Braces
Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can impact the look and function of your smile. Fortunately, Dr. Sooyeon Ahn specializes in orthodontics and can use braces to straighten even the most severe cases of misalignment.
Learn how the team at Han & Ahn in McLean, VA, can transform your smile with this trusted orthodontic solution.
How Braces Work A Brief Overview
Orthodontics refers to the treatment of irregularities in the teeth and jaws — and braces are one of the most well-known solutions in the field. Braces use brackets, wires, and bands to gently guide your teeth into proper alignment over time. Our orthodontist, Dr. Ahn, will periodically adjust the braces to ensure the right amount of pressure is being applied to each tooth and the treatment is coming along as intended.
Your total treatment time will depend on the severity of your misalignment. When you visit us to explore this orthodontic option, Dr. Ahn can consult you on how long you can expect to wear them.
Watch Braces Transform a Crooked Smile
Explore the Benefits of Braces
Braces and other types of orthodontics can offer several benefits, including:
Improved Oral Health
Overlapping or crowded teeth can make it challenging to brush and floss effectively. Straightening your teeth makes it easier to maintain a good oral health routine, both at home and when you visit our dentistry practice for a cleaning.
A Uniform Smile
From picture days to company presentations and everything in between, tooth misalignment can make you dread the times you’d want to smile wide. Braces from Dr. Ahn can transform your self-confidence.
Pain Relief
A misaligned bite can cause pain and result in temporomandibular joint disorder. Addressing misalignment can ease or prevent headaches and other forms of discomfort.
What Patients Are Saying About Our Dentistry Practice in McLean, VA
M Davis
McLean, VA
2024
I always have an amazing experience at Han and Ahn Dental clinic! both Dr. Ahn and Dr. Ahn are not just skilled dentists but also incredibly compassionate. The personalized care and gentle approach make my visit comfortable and stress-free…From scheduling to insurance details, they handle it all with efficiency and a warm smile. Their dedication create a welcoming vibe that adds to the positive experience. I Highly recommend Han and Ahn Dental for top-notch dental care and a shout-out to all of the team for making every interaction a delight. Grateful to have found such a fantastic team!
View on GoogleSusan G
McLean, VA
2023
Our entire family goes to Dr. Han and Ahn for our dental care. They have been taking care of our two little boys since they first started getting their baby teeth. They are TRULY the most capable team we know, and they are THE BEST with children. We truly LOVE this office and their staff. We will never go anywhere else!
View on GoogleAre Crooked Teeth Holding You Back? Our McLean, VA, Team Is Here for You
Bite or misalignment issues can put your oral health at risk and cause you to hide your smile — that’s where we step in. Our Ivy League–trained orthodontist has experience helping patients just like you achieve their goals with braces and other solutions at our dental office in McLean, VA.
Whether you’re new to the area or are simply looking for a new dentistry or orthodontics provider for you and your family, we’re here to help. To request a consultation, get in touch with us or call
(703) 356-7001
The Benefits of Visiting Dr. Ahn For Your Braces
Choosing Dr. Ahn instead of a dentist means that you can receive specialized treatment, as well as care from a trusted team. Some of the advantages of receiving braces at our McLean office include:
Same-Day Adjustments
Even in stressful situations, our orthodontist is here to help. Whenever possible, we feature same-day treatment for braces emergencies. After all, you and your family come first.
Additional Cosmetic Options
Once your braces treatment is complete, we can also treat aesthetic dentistry concerns like staining and cracks. Our team can even put together a smile design plan with options like teeth whitening, gum contouring, and veneers.
Board Certification
As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Ahn has successfully undergone rigorous training and testing on orthodontics from a board of her peers. Not all orthodontists make the grade — or even try at all.
Thinking of Getting Braces for Your Child? Listen to This Thankful Parent's Story
“Dr. Ahn is just amazing! I strongly recommend her to anyone who needs braces. She is not just knowledgeable and experienced, she is very flexible, kind and patient with my teenager boy…He just got his braces removed yesterday and it's just perfect and my son was very happy with the result. She and the staff are just wonderful and I cannot say enough about them.” Terri Yoon
Are Braces Eligible for Dental Insurance?
Yes, they are eligible for dental insurance coverage — and so is Invisalign®. Why? Many patients see braces simply as a way to improve their confidence, but that's not the full picture.
Dentists and orthodontists know that braces can also make it easier for you to care for your teeth. As a result, you may be able to prevent cavities and gum disease, because you can floss and brush more easily.
Our practice takes all PPO insurance plans to cover part or all of our McLean, VA, braces patients' costs. We can confirm if we take yours ahead of time.
Types of Braces We Offer At Our Mclean, VA, Practice
Our orthodontist provides both traditional and clear ceramic braces.
Traditional metal braces use brackets made of medical-grade stainless steel and offer incredible durability. When it comes to orthodontics that can address severe misalignment, these types of braces are among the most reliable and cost-effective solutions.
These braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets — made from a special transparent ceramic — attached to the surface of your teeth with metal or tooth-colored wires and rubber bands. Clear braces are less noticeable than their all-metal counterparts.
Comparing Braces and Invisalign
Unlike years ago, orthodontics is no longer limited to braces: our practice also offers Invisalign. Your orthodontist will discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option and which solution is best for your smile. Here are some distinct advantages of getting braces at our practice:
Treating Severe Misalignment
Invisalign is designed to address mild to moderate misalignment; more complex cases are best treated with braces, as they can exert the pressure on the teeth necessary to achieve a straight, symmetrical smile.
Minimizing Responsibility
Invisalign requires you to wear clear aligners at least 22 hours a day, and refrain from eating and drinking when wearing them. While there are some do’s and don’ts for braces, they are relatively hands-off; you never need to worry about losing them or forgetting to put them back in after meals.
Subtly Straightening Teeth
Invisalign is not suitable for everyone, but you don't have to give up on the idea of a discreet solution. We feature clear ceramic braces, which blend in better with your natural enamel than traditional brackets and wires. This option may not be available at other McLean practices, but ours is proud to offer a subtle twist on braces.
Are You a Good Candidate for Braces?
Braces are a suitable treatment for both adults and younger patients. However, they are most often recommended to teenagers, whose teeth have fully developed but whose bones are still malleable enough to allow for realignment of the teeth.
In some cases, early intervention for orthodontics may be required for even younger patients with severe bite and alignment issues. Typically, we can determine if a child is going to have an overbite, underbite, or crowded teeth by their seventh birthday. Because the roof of the mouth is still developing, we can also use expanders to make more room for teeth, if necessary. If these more severe problems are not corrected during childhood, teens and adults may require a longer treatment timeline or even tooth extractions later in life.
A Closer Look at This Orthodontic Treatment Process
By choosing our board-certified orthodontist over a dentist, you'll work with a doctor specifically trained in areas like bite position.
Caring for Your Braces
In addition to visiting us for regular orthodontic checkups, you can care for your teeth and braces at home. Dr. Ahn will give you more detailed instructions, but you should expect the following:
Brush Regularly
Clean your teeth thoroughly with a brush and toothpaste after each meal to ensure food debris doesn’t get trapped in your braces and cause bacteria to grow.
Floss Once Daily
Floss between each tooth once per day to maintain good oral health during your orthodontic treatment. You may consider investing in a floss threader or water flosser to make things easier.
Steer Clear of Certain Foods
Hard or sticky candies, chewing gum, nuts, corn on the cob, popcorn, and even ice can damage your brackets and wires or become lodged in between your teeth.
Keep an Eye Out for Damage
Be mindful of the condition of your braces. If you notice something amiss or experience discomfort, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with our orthodontist as soon as possible.
More High Praise For Our McLean, VA, Dentistry Practice
mohamed ibragim
McLean, VA
2024
I would easily give this doctor a 5 star, she's been with me and my family ever since I was a little kid worried about the gap between my teeth. Me and my family would never think about going to a different dentist. My dentist always took care of my and my brother's teeth very carefully and always asked if we were in pain. The braces were efficient, and fast and I did not feel any pain.
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Kira Sayarath
McLean, VA
2023
I stumbled upon Dr. Ahn when I was looking for a new orthodontist...She’s very thorough, and patient...Overall, she has just been so wonderful and not only is she a great doctor, she’s also very kind and compassionate.
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