Braces probably aren’t a new idea to you. Maybe you had them as a kid, or your own child needs them now, or you’re an adult who’s finally ready to deal with a smile that’s bothered you for years. Whatever brought you here, here’s the thing worth knowing before you book anywhere: braces only work as well as the diagnosis behind them.
At Coastal Orthodontics, braces are never just about straightening what’s visible. Dr. Kaur builds every plan around why your teeth shifted in the first place, so the result actually holds once the brackets come off.
Braces for Kids
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first checkup by age 7. Early treatment guides proper jaw growth, creates room for emerging permanent teeth, and reduces the need for more complex treatment later on.
Braces for Teens
Designed with 3D precision, LightForce braces deliver a custom fit tailored to your teen’s teeth. That means fewer office visits, shorter treatment times, and minimal disruption to sports, band, and school schedules.
Braces for Adults
It is never too late to achieve a healthy, confident smile. Our adult custom braces offer tooth-colored bracket options, streamlined appointment scheduling, and gentle alignment designed to fit your busy lifestyle.
What Custom Braces Are and Who They’re For
Braces use brackets and wires to gradually move your teeth into a healthier position. At Coastal Orthodontics, those brackets are custom 3D-printed to fit each individual tooth, rather than a one-size-fits-most shape forced into place. That precision tends to mean a more comfortable fit and a plan that tracks closer to what was originally mapped out.
Braces work well for kids who’ve outgrown early treatment and need full correction, for teens managing a more involved bite or jaw case, and for adults who want a fixed option rather than removable trays. If you’re not sure whether braces or clear aligners make more sense for your situation, our clear aligners page breaks down how the two compare.
Some patients need braces because of straightforward crowding. Others come in after a previous consultation elsewhere left their case unresolved or with a bite that’s more complex than a first look would suggest. Both are exactly the kind of case this practice is built around.
How Treatment Works From Start to Finish
Before any bracket goes on, Dr. Kaur takes a full picture of your bite using 3D imaging. She’s looking at your jaw, your airway, and how your teeth actually fit together, not just the crowding that’s easy to see in a mirror. That step is what separates a plan built to last from one that’s just cosmetic.
From there, she maps out exactly how your teeth need to move and places brackets custom-fit to that plan. You’ll come in every several weeks for adjustments, where wires get tightened or changed to keep everything moving on schedule. If your case involves a narrower arch, she’ll look first at whether expansion can create the room your teeth need, rather than defaulting to pulling teeth to make space.
Most patients settle into a rhythm with checkups fairly quickly. Brushing and eating take a little getting used to at first, but it becomes routine faster than people expect.
Why Coastal Orthodontics Approaches Braces Differently
Here’s what makes the difference: Dr. Kaur completed a fellowship in cleft lip and palate and surgical orthodontics at Case Western Reserve University, and she currently serves as a craniofacial orthodontist for CHKD. That training means she reads a bite for what’s causing it, not just what it looks like, which changes how she plans treatment from day one.
That root-cause approach also shapes how she uses expansion. Whenever a narrow arch can be widened instead of extracting permanent teeth, that’s the path she’ll take, because keeping your natural teeth in place tends to mean more room and fewer regrets down the road. It’s the same standard behind her own words: she wants to see her patients at 7 and still see them at 40, with no relapse.
You’ll also never feel rushed through a decision about your own treatment. Patients consistently say they left every visit understanding exactly what was happening in their mouth and why, with nothing glossed over and nothing left unexplained.
What to Expect During Treatment
The first week or two with braces usually comes with some soreness as your teeth start adjusting to the pressure. That’s normal, and it fades quickly for most patients. You’ll get guidance on what to eat and how to keep everything clean so nothing gets in the way of your progress.
Checkups happen roughly every four to six weeks, where Dr. Kaur adjusts your wires and confirms your teeth are tracking the way the plan intended. If something needs to shift, she’ll catch it early instead of waiting until it becomes a bigger issue.
How long treatment takes depends entirely on what your case needs. Dr. Kaur will give you a realistic timeline once she’s reviewed your imaging, not a generic number that sounds good but doesn’t apply to your actual bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do braces cost in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake?
Cost depends on the complexity of your case and how long treatment is expected to take. Coastal Orthodontics offers flexible financing and can coordinate with insurance where it applies, and many patients find the actual cost is lower than they assumed going in.
What makes custom 3D-printed braces different from regular braces?
Each bracket is 3D-printed to fit the shape of your individual tooth, rather than a standard bracket adjusted to fit as best it can. That custom fit often means a more comfortable experience and a plan that tracks more precisely to what was mapped out.
Are braces better than clear aligners for my case?
It depends on what your bite needs, not personal preference alone. Dr. Kaur will tell you honestly which option fits your specific case after reviewing your imaging, rather than steering you toward one by default.
My child or I already saw another orthodontist and the case felt unresolved. Can you help?
Often, yes. Dr. Kaur’s craniofacial and surgical training means she regularly takes on cases that felt too complicated somewhere else, and her imaging frequently finds a cause that a straightening-only exam missed.
How often do I need to come in for adjustments?
Most patients come in every four to six weeks for wire adjustments and progress checks. Sticking to that schedule helps keep your treatment on track and lets Dr. Kaur catch anything that needs attention early.
Will I need teeth pulled to make room for braces?
Not necessarily. Dr. Kaur looks first at whether expansion can create the space
Ready to Get a Plan Built Around Your Actual Bite?
If braces have been on your mind for a while, or you’ve already tried one consultation that left you with more questions than answers, this is the place to get a straight answer. Dr. Kaur will look past the crowding to what’s really going on and build a plan around it.
Schedule your braces consultation at our Virginia Beach or Chesapeake office today.