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FAQ: Orthodontics in Santa Rosa, CA

  • Find answers to your questions about braces, Invisalign and airway orthodontics for kids and adults.

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Frequently asked questions

Click on any question below to see the answer. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, we’re always happy to talk! Call 07-525-1180 or book a consultation and visit our Santa Rosa offices. It’s 100% free of cost or obligation!

3D printed braces

How are 3D printed braces different from traditional metal braces?

Unlike traditional metal brackets, 3D printed braces are made from clear or tooth-colored materials that blend seamlessly with your appearance. And while metal braces are one-size-fits-all, 3D printed braces are created from digital scans of your teeth to exactly fit each one’s unique anatomy. This precise fit allows for better control of tooth movement and shorter overall treatment duration – 30-40% less than old-school metal braces.

This digital-orthodontics approach also lets your orthodontist use specialized software to visualize your future smile on a computer screen for you to preview.

Actually, no. At Lynskey Orthodontics, we do not charge our patients more for our custom LightForce braces. In fact, because of the additional appointments required for metal braces and longer overall treatment times, metal braces end up costing more.

Most kiddos start orthodontic treatment between ages 8-to 14.

No! The teeth can be realigned at any age to improve both their function and appearance. Our 3D printed braces for adults can fix misalignment, gaps, and tooth wear, leading to better oral health and increased confidence – regardless of your age.
Most people complete braces in 12–24 months, depending on the complexity of the orthodontic issue. 3D-printed braces can shorten treatment for many patients by 30-40%.
The 3D-printed brackets are attached with a dental adhesive that is specially formulated for orthodontic use and safe for your teeth. When applied and removed properly by an expert orthodontist, it will not damage the tooth enamel.
Invisalign aligners are removable and nearly invisible, but may not suit cases requiring more complex tooth control. There is also the convenience factor: Invisalign requires daily tasks like cleaning and storing when not in use. 3D printed customized brackets, being fixed, work consistently and are ideal for patients who want a low-maintenance option without needing to remove, maintain, and reinsert aligners every day.

Invisalign

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign clear aligners are an alternative to braces. Rather than being fixed to the teeth, Invisalign uses a series of removable transparent aligners that are 3D printed from digital impressions of your teeth. They fit precisely for comfort and are nearly invisible when worn.

Each aligner is worn for 20 to 22 hours a day for approximately two weeks, and then a new aligner is printed. Each aligner makes small adjustments to tooth position, gently and gradually moving them into the desired alignment.

Invisalign aligners can be removed for meals, oral hygiene, or special events, providing convenience and control throughout the treatment.

Most patients finish Invisalign in 12-18 months, depending on the complexity of the orthodontic issue and if they are able to wear them for the necessary 20-22 hours per day.

Mild discomfort is common when switching to a new aligner, but this means they are effectively shifting the teeth and creating a beautiful smile! The discomfort usually fades after a day, and patients can use an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, but most people manage without it.Typically people say they feel weird or annoying, not painful.

Cleaning Invisalign aligners is simple: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with clear, unscented soap to keep them clean. The aligners should be cleaned daily, ideally with teeth brushing. But do not use toothpaste – it’s abrasive and can scratch or cloud the Invisalign material. And avoid using hot water, as it can warp the aligner’s shape, which has been customized to the teeth and gums.

Choosing Invisalign instead of braces usually comes down to treatment scope, lifestyle, and aesthetics:
  • Treatment scope: Invisalign effectively treats many common orthodontic issues but may not be suitable for more complex cases. For those, braces can offer more precision and control.
  • Lifestyle: Invisalign are removable, allowing the user to eat, drink, brush, floss, and enjoy normal activities without the conspicuous nature of permanently-attached braces.
  • Esthetics: Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible – often a key factor for those concerned about appearance during their orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign runs from $3,300 to $7,400 depending upon the complexity of the case.

Airway orthodontics

What is airway orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics combines dental alignment with a holistic focus on respiratory efficiency and the resulting health benefits. While braces and Invisalign focus on straightening teeth and correcting bite issues for esthetic and functional purposes, airway orthodontics targets underlying airway development and obstructions that can impact breathing, sleep quality, and overall health. In children, the impacts can also include facial and cognitive development.

Addressing airway-related concerns, particularly in children and teens, supports healthy development and enhances overall quality of life.

Airway orthodontics includes evaluating conditions that affect breathing. Factors such as narrow jaws and jaw alignment, tongue position, and the size of oral and nasal passages can all impact airway volume and breathing efficiency.

Common interventions include palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, surgery to remove obstructive tissue and align the jaw, or myofunctional therapy (exercises for the tongue, cheeks, and throat muscles) to improve tongue posture and breathing patterns.

Yes, when a child’s airway is compromised, the resulting breathing problems can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, which can cause excessive daytime fatigue. This lack of restful sleep negatively impacts their ability to focus and maintain attention, frequently resulting in noticeable behavioral challenges such as irritability, hyperactivity, or difficulty managing emotions.

If airway problems are not properly addressed, a child may experience persistent sleep disturbances like sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). SDB is an umbrella term for poor-quality breathing during sleep, typically causing snoring and tossing and turning. OSA – sleep apnea – is a more dangerous blockage of the airway during sleep, usually followed by gasping and brief waking. OSA is often cyclical, preventing restful sleep throughout the night.

Both of these conditions reduce oxygen intake during rest and oxygen levels in the brain. This can result in delays to a child’s cognitive and developmental milestones. Over time, there is risk of serious health complications including stunted physical development and chronic cardiovascular problems. These effects underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to support a child’s healthy breathing, healthy development, and overall well-being.

Yes, airway orthodontics offers potential relief for adults experiencing restricted breathing, sleep apnea, jaw misalignment, a narrow palate, or other airway concerns that are impacting sleep quality and general health.

Airway orthodontics for adults differs primarily due to developmental and anatomical factors. In children, whose facial bones are still growing and more malleable, airway orthodontics focuses on guiding jaw development and expanding the palate early to prevent or reduce airway obstruction. This early intervention can promote better long-term airway health and facial development.

Adult airway orthodontic treatments happen after facial growth is complete and bones are less flexible. Our adult airway patients often require more advanced techniques, such as jaw surgery, to expand the airway and correct alignment. So while airway orthodontics for children is primarily preventative, the focus for adults is on correction and management of existing airway conditions, like sleep apnea, that require integrated care beyond orthodontics alone.

A palatal expander is a small appliance placed across the roof of the mouth between the upper molars. It gradually exerts gentle outward pressure to widen the nasal passages and may improve nasal airflow. This can fix problems associated with a too-narrow upper jaw, such as a restricted airway or tooth crowding and alignment issues.

Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is used when orthodontics alone cannot correct complex jaw and airway problems. Jaw surgery can establish a well-aligned skeletal foundation for airway-focused orthodontics, such as Invisalign, braces, and expanders.

At Lynskey Orthodontics, we collaborate closely with the best local and Bay Area oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons for our airway patients needing significant jaw structure adjustments.

Myofunctional therapy trains the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to improve breathing, swallowing, speech, and dental alignment. It uses exercises to correct the mouth’s muscle function and posture, promoting healthier oral and facial habits.

Yes, airway orthodontics can play a role in treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by widening the upper jaw and expanding the nasal floor, which can increase oxygen flow during sleep.

Note that airway orthodontics alone is not a treatment for sleep apnea. Diagnosis and management of sleep apnea require medical professionals, and orthodontic care can complement these efforts by addressing airway issues when the cause of obstruction is related to jaw and dental alignment.

Early orthodontics

What is two-phase orthodontic treatment?

This is the medical term for orthodontic care for children, delivered in two stages to optimize their dental and facial development. The two-phase approach combines early intervention to detect and correct foundational issues with later detailed alignment for a healthy airway and esthetically pleasing smile.

Phase 1, or early orthodontics, typically begins around age seven, when a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth and their jaw and palate are still developing. The goal is to guide jaw growth to create space for permanent teeth and maximize airway efficiency and bite alignment.

Phase 2 starts around age 11, once most permanent teeth have appeared. The focus is on the final, detailed alignment of the teeth. Phase 2 uses more comprehensive orthodontic treatment, often with full braces or aligners, to straighten teeth, refine bite, and complete the alignment process.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends early orthodontic assessment around age seven. This is when adult teeth begin to emerge, and we can detect early signs of crowding, bite problems, extra or missing permanent teeth, airway concerns, or growth issues. Having your child assessed before age seven is also recommended if you notice excessive snoring or mouth breathing.

To catch potential problems as early as possible, when the jaws are still developing and adult teeth are emerging. Most kids won’t need braces this young, however assessment around age seven can give parents peace of mind and a plan for the future. If there are alignment concerns, solutions like braces for kids or palatal expanders can guide the development of the teeth and jaw while the child is still growing.

Early orthodontic care can prevent more complex treatment later and helps you plan for any future orthodontic needs for your child. This leads to overall healthier teeth and makes any subsequent treatment easier and shorter.

Early orthodontic issues show up as:
  • Crowded or overlapping teeth
  • Bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • Mouth breathing
  • Restless sleep or snoring
  • Excessive fatigue or difficulty focusing
An early orthodontic assessment for your child will investigate these symptoms by checking their tooth and jaw alignment, palate width, tongue posture, growth patterns, and breathing efficiency.

General info and financing

Who is Dr. Victoria Lynskey?

Dr. Lynskey was born in New Zealand and educated in the US, earning a Master’s Degree and Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Connecticut in 1999. She opened Lynskey Orthodontics in Santa Rosa, California in 2003. Since then, she has established herself as one of the most experienced orthodontists for adults and children in the Bay Area, with three decades of clinical expertise and seven years as Professor of Orthodontics at UC San Francisco.

Dr. Lynskey is currently supported by a team of seven at Lynskey Orthodontics in Santa Rosa. Lynskey Orthodontics is Sonoma County’s only digital, custom orthodontic specialist, committed to using the latest technologies to make treatment faster, more comfortable, and more precise.

Digital orthodontics uses advanced technology like 3D scanning and printing to create more precise, efficient, and comfortable tooth alignment procedures. The technology enables treatments like clear aligners and 3D printed braces that fit each person’s unique dental structures. This is combined with remote monitoring to accurately assess progress without the need for in-person visits.
  • Precision: Digital models eliminate human error from traditional impressions, allowing for highly customized treatment plans.
  • Comfort: Digital impressions eliminate the need for unpleasant physical impression materials (biting into a putty-filled mold), making the process quicker and easier.
  • Efficiency: Faster scanning and planning, plus the ability to virtually preview and review results, can shorten overall treatment time.
  • Better Communication: Patients can see their treatment progress on screen, improving understanding and engagement.
These benefits of modern digital orthodontics can be had for the same cost as old-school metal braces, but with much less disruption to the patient’s life.
Yes, Dr. Lynskey is one of the most experienced pediatric orthodontic experts in the Bay Area. She has treated thousands of children with braces, Invisalign, and airway procedures.

No, healthy adults of any age can benefit from orthodontics. Many adults see Dr. Lynskey for bite issues, shifting teeth, or cosmetic improvements, and local Santa Rosa and Sonoma County dentists refer patients to her for tooth movement prior to placement of implants or tooth replacement after extractions.

No, no referral is needed – a complimentary consultation can be scheduled directly with our Santa Rosa office.

After our patients’ orthodontic treatment begins, most checkups happen virtually using our DentalMonitoring tool, meaning they only need to come to our office a couple of times throughout the treatment.

The Dental Monitoring platform allows our patients to submit digital scans of their teeth from home or on the go using their smartphone and a simple attachment. The technology provides convenient remote dental care and timely feedback without the need for frequent in-office visits. Benefits include the almost complete elimination of unnecessary travel (Dr. Lynskey can see if an in-person visit is required or not), shorter overall treatment time, and far less disruption to the patient’s schedule.

Yes, we offer multiple payment options:

You can take advantage of our 0% in-office payment plans or use our third-party partner, Cherry Financing. This way, you can make a down payment to begin your orthodontic treatment right away and secure your treatment plan.

If you’re covered by insurance, we are in-network with PPO dental insurance plans, and we’ll file your claims and accept assignment of benefits (AOB).

Alternatively, you can pay in full and receive a bookkeeping courtesy discount of up to 5%.

Conveniently located at

  • Just minutes from Skyhawk, Fountaingrove, and Junior College neighborhoods