Smiling teen with braces wearing a yellow shirt against a teal background

BRACES

Braces at Beach Braces give children, teens, and adults in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay a reliable way to create a healthier, more confident smile. Led by Dr. Patricia Panucci, Beach Braces provides personalized orthodontic care in a fun, friendly, high-tech environment where each treatment plan is designed around the patient’s smile, bite, comfort, and long-term oral health. Whether a patient needs braces to correct crowding, spacing, bite alignment, or overall tooth position, Beach Braces offers modern options including Empower® Metal Braces, Empower® Clear Braces, and WildSmiles Braces® to make treatment effective, personalized, and comfortable.

Personalized

Every braces treatment plan at Beach Braces is customized by Dr. Panucci to fit the patient’s age, smile goals, orthodontic needs, lifestyle, and preferred treatment style.

Beach Braces offers Empower® self-ligating bracket options, including metal and clear braces, designed to support efficient tooth movement with modern orthodontic technology.

Fun

Beach Braces makes orthodontic treatment more enjoyable with a welcoming office, a caring team, colorful elastic options, and WildSmiles Braces® for patients who want extra personality.

Beach Braces offers Empower® self-ligating braces for patients who want a modern approach to traditional orthodontic treatment. Unlike conventional braces that use elastic ties to hold the wire in place, self-ligating braces use a built-in clip mechanism to help guide tooth movement. This advanced bracket design can support a smoother treatment experience while giving Dr. Panucci precise control over each patient’s smile and bite correction.


Empower® Metal Braces

Empower® Metal Braces are a dependable option for children, teens, and adults who need strong, effective orthodontic treatment. These metal self-ligating brackets are designed with a comfortable, low-profile shape and advanced engineering to help move teeth efficiently. For patients who want a proven braces option with modern performance, Empower Metal Braces offer a great balance of strength, comfort, and precision.


Empower® Clear Braces

Empower® Clear Braces are a more aesthetic option for patients who want the effectiveness of braces with a less noticeable appearance. These clear self-ligating brackets blend more naturally with the teeth while still offering the advanced design benefits of the Empower system. Empower Clear Braces can be a great choice for teens and adults who want the precision of braces with a more discreet look throughout treatment.

WildSmiles Braces logo with blue and green stylized W and the word “wildsmiles”

At Beach Braces, braces are not just about straightening teeth - they are about helping each patient feel more comfortable, confident, and excited about their smile. In addition to Empower® Metal Braces and Empower® Clear Braces, Beach Braces offers WildSmiles Braces®, a fun alternative that lets kids and teens choose specially shaped brackets such as stars, hearts, soccer balls, footballs, flowers, and Super-Diamonds. These custom bracket options are designed to provide the same safe, effective orthodontic results as conventional braces while giving patients a chance to show off their personality throughout treatment. For families looking for braces in Manhattan Beach, Beach Braces offers expert care, modern options, and a smile experience that feels anything but ordinary.


To learn more about braces from Beach Braces, read our FAQ below!

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Braces FAQ

  • What are braces?

    Braces are orthodontic appliances used to gently move teeth into better alignment over time. They typically include brackets, wires, and elastics or self-ligating bracket systems that work together to correct issues such as crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and general tooth misalignment.

  • How do braces work?

    Braces work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to the teeth. As the wire is adjusted throughout treatment, the teeth gradually move into healthier positions, helping improve both the appearance of the smile and the way the teeth fit together.

  • Who can get braces at Beach Braces?

    Beach Braces provides braces for children, teens, and adults in Manhattan Beach and the surrounding South Bay communities. Dr. Panucci evaluates each patient’s teeth, bite, jaw development, and smile goals before recommending the best treatment option.

  • Are braces only for kids and teens?

    No. While many patients begin orthodontic treatment during childhood or the teenage years, adults can also benefit from braces. Adult braces can improve alignment, bite function, smile confidence, and long-term dental health.

  • What types of braces does Beach Braces offer?

    Beach Braces offers several braces options for children, teens, and adults, including Empower® Metal Braces, Empower® Clear Braces, and WildSmiles Braces®. Dr. Panucci recommends the best option based on each patient’s smile goals, bite, age, orthodontic needs, and lifestyle.

  • What types of problems can braces correct?

    Braces can help correct crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and other alignment concerns. They can also help create a bite that is healthier, more stable, and easier to clean.

  • How do I know if my child needs braces?

    Signs your child may need braces include crowded teeth, early or late tooth loss, difficulty biting or chewing, mouth breathing, thumb-sucking habits, protruding teeth, or jaws that seem misaligned. An orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Panucci can determine whether treatment is needed now or should simply be monitored.

  • At what age should my child be evaluated for braces?

    The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, Dr. Panucci can identify developing orthodontic concerns and determine whether early treatment, future treatment, or simple observation is best.

  • How long does braces treatment usually take?

    Treatment time depends on the complexity of the case, the patient’s growth, the type of correction needed, and how well the patient follows care instructions. Some cases are shorter, while more involved orthodontic treatment may take longer.

  • Do braces hurt?

    Braces should not be painful, but some soreness or pressure is common after braces are placed or adjusted. This usually improves within a few days as the teeth adapt to movement. Beach Braces also provides guidance for managing comfort throughout treatment.

  • What are Empower® self-ligating braces?

    Empower® self-ligating braces are modern braces that use a built-in clip mechanism to help hold the archwire in place. This design is different from traditional braces that use elastic ties around each bracket.

  • What are Empower® Metal Braces?

    Empower® Metal Braces are strong, low-profile self-ligating braces designed to move teeth efficiently and comfortably. They are a dependable option for patients who need effective orthodontic treatment for crowding, spacing, bite problems, or general alignment concerns.

  • What are Empower® Clear Braces?

    Empower® Clear Braces are an aesthetic self-ligating braces option designed to be less noticeable than metal braces. They blend more naturally with the teeth while still giving Dr. Panucci the precision and control needed for effective orthodontic treatment.

  • Are clear braces as effective as metal braces?

    Clear braces can be very effective for many patients. Dr. Panucci will evaluate your teeth, bite, and treatment goals to determine whether Empower® Clear Braces, Empower® Metal Braces, Invisalign®, or another option is the best fit.

  • Who is a good candidate for Empower® Clear Braces?

    Empower® Clear Braces may be a good option for teens or adults who want the reliability of braces with a more discreet appearance. They are often a strong choice for patients who need braces but prefer a less noticeable look during treatment.

  • Are self-ligating braces more comfortable?

    Many patients appreciate the smooth, modern design of self-ligating braces. While some pressure or soreness is normal during orthodontic treatment, Empower® braces are designed with patient comfort and efficient tooth movement in mind.

  • Do Empower® braces still use colorful elastics?

    Empower® self-ligating braces do not rely on elastic ties in the same way traditional braces do, but patients may still have opportunities for color depending on their treatment needs and appliance setup. The Beach Braces team can explain what customization options are available during your visit.

  • What can I eat with braces?

    Patients with braces can still enjoy many foods, but they should avoid foods that are very hard, sticky, crunchy, or chewy. Foods like ice, nuts, gum, caramel, gummy candy, and hard pizza crust can damage brackets or wires.

  • Why do I need to avoid certain foods with braces?

    Certain foods can bend wires, loosen brackets, or become trapped around braces. Avoiding hard, sticky, and sugary foods helps protect the braces, reduce emergency visits, and lower the risk of tooth decay during orthodontic treatment.

  • How do I brush my teeth with braces?

    Brushing with braces requires extra care around brackets, wires, and the gumline. Patients should brush thoroughly around the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of the teeth, making sure to clean above and below the brackets to remove food and plaque.

  • How do I floss with braces?

    Flossing with braces usually requires threading floss under the archwire or using tools such as floss threaders or orthodontic flossers. Daily flossing helps clean between the teeth and under the gums where a toothbrush cannot reach.

  • Can braces make it harder to keep teeth clean?

    Yes. Brackets, wires, and bands can trap food particles and plaque, which makes brushing and flossing especially important. Beach Braces teaches patients how to care for their teeth and appliances so they can maintain a healthy smile throughout treatment.

  • What should I do if a bracket comes loose?

    If a bracket becomes loose, contact Beach Braces so the team can determine whether it needs to be repaired right away or at the next scheduled visit. If it is irritating the cheek or lip, orthodontic wax may help protect the area temporarily.

  • What should I do if a wire is poking my cheek?

    A poking wire can often be covered temporarily with orthodontic wax until the office can help. If the wire is causing discomfort, call or text Beach Braces for guidance so the team can recommend the best next step.

  • What is orthodontic wax used for?

    Orthodontic wax is used to cover brackets, wires, or appliance areas that may rub against the cheeks, lips, or gums. It can be especially helpful when patients are first adjusting to braces or if a wire becomes irritating.

  • Can my child play sports with braces?

    Yes. Patients with braces can still play sports, but they should wear an orthodontic mouthguard to help protect their teeth, lips, cheeks, and appliances during athletic activity.

  • What are WildSmiles Braces?

    WildSmiles Braces are specially shaped braces brackets that allow kids and teens to personalize their orthodontic treatment. Options include fun shapes like stars, hearts, soccer balls, footballs, flowers, and Super-Diamonds, which can be paired with colorful elastics.

  • Are WildSmiles Braces as effective as regular braces?

    Yes. WildSmiles Braces are designed to be safe, comfortable, and effective while providing the same quality orthodontic results as conventional braces. They are made in the United States from surgical stainless steel and allow patients to make treatment more personal and fun.