Orthodontic Treatment in Henderson & Las Vegas, NV
Every option we offer, what each one actually does, and how to tell which fits your case. No jargon, and no pretending there is only one right answer.
What orthodontic treatment actually does
Orthodontic treatment corrects the position of teeth and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. Braces and aligners work the same way underneath: steady, gentle pressure applied over months, which remodels the bone around each tooth so the tooth can move and then stay put.
Most people come to us for how their smile looks, and that is a completely legitimate reason. However, alignment does real mechanical work too. Crowded teeth are harder to clean and collect more plaque. A bite that meets unevenly wears enamel down in specific spots. Significant overbites leave front teeth exposed to fracture.
At your free consultation, Dr. Beth will tell you which of these apply to you and which do not. If your case is mostly cosmetic, she will say so rather than dressing it up as a health necessity.
Braces and aligner options at Beth’s Braces
We offer five approaches. Dr. Beth recommends based on your bite, not on what we would prefer to sell.
Traditional metal braces
Brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by an archwire. Still the most versatile option available and still the right call for complex bites, significant rotations and cases needing precise control. Today’s brackets are noticeably smaller than the ones adults remember.
- Handles every case type
- No compliance required — they work while you sleep
- Adjustments every 4–6 weeks
- Colour bands, if your kid wants them
Clear ceramic braces
Mechanically identical to metal braces, but with tooth-coloured brackets that blend into the enamel. Popular with teens who care about photographs and with adults in client-facing work. Slightly more fragile than metal, and they need a bit more care around staining foods.
- Fixed, so nothing to remember
- Far less visible than metal
- Suitable for most case types
Invisalign clear aligners
A sequence of clear, removable trays, each worn one to two weeks. Nearly invisible, no food restrictions, and easier to brush and floss around. Works well for mild to moderate crowding, spacing and bite issues — though not every case qualifies.
- Removable for meals and photos
- Check-ins every 6–8 weeks
- Requires 20–22 hours of wear daily
Lingual braces
Brackets placed on the tongue side of the teeth rather than the front, making them genuinely invisible from the outside. They deliver the effectiveness of fixed braces without showing at all. There is an adjustment period for speech, and they are not suitable for every case.
- Completely hidden when you smile
- Fixed, so no compliance issues
- Candidacy confirmed at consultation
Early (Phase 1) treatment
A short, targeted course for children roughly ages six to ten, while the jaw is still growing. It is not about straightening every tooth. It addresses a specific developmental problem that would be harder to fix later, such as a crossbite or severe crowding.
- Typically 9–18 months
- Followed by a monitoring period
- Most children do not need it
Retainers & retention
Not optional, and not an afterthought. Teeth drift for the rest of your life, and retention is what holds the result. We recommend essentially full-time wear for the first year, then nights only. Skipping this is the most common reason a good result quietly comes undone.
- Fixed and removable options
- Replacements available
- Included in your treatment plan
Braces vs. Invisalign: how they compare
The honest summary: braces handle more, aligners are more comfortable to live with. Which matters more depends on your case and your life.
| Metal & ceramic braces | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Visible; ceramic blends in | Nearly invisible |
| Removable | No, fixed to the teeth | Yes, for eating and brushing |
| Food restrictions | Yes — sticky and hard foods | None |
| Typical duration | 18–24 months | 6–18 months |
| Office visits | Every 4–6 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Case range | All case types, including complex | Mild to moderate |
| Depends on you | No — works continuously | Yes — 20–22 hrs/day |
A note on aligner candidacy. Direct-to-consumer aligner companies will accept almost any case because nobody examines you. An orthodontist will turn cases down. If Dr. Beth tells you Invisalign is not right for your bite, that is a clinical judgement made with a 3D scan in front of her — and it is worth listening to.
3D imaging with the iCAT FLX
Before Dr. Beth recommends anything, she looks at your teeth, jawbone and soft tissue in three dimensions using our iCAT FLX scanner. Conventional two-dimensional X-rays flatten everything into one plane, which hides root angulation, impacted teeth and asymmetries that change the treatment plan.
Practically, this means fewer surprises mid-treatment and a more accurate timeline at the start. It also means you can see what she sees. She reviews the scan on screen with you rather than describing it.
The scan takes seconds, requires nothing in your mouth, and delivers less radiation than a traditional full dental X-ray series.
What treatment looks like, start to finish
Free consultation
Photos, a 3D iCAT scan, and an exam with Dr. Beth. About an hour. You leave with a written plan, a timeline and an exact fee.
Records and planning
Your case is mapped in detail. For aligners, this includes a digital simulation of the projected result before anything is manufactured.
Placement or first aligners
Braces are bonded in a single appointment once your dentist has cleared you. Invisalign trays arrive roughly four weeks after the lab scan.
Adjustments
Every four to eight weeks depending on the treatment. Short visits. We hold early-morning and after-school slots for school-age patients.
Debond and retention
Braces come off, or your final aligner comes out, and you move straight into retainers. This step is where results are kept or lost.
Orthodontic treatment FAQ
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
Both complete dental school, but an orthodontist then completes an additional accredited residency — three years in Dr. Beth’s case — devoted entirely to tooth movement, jaw growth and bite correction. General dentists may offer aligners; orthodontists practise tooth movement exclusively. For complex bites, that difference in training matters.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most Invisalign cases finish in six to eighteen months. Comprehensive braces generally run eighteen to twenty-four months. An early Phase 1 course is usually nine to eighteen months. Dr. Beth gives you a projected timeline in writing at your consultation, based on your actual scan.
Am I too old for braces?
No. Teeth move at any age because the biological process that moves them does not stop. Roughly one in four orthodontic patients today is an adult. Treatment can take slightly longer in adults since the bone is denser, but the results are equally durable.
Does orthodontic treatment hurt?
Expect mild pressure or tenderness for a day or two after braces are placed, after each adjustment, and when switching to a new aligner. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually more than enough, and it fades quickly. Sharp or persistent pain is not normal — call us if that happens.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can book a free consultation directly, online or by calling (702) 706-2468. A referral is not required in Nevada and it will not change your fee. Many patients are referred by their general dentist, but plenty simply book themselves.
Can I transfer my treatment from another orthodontist?
Yes, we accept transfer patients mid-treatment. Bring your records or have your previous office send them, and Dr. Beth will review where your case stands before quoting the remaining treatment. Moves and insurance changes happen; you should not have to start over.
What happens if I lose a retainer or break a bracket?
Call the office. Loose brackets are common and usually fixed in a short visit. Lost retainers should be replaced quickly, because teeth begin drifting within days — the longer you wait, the more likely the replacement will not fit.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost in Las Vegas?
Cost depends on case complexity and treatment length, so we quote an exact figure at your free consultation rather than publishing a range that may not apply to you. We offer monthly financing at 0% APR with no credit check, accept CareCredit, and apply your orthodontic insurance benefit first.
You will see Dr. Beth at every single visit
Beth’s Braces is a single practice, not a group with rotating providers. The person who plans your treatment is the person who adjusts it, start to finish.
Our assistants have been here the better part of a decade, so they know your case without pulling the chart. English, Tagalog and German are all spoken at the desk.
Not sure which option fits? That is what the consult is for.
A free hour with Dr. Beth, a 3D scan, and a written plan with real numbers. No pressure to decide that day.