Everything you need to know before, during and after your smile journey.
Board-certified orthodontist & Diamond Invisalign® Provider serving Southwest Houston since 2011. Care in English, Mandarin, and Spanish.
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed advanced specialized training to straighten teeth, improve your bite, and guide the development of the jaws and face. Orthodontists use treatments such as traditional braces, clear braces, and Invisalign® clear aligners to straighten crowded, crooked, spaced, or improperly positioned teeth and improve the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Orthodontic treatment is about more than creating a straight smile – it can improve the appearance, function, and alignment of your teeth. Straightening crowded or crooked teeth can make them easier to brush and floss, while correcting bite problems can improve chewing and contribute to long-term oral health. Depending on your individual needs, orthodontic treatment may also help guide jaw development and create a healthier, more stable bite.
Signs that you or your child may benefit from orthodontic treatment include crowded or crooked teeth, noticeable spaces between teeth, teeth that stick out, or a bite that does not fit together properly. Problems such as an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite may also indicate a need for orthodontic evaluation. Difficulty chewing, difficulty cleaning certain teeth, or concerns about jaw growth can be additional reasons to schedule a consultation.
Even when teeth appear relatively straight, there may be underlying bite or jaw issues that are not easy to see. An orthodontic evaluation can determine whether treatment is recommended.
A board-certified orthodontist has completed residency in an accredited orthodontic program and has elected to complete a rigorous written and clinical examination by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Aileen Wang has been certified by the American Board of Orthodontics since 2011 and brings over 14 years of clinical experience. Board certification is an honor held by fewer than one in three practicing orthodontists and reflects an ongoing commitment to the highest standards of care.
You may find a list of board certified orthodontists near you by visiting the American Board of Orthodontics website at https://www.americanboardortho.com/patients/orthodontist-loc
Our team provides multilingual, multicultural care in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, so every patient and family feels seen, heard, and understood throughout treatment.
We combine board-certified expertise, advanced digital technology, and genuinely personalized care. Dr. Wang grew up in Southwest Houston and remains an active supporter of local schools and community programs — we’re not just in the neighbourhood, we’re part of it.
We offer flexible payment plans.
We accept most insurances and are in network with major insurance providers including Cigna, Delta, and United Health Care.
We offer a comprehensive range of services: traditional metal braces, clear aligners Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen® Phase I treatment, expansion treatment.
Traditional braces use brackets and wires fixed to the teeth and are highly effective across a wide range of cases. Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners that are nearly invisible and can be taken out to eat and brush. At your complimentary consultation, Dr. Wang will recommend the option best suited to your goals, lifestyle, and clinical needs.
The best option depends on your bite, your goals, and your lifestyle. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter care — we begin with a conversation to understand your smile, then use digital scanning and 3D imaging to design a precision treatment plan. Book a free consultation to find out which option fits you best.
Braces move teeth by applying gentle, controlled pressure over time. Brackets are attached to the teeth and connected with orthodontic wires that gradually guide the teeth into their desired positions. In some cases, elastics are also used to help correct the bite.
Braces generally do not cause significant pain, although it is normal for your teeth to feel sore or sensitive for a few days after braces are placed or adjusted. This temporary discomfort typically becomes easier to manage as you get used to your braces.
Braces move teeth by applying gentle, controlled pressure over time. Brackets are attached to the teeth and connected with orthodontic wires that gradually guide the teeth into their desired positions. In some cases, elastics are also used to help correct the bite.
Braces generally do not cause significant pain, although it is normal for your teeth to feel sore or sensitive for a few days after braces are placed or adjusted. This temporary discomfort typically becomes easier to manage as you get used to your braces.
Most patients wear braces for approximately 18 to 24 months, but treatment time varies from person to person. The complexity of your orthodontic problem, how your teeth respond to treatment, your age, and how well you follow your orthodontist’s instructions can all affect treatment time.
Most patients who need orthodontic treatment will not need teeth removed or jaw surgery.
In some cases, overcrowding or protrusion of teeth can require tooth extraction to create enough space to properly align the remaining teeth or to bring teeth back.
Some patients with significant differences in jaw size or position may require orthognathic corrective jaw surgery in addition to orthodontic treatment. This is generally considered when the position of the jaws cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone.
Keeping your teeth clean is especially important while wearing braces because brackets and wires can create additional areas where food and plaque can collect. Brush carefully around your brackets and along the gumline, and clean between your teeth every day using floss or an orthodontic flossing aid recommended by your dental team.
You should also continue seeing your regular dentist for routine cleanings and dental checkups while you are in orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist and general dentist have different roles and work together to help keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment.
Some patients with significant differences in jaw size or position may require orthognathic corrective jaw surgery in addition to orthodontic treatment. This is generally considered when the position of the jaws cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone.
While wearing braces, you should avoid foods that are very hard, sticky, or difficult to chew because they can damage brackets and wires. This includes chewing gum, ice, and very hard or crunchy foods.
You do not have to give up all of your favorite foods. Hard fruits and vegetables can often be enjoyed by cutting them into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into them. If a bracket or wire becomes loose or breaks, contact our office for guidance rather than attempting to fix it yourself.
We provide orthodontic care for patients of all ages — children, teens, and adults. Many adult patients choose Invisalign® for a more discreet experience.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, an orthodontist can assess the developing teeth, bite, and jaws and determine whether early treatment or monitoring is appropriate.
Seeing an orthodontist at age 7 does not mean your child will need braces right away. In many cases, the best approach is to monitor growth and tooth development and begin treatment when the timing is most beneficial. Teens and adults can also receive successful orthodontic treatment, so it is never too late to schedule an evaluation.
Phase I orthodontic treatment, also called early orthodontic treatment, takes place while a child still has some baby teeth and permanent teeth. It may be recommended when an orthodontist identifies a developing problem involving tooth eruption, crowding, jaw growth, or the bite that could benefit from treatment at an earlier age.
Phase I treatment targets a specific list of problems. It does not align all the teeth as some teeth are still baby teeth. Comprehensive or Phase II orthodontic treatment at a later age will address general alignment of all the teeth.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment is the full course of orthodontic treatment designed to align the permanent teeth and establish a healthy, functional bite. It is typically performed once most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted and may involve traditional braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign®. It is the final phase.
After your braces or clear aligners are removed, you will need to wear a retainer to help keep your teeth in their new positions. Teeth naturally tend to shift over time, even after successful orthodontic treatment, so retainers are an important part of maintaining your results.
With room temperature water and NON-ABRASIVE toothpaste, use a toothbrush to clean the retainers. Occasionally sterilize with hydrogen peroxide if retainers look cloudy, but do not soak them for longer than 10 minutes.
When your retainers are not in your mouth, keep them in the case provided to prevent them from getting lost or broken. Digging in the trash is no fun!
DO NOT place them in your pocket, purse, backpack, or wrap them in a paper towel.
DO NOT place them in the reach of pets or extreme heat/cold (in the car/under the sun).
Please contact us immediately! Without retainers, your teeth WILL shift. It is best to be seen ASAP for re-impressions. Molds are not reusable and are disposed afterwards
Vivera® retainers will need to be re-ordered by our office.
With proper care, retainers should last 1-3 years. Teeth grinding over time may require earlier replacement. Carefully remove the retainers from your back teeth to prevent cracks.
Gum shrinkage over time, loss of baby teeth, and changes due to dental work.
Inconsistent or insufficient wear, which can lead to slight shifting of teeth. Sometimes, a new retainer or retreatment will be needed.
Your teeth will begin to shift as there will be nothing to hold them in their positions. Re-treatment and additional costs may be needed if there are significant changes.
You are done with the active phase of treatment, but retention is lifetime. We’ll see you as needed for retainer check appointments. We recommend annual check-ins for us to review the retainer’s condition. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our office.
You can book a complimentary consultation by scheduling online here, calling (713) 721-2426, emailing info@wangsmiles.com, or sending a message via our Contact page. Our Scheduling Coordinator will help find a convenient time.
Our office is at 4770 W Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77035, in Southwest Houston near Meyerland. We proudly serve Houston, Bellaire, Meyerland, and West University Place, and we’re a short drive from Trafton Academy, Parker Elementary, Lovett Elementary, Emery Weiner School, Meyerland Middle School, and Bellaire High School.
Monday 9:00am–5:00pm · Tuesday 10:00am–6:00pm · Wednesday 9:00am–5:00pm · Thursday 9:00am–5:00pm. Flexible after-school times are available.
Your first orthodontic appointment is designed to evaluate your teeth, bite, jaws, and overall orthodontic needs. We may take digital photographs, X-rays, or a digital scan when appropriate and will examine how your teeth and jaws fit together.
You will also have an opportunity to discuss your concerns and treatment goals. If treatment is recommended, we will explain the available options, expected treatment time, and next steps. If treatment is not needed yet, you may simply be advised to monitor your growth and return at an appropriate time.
We use iTero® digital scanning, i-CAT® 3D imaging, and digital smile previews. These tools mean more accurate treatment planning, a more comfortable experience, and the ability to preview your future smile.
Scan. Smile. See.™ is our free virtual smile assessment. Scan a QR code with your phone to receive an instant smile preview — it’s easy, private, and completely free. Like what you see? Send your simulation to our clinic through the Contact page for a personalized follow-up.
If it isn’t answered above, ask us directly. Your first consultation is complimentary, and our Scheduling Coordinator will find a time that works — including after-school appointments.
4770 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77035 · Mon 9–5 · Tue 10–6 · Wed & Thu 9–5 · Flexible after-school times available
