schedules, that's one less thing for parents to track.
- A discreet option for adults. Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend with your enamel, so treatment stays subtle during meetings and photos.
- Lasting confidence. Adults tell us the difference shows up in job interviews and wedding photos, and teens stop covering their mouths when they laugh in group pictures. A beautiful smile can change your world!
They also protect your teeth from uneven wear. When your bite lands evenly, chewing forces spread across all your teeth instead of overloading a few, which helps your enamel and restorations last.
Kids, teens, adults, and grandparents all sit in our chairs. Personalized and affordable orthodontic care for all isn't a slogan we borrowed. It's how we schedule our day. Personalized orthodontic care for all means Dr. Day builds every plan around your bite, your age, and your goals rather than a template.
The Braces Process at Oasis Orthodontics: Step by Step
Getting braces at Oasis Orthodontics follows six steps: a free consult with digital records, a custom treatment plan, a bonding visit to place your brackets, adjustment visits every four to eight weeks, debonding day with polishing, and retention with a custom retainer. Most patients complete the process in 12 to 24 months.
Step 1: Free consult, exam, and digital records
You'll meet Dr. Day for an exam, we'll take low-dose, high-quality digital X-rays, and we'll capture your bite with an iTero scan. No putty, no gagging. You'll see your own 3D model on screen while we discuss what's happening with your teeth and jaws.
Step 2: Your custom treatment plan
Dr. Day reviews your records and builds a plan around your specific bite, your age, and your goals. You'll get an estimated timeline, your bracket options, and a written cost breakdown before you commit to anything.
Step 3: Bonding visit
Placing braces typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. We clean and prepare each tooth, bond the brackets in position, then thread and secure the first archwire. The visit itself is comfortable, and you'll leave with a care kit plus instructions for the first week.
Step 4: Adjustment visits every 4 to 8 weeks
Short visits keep your teeth moving on schedule. We change wires, swap elastic ties, add elastics when your bite needs correction, and check hygiene. These visits usually run 15 to 30 minutes, and we work around school and work hours whenever possible.
Step 5: Debonding and polishing
When your teeth reach their planned positions, we remove the brackets, clear away any remaining adhesive, and polish your enamel smooth. You'll see your finished smile that same day, and most patients want photos immediately.
Step 6: Retention
Teeth drift over a lifetime, so retention protects everything you just earned. We deliver a custom retainer, show you exactly how and when to wear it, and check your fit at follow-up visits so your result holds.
Are Braces Right for You? Who Makes a Good Candidate
Good candidates for braces have crowding, gaps, bite misalignment, rotated teeth, or teeth that haven't erupted properly, along with healthy gums and adequate bone support. Braces work at nearly any age. Dr. Day treats children in early treatment, teens with full permanent dentition, and adults in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
Children
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, kids should have an initial orthodontic screening at age 7. Early evaluation isn't always followed by early treatment. In many cases we simply monitor your child's growth patterns until the timing is right.
Teens
This is the most common age for braces, since permanent teeth have erupted and active jaw growth can work in our favor.
Adults
Age isn't the deciding factor. Healthy teeth, gums, and bone are. If you have gum concerns or older dental work, Dr. Day will coordinate with your general dentist first.
Braces vs. clear aligner therapy
| Factor | Braces | Clear aligner therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Case complexity | Handles severe rotations, deep bites, and impacted teeth | Best for mild to moderate correction |
| Compliance | Fixed, so they work around the clock | Requires 20 to 22 hours of wear daily |
| Appearance | Metal, white-gold, or clear ceramic brackets | Nearly invisible trays |
| Eating | Some food restrictions apply | Remove trays to eat anything |
| Hygiene | Brushing and flossing take more effort | Remove trays to brush and floss normally |
Severe skeletal differences sometimes need coordinated care with an oral surgeon. Dr. Day's specialized surgical orthodontic experience means those cases stay in expert hands from start to finish.
Why Gilbert Families Choose Oasis Orthodontics
Choosing an orthodontist in Gilbert, AZ comes down to experience, technology, and how you're treated at every visit. Orthodontics is all we do. Dr. Scott P. Day, DMD, MS, earned his DMD with high honors from Oregon Health Sciences University, then completed a Masters of Oral Biology and his Certificate of Orthodontics at the University of Louisville, graduating first in his class with high honors. He also served in the military, where he built extended experience with surgical orthodontic cases.
Dr. Day is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Arizona Dental Association, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.
A few more reasons families keep coming back:
- Full-scope treatment. Early treatment through complex surgical coordination, all under one roof.
- Digital records. iTero scanning and low-dose, high-quality digital X-rays give you comfortable visits and precise treatment planning.
- Clear costs. You'll see your fee in writing, plus interest-free payment plans and help applying insurance or FSA dollars.
- Real reviews. Patients from Gilbert and nearby Mesa, Chandler, and Queen Creek share their results on Google.
- The same team, start to finish. The people who plan your treatment are the ones who finish it, right through retention.
At Oasis Orthodontics in Gilbert, our aim is simple: give you the smile you deserve, and have a fun time along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces in Gilbert, AZ
How much do braces cost in Gilbert, AZ?
Braces pricing depends on case complexity, treatment length, and the bracket type you choose. Most dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit, and we apply it directly to your balance. Interest-free monthly payment plans, FSA, and HSA funds all help spread the cost, and you'll get an exact quote at your free consult.
How long do braces take?
Most patients wear braces 12 to 24 months. Mild crowding or spacing can finish sooner, while significant bite correction, impacted teeth, or growth-related cases run longer. Wearing your elastics as directed and keeping your adjustment visits on schedule are the two biggest factors that keep treatment on time.
Do braces hurt?
Not really. Placing braces is comfortable, and no numbing is needed. Expect mild soreness or tenderness for two to three days after your bonding visit and briefly after some adjustments, which most patients manage with soft foods and over-the-counter medication. That tenderness fades quickly as your teeth adjust.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
Skip anything hard, sticky, or chewy that can pop a bracket or bend a wire. That includes ice, nuts, hard candy, popcorn kernels, caramel, taffy, gum, and crusty bread. Cut apples, carrots, and corn off the cob into bite-sized pieces. Cutting back on soda and sugary drinks also protects your enamel while brackets are on.
Are ceramic braces better than metal braces?
Neither one is better across the board. They just trade off differently.
| Factor | Metal braces | Ceramic braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visible silver brackets | Tooth-colored and low profile |
| Strength | Very durable | Strong, though slightly more fragile |
| Cost | Typically the most affordable option | Usually costs a bit more |
| Best for | All ages, all case types | Adults and older teens who want discretion |
We also offer white-gold braces if you want something a little different. Dr. Day will walk you through which option suits your bite and your daily life.
Braces or clear aligner therapy: which should I choose?
Choose braces for complex rotations, deep bites, or cases where full-time compliance is a concern. Choose clear aligner therapy for mild to moderate correction when appearance and removability matter most. Dr. Day is an experienced aligner provider, and after reviewing your iTero scan he'll tell you honestly whether both options can reach the same result.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No referral is required. You can schedule directly with Oasis Orthodontics, and many of our patients do. If your general dentist did refer you, we'll happily coordinate with them and share your records and progress.
Book Your Free Braces Consultation in Gilbert, AZ
A confident smile starts here. Schedule a free, no-obligation braces consult at Oasis Orthodontics and find out exactly what your treatment would involve, with no pressure to start that day.
Your free consult includes an exam with Dr. Day, low-dose, high-quality digital X-rays, an iTero 3D scan, your custom treatment plan, and a written cost estimate.
Call 480.812.9100 or book online, then visit us at 3303 S. Lindsay Rd., Suite 126, Gilbert, AZ 85297, convenient for families throughout Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, and Queen Creek.
If you've been searching for braces in Gilbert or weighing your options with an orthodontist in Gilbert, AZ, flexible scheduling and interest-free payment plans make starting easier than most people expect. Curious about ceramic braces, white-gold brackets, or clear aligner therapy instead? Ask us at your visit, and we'll compare all of your options side by side.