A straight, healthy smile has never been more achievable! Braces have been around for over a century, but they’ve come a long way from the days of bulky metal brackets and painfully slow adjustments. Today’s braces are more advanced, more comfortable, and more customizable than ever before. Plus, say goodbye to goopy, uncomfortable dental molds—modern orthodontics make the experience smoother from start to finish.
At Dental Depot in Del City, we offer braces for children, teens, and adults, with treatment options tailored to fit every lifestyle. Whether you want to make a bold statement with colorful brackets or prefer a discreet option, there’s a solution that’s just right for you.
Braces aren’t just about looks—they’re about health, too! Orthodontic treatment helps align your teeth and bite for improved function, speech, and overall oral health. Since braces involve gradual but significant shifts in your teeth, jaw, and soft tissue, it’s important to trust a professional with your care. That’s why all orthodontic treatment at Dental Depot is provided by American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) certified specialists who ensure your treatment is safe, effective, and designed just for you.
The AAO estimates that nearly 50% of people could benefit from orthodontic treatment, and that number isn’t limited to kids! Braces are for anyone who wants to improve their smile, no matter their age.
The AAO recommends scheduling your child’s first orthodontic consultation around age seven—right around the time they start losing baby teeth and gaining permanent ones. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll need braces right away, but it helps orthodontists plan for their future smile. Early interventions, like a palate expander, may be recommended to create enough space for incoming teeth.
Braces are super common for tweens and teens, making middle and high school the most popular time to start treatment. With fun color options, low-profile designs, and faster treatment times than ever before, it’s easy to see why so many young patients are choosing braces.
Think you’re too old for braces? Think again! More adults than ever are straightening their smiles, and the average orthodontic patient at Dental Depot is 27 years old. Whether you’re getting braces for the first time or giving your teeth a refresh after past treatment, we have options that fit your lifestyle—including clear braces and aligners for a more subtle look.
A straight, healthy smile has never been more achievable! Braces have been around for over a century, but they’ve come a long way from the days of bulky metal brackets and painfully slow adjustments. Today’s braces are more advanced, more comfortable, and more customizable than ever before. Plus, say goodbye to goopy, uncomfortable dental molds—modern orthodontics make the experience smoother from start to finish.
At Dental Depot in Del City, we offer braces for children, teens, and adults, with treatment options tailored to fit every lifestyle. Whether you want to make a bold statement with colorful brackets or prefer a discreet option, there’s a solution that’s just right for you.
Dr. Solanch Morales completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University and earned her degree in orthodontics from Nova Southeastern University. She is passionate about creating beautiful smiles and values the relationships she develops with her patients throughout their treatment. Dr. Morales finds joy in the journey of transforming each smile and watching her patients’ personalities blossom.
Her fascination with orthodontics began in middle school, where she was intrigued by how metal braces and colorful rubber bands could transform smiles. As her interest in science deepened and she discovered a passion for working with her hands, shadowing her dentist solidified her decision to pursue a career in dentistry.
Dr. Morales is fortunate to share a deep passion for orthodontics with her older sister, who is also an orthodontist – a family connection that enriches her professional life.
In her free time, Dr. Morales enjoys staying active with exercise, traveling, and spending time outdoors. A big foodie, she loves learning about different cultures and cherishes time spent with family and friends. Fun fact: Dr. Morales has traveled to 27 countries!
Today’s braces are smaller, faster, and smarter than ever. At your consultation, your orthodontist will help you determine which kind of braces are best for you.
At Dental Depot, we have many options available for patients, including:
Damon brackets – Damon brackets, or “traditional” or “metal” braces, are what most people think of when they hear “braces.” These brackets offer patients the most cost-effective orthodontic treatment and allow for customization when it comes to choosing band colors. These brackets come paired with a heat-activated arch wire to help move teeth into place quicker and with less pain.
Ceramic brackets – Ceramic brackets work and function the same as traditional braces, however, they are tooth-colored and some even feature a tooth-colored or neutral-colored wire to minimize the appearance of brackets on the teeth. The only difference between ceramic brackets and traditional metal braces is the appearance, but you can expect ceramic braces to cost a little more.
Lingual braces – Lingual braces bond to the backside of teeth to hide them almost entirely! The downside to lingual braces is that they aren’t for everyone. Lingual braces are much harder to keep clean and treatment takes longer to complete.
Clear aligners – While not technically “braces,” clear aligners are another option – available at all Dental Depots – for patients who don’t want the look of traditional braces.
Consistent, steady force from appliances (either braces or aligners) help shift the teeth to their ideal position over the course of several months. Most treatment times averages between 12-36 months, depending on the age of the patient and the amount and complexity of the movement required. Some orthodontists now recommend children go through two phases of orthodontic treatment, the first more focused on setting the developing mouth up for success, the second on actually moving the permanent teeth into place.
Brackets – Brackets are what you think of when you picture “braces.” The bracket is attached to the tooth using a bonding material to keep it in place. Sometimes the brackets are supported by a band. The archwires fit into tiny doors on the front of the bracket. Brackets also have tiny hooks to help attach any ties or rubber bands to help with tooth movement.
Arch wires – The arch wire is where the magic happens. Made of body-safe metal, this delicate wire has a fixed shape and when it’s placed into the brackets, it shifts to follow the curves of your smile. Overtime the archwire guides the teeth into their new positions. The wire will be replaced with different types of wire throughout your treatment.
Bands – Bands are a thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth, typically a molar, that acts as an anchor for the brackets.
Spacers – Spacers allow orthodontists to zero in on specific movements in the mouth to give teeth a little added guidance.
Elastic Ties – This tiny rubber band helps to hold the archwire in the bracket. These come in a rainbow of colors so you can choose different ties each time they are replaced.
Rubber Bands – Rubber bands, also called elastics, connect brackets using the small ball hooks to provide extra guidance on bringing the teeth and jaw into position. These bands vary in thickness and strength, and come in a variety of fun animal names to help you keep them straight.
One of the many areas of improvement in the orthodontics field has been patient comfort. Today, braces are almost painless. Patients can expect some discomfort or soreness following appointments that involve adjusting appliances, wires, or bands as the teeth are actively moving. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen, taken before and after an appointment, can help minimize discomforts or soreness.
Occasionally a patient may lose a bracket or encounter a pokey wire, and sometimes this can cause pain. Orthodontic wax can help cover pokey wires until you get to your orthodontic office, and broken brackets should be kept in order to bond them back into place. It is important to follow your orthodontist’s guidelines on what you can and can’t eat, as most of these restrictions are in place to limit the breaking and/or dislodging of appliances.
Your orthodontic consultation – including all of the imaging, like x-rays and 3D scans – is free. Our orthodontist will sit down with you to explain your individual treatment plan before you make the decision to commit to orthodontic treatment.
When it comes to costs for braces, cases are split into “comprehensive” and “limited” cases, depending on how much treatment the patient needs. Limited cases start at $3,000 while comprehensive cases range between $5,000 – $6,100.
While most first-time ortho patients will need a comprehensive treatment plan, there’s good news for adults returning for a second round of orthodontics – most of these cases end up being limited.
Dental Depot also offers in-house financing for braces up to 24 months. Additionally, third-party financing is available through Lending Point for longer financing terms.
Some dental insurance plans help cover the cost of braces, so be sure to provide your insurance information to our team prior to your consultation to see if you have orthodontic benefits available.
Patients with Soonercare under the age of 18 can complete a free orthodontic consultation to determine if orthodontic treatment is required. During this consultation, our orthodontic assistant will do an exam to see if the patient meets the criteria set by Soonercare. If the pre-authorization is approved, Soonercare will cover the total cost of orthodontic treatment. If the pre-authorization is denied, our office can help you determine which in-office or third-party financing option is best for you.