Braces & Clear Aligners in Paso Robles & Atascadero
Fast, Flexible Treatment Options
Drs. Laura and Ross Pulver design each plan around your goals using custom LightForce braces, Damon Ultima metal braces, or removable Spark clear aligners.
Flexible financing and two convenient locations in Paso Robles and Atascadero make it simple to start the smile you’ve always wanted.
Palate Expanders
Palatal expanders gently widen the jaw, giving more space for crowded teeth and correcting crossbites, allowing bites to fit together properly and airways to clear. North County Orthodontics offers custom 3D-printed upper and lower expanders and MARPEs (mini-implant-assisted upper expanders).
What Is an Expander?
A palatal expander is a small device that sits against the roof of the mouth in the upper jaw or behind the front teeth in the lower jaw. A small expander key is used to turn the expander that widens the device by fractions of a millimeter each day. In younger kids, the two halves of the upper palate are not yet fused, so they move apart quickly.
Late teens and adults may need a MARPE, which anchors the expander to mini-implants for added strength. We also print fully custom expanders on our 3D printer for a lighter, lower-profile feel.
All of our expanders are custom made using 3D printed bands so that we no longer have to use separators for the expander to fit between teeth. This step was the most uncomfortable part about expanders, not the expanders themselves. With our 3D printed expanders, we have solved that issue!
Why are Expanders Recommended?
- Creates space naturally: Widening the jaw in young kids can avoid future tooth extractions by giving crowded teeth room to erupt properly.
- Improves airway & breathing: In many children and some adults, widening the upper arch can also widen the nasal cavity. This may reduce nasal airflow resistance, making it easier to breathe through the nose and, in some cases, improving sleep quality.
- Speeds later treatment: Expanding first often shortens braces or aligner treatment time and helps support long-term alignment of the teeth.
Airway Orthodontics
Breathe Better, Grow Better
Healthy breathing supports healthy growth. Our airway-focused treatments aim to widen the upper arch and guide jaw position, which can help some patients breathe easier, sleep more soundly, and smile with confidence.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics considers how jaw size, tongue posture, and tooth position affect breathing. Drs. Ross and Laura Pulver use digital scans to identify narrow arches, deep bites, or retruded jaws that may contribute to airway constriction.
Treatment options can include expanders, braces, or clear aligners designed to create more space for the tongue and improve oral posture.
Why Support the Airway?
- Better sleep & energy: Wider arches and improved jaw position can help reduce mouth-breathing and, in some cases, snoring—supporting focus at school and work.
- Healthier facial development: Guiding jaw growth early can promote balanced profiles and help lips close comfortably.
- Smile stability: When the tongue rests properly against the roof of the mouth, it can support long-term alignment of the teeth.
Retainers
Keep Your Smile in Line
Types of Retainers at North County Orthodontics
Drs. Ross and Laura Pulver create custom-fit versions of all three major types of retainers:
- Clear Retainers
- Removable and nearly invisible, these snug trays are molded to each tooth. They're our go-to because they do the best job preventing movement and are surprisingly comfortable.
Heads-up: Because they’re clear, they can disappear in places like lunchrooms. Using toothpaste can scratch them, and they may wear faster if you grind.
- Removable and nearly invisible, these snug trays are molded to each tooth. They're our go-to because they do the best job preventing movement and are surprisingly comfortable.
- Hawley Retainers
- Classic and built to last, these use acrylic and wire for durability. They’re removable, customizable—think fun colors or glitter—and easy to clean with toothpaste or denture cleaner.
- Keep in mind: The metal wire is visible, and they may feel bulky at first. Pets also see them as chew toys—so be careful!
- Fixed (Bonded) Retainers
- Glued discreetly behind your front teeth, these stay in place 24/7, so you never forget them and others can’t see them.
- A few things to watch for: Cleaning takes extra care (floss threader required) and food can get caught. If bent, the wire might cause unwanted movement.
Retainers Are for Life
Keeping your new smile is a long-term commitment—because “LIFE HAPPENS.” Retainers can be lost, damaged, or stop fitting properly after dental work—and yes, even pets sometimes chew them! We’ve got two great ways to keep you covered:
- 6-Year Retainer Program
- Up to 4 replacements every year
- $675 or three easy payments of $225
- $20 copay per replacement
- Extra Set at Debond
- Get an extra set of retainers right when braces or attachments for clear aligners come off
- Just $300 due at debond
Orthodontic FAQs
How young can my child start a palatal expander?
We typically recommend an orthodontic evaluation around age 7, which gives Drs. Laura and Ross a clear view of how your child's jaw and bite are developing. If the upper jaw appears narrow, early expansion—during the growth phase when the jawbone is still forming—tends to be more efficient and comfortable. That said, every child grows differently. We’ll review dental development, growth patterns, and the mid-palatal suture (the joint between the two halves of the palate) before deciding if—and when—a palate expander is the right choice.