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Storefront exterior of Bonin Dental Care, a cosmetic and family dental office in Windsor, CA
Straight Teeth. The Right Provider for Your Case.

Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists)

Dr. Bonin provides Invisalign clear aligner treatment in our Windsor office and coordinates with trusted orthodontists in Sonoma County for cases that need traditional braces or complex bite correction.

About This Service

Straight teeth are about more than appearance. Proper alignment makes cleaning easier, distributes biting forces evenly, protects the gums, and protects your investments in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. For most adults and many teens, Invisalign clear aligners are the right tool for the job, and Dr. Bonin treats those cases himself as a certified Invisalign provider. For cases that need traditional fixed appliances, growth modification, jaw-discrepancy correction, or surgical planning, the right provider is a board-certified orthodontist whose entire practice is built around those treatments.

Our philosophy is simple: we want the best care for our patients, and the best care often means the right specialist. Bonin Dental Care has long-standing relationships with respected orthodontists in Sonoma County. When a case is outside Invisalign's range, we coordinate the referral, share imaging and records, communicate with the orthodontist throughout treatment, and remain your dental home for cleanings, restorations, and any cosmetic finishing work after alignment is complete.

The result is straightforward for you. You don't decide which type of orthodontic provider you need; we make that decision together at the consultation. We tell you honestly whether Invisalign here will give you the outcome you want or whether an orthodontist's chair will. We protect your time, your investment, and your result. For clarity: Dr. Bonin is a general dentist, not an orthodontist. Braces and specialty orthodontic care are provided by the board-certified orthodontists we refer to.

Is This Right For You?

Who Benefits Most From Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists)

Invisalign at Bonin Dental Care is ideal for adults and teens with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, mild bite issues, or alignment relapse after previous orthodontic treatment. If you're a professional who doesn't want visible brackets, a teen who's responsible enough to wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, or an adult who values discretion and predictable outcomes, Invisalign is often the right choice.

Cases that need traditional braces, growth modification, or surgical orthodontics are referred to a trusted orthodontist. That includes severe crowding, significant jaw discrepancies, surgical-orthodontic combined cases, and growing teens whose treatment depends on guiding jaw development. We assess this honestly at consultation and recommend the path that will actually deliver the outcome you want, not just the path our office can deliver.

Our Approach

Why Patients Choose Bonin Dental Care For Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists)

Dr. Bonin is a certified Invisalign provider with 24 years of clinical dentistry and active continuing education through Spear Education. He treats Invisalign cases himself in our Windsor office, and he refers braces and specialty orthodontic cases to a board-certified orthodontist whose entire practice is built around fixed-appliance and complex orthodontic care. We want the best care for our patients, and the best care often means the right specialist for the case.

The benefit of starting your orthodontic consultation here is that you get an honest, comprehensive assessment. We see whether your case is well-suited to Invisalign or whether it needs a different tool. We tell you the truth, not the path that keeps the treatment in our office. If Invisalign is the right answer, you start treatment with us. If braces or specialty care is the right answer, we make the coordinated referral, share your records and imaging, and remain your dental home for cleanings and any restorative or cosmetic work needed alongside or after orthodontics.

Patients choose Bonin Dental Care to begin their orthodontic journey because we balance expertise with realistic expectations. We're honest about treatment duration, what compliance looks like, and what the final result will be. We don't oversell, rush, or push you into a treatment that won't get you where you want to go.

Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists) at Bonin Dental Care

Patient Benefits

Why patients choose us for orthodontic care (invisalign in-office, braces with trusted orthodontists)

  • One consultation determines the right treatment and the right provider for your case
  • Invisalign clear aligner treatment for adults and teens, provided in-office by Dr. Bonin
  • Coordinated referrals to trusted Sonoma County orthodontists for cases that need traditional braces or specialty treatment
  • Honest assessment of whether Invisalign will deliver the outcome you want, before you commit
  • Continuity of care: we remain your dental home for cleanings, restorations, and cosmetic finishing
  • Records and imaging shared directly with the orthodontist so you don't repeat anything

What to Expect

From First Visit To Final Result

Your orthodontic consultation starts with a conversation. What bothers you about your smile or bite? What outcome do you want? Dr. Bonin examines your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment, then takes digital scans and X-rays to assess tooth roots and bone structure. Based on that information, he recommends Invisalign at our office or a coordinated referral to a trusted orthodontist for braces or specialty care.

If Invisalign is the right path, we submit your scans, review the digital treatment plan with you before manufacturing your trays, and you start wearing your first set of aligners. You progress through a new set every one to two weeks, with check-in visits at our office every 6 to 10 weeks. Most cases finish in 6 to 18 months depending on complexity.

If braces or specialty care is the right path, we coordinate the referral, share records and imaging directly with the orthodontist, and stay involved during treatment for cleanings, exams, and any restorative care you need. Once orthodontic treatment is complete, you return to our office for retainers and any cosmetic finishing work such as Zoom whitening or veneers, planned at the start so the timing is right.

What to Expect

Our Approach

Every visit follows a clear, considered sequence. No surprises, no guesswork.

  1. 1

    Initial consultation to examine crowding, bite, jaw alignment, and discuss your orthodontic goals and concerns.

  2. 2

    Digital scans and X-rays taken to assess tooth roots, jaw structure, and the severity of any misalignment.

  3. 3

    Treatment recommendation: Invisalign at our office, or referral to a trusted orthodontist for braces or specialty treatment.

  4. 4

    If Invisalign: scans submitted, treatment plan reviewed, custom aligner trays produced, and worn 20 to 22 hours daily.

  5. 5

    If braces or specialty treatment: coordinated referral to the right orthodontist, with records and imaging sent directly.

  6. 6

    Hygiene and check-ins continue with us during orthodontic treatment so cleanings and restorative care don't lapse.

  7. 7

    After alignment, we provide retainers and any cosmetic finishing work, including whitening or veneers, as planned.

  8. 8

    Long-term, we monitor your bite, retainer fit, and the stability of your result at every hygiene visit.

Know Your Options

How Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists) Compares To The Alternatives

Invisalign at Bonin Dental vs Traditional Braces with an Orthodontist

Invisalign at Bonin Dental Care is removable, nearly invisible, and ideal for mild to moderate cases of crowding, spacing, or alignment correction. You wear trays 20 to 22 hours daily and switch to a new set every one to two weeks. Treatment is typically 6 to 18 months. Compliance matters: if you can't commit to consistent wear, traditional braces with an orthodontist are usually the better choice. Traditional braces are fixed appliances, visible, and ideal for severe crowding, significant bite discrepancies, growing teens whose jaw development needs guiding, and cases that benefit from a specialist's daily case volume. We make this recommendation honestly based on your case, not on which tool we have in our office.

Should I See a General Dentist or an Orthodontist for Treatment?

Many adult and teen cases are well within Invisalign's range and can be treated beautifully by a general dentist who's a certified Invisalign provider. Other cases (severe crowding, surgical-orthodontic combined treatment, growing teens with developing skeletal issues) benefit from the focused expertise of a board-certified orthodontist whose entire practice is built around orthodontic care. The right answer depends on your specific case. We give you that honest answer at the consultation rather than defaulting to the option we're set up to provide.

After Your Appointment

Recovery And Long-Term Care

If you're treated with Invisalign at our office, aftercare during treatment is straightforward: wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day, remove them only to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. Clean them daily with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water; avoid hot water and abrasive toothpaste. Switch to your next set on schedule. Keep your hygiene appointments because clean teeth heal and move better.

If you're referred to an orthodontist for braces, follow their specific aftercare guidance. After alignment is complete with either approach, you'll wear retainers nightly to keep teeth from drifting back. Many patients also benefit from a small fixed retainer bonded behind the front teeth. Retainer wear is permanent, not optional, if you want to protect your investment.

Before You Decide

Costs, Insurance, And Timing

Cost depends on the complexity of your case and which provider treats you. Invisalign at Bonin Dental Care is a single fee that covers the full series of aligners, refinements, and retainers, and is comparable to traditional braces for similar case complexity. Braces at a board-certified orthodontist are billed by their office and similarly include initial appliance, monthly visits, and retainers. Most insurance plans with orthodontic benefits apply to either treatment; we verify your coverage before you commit. Patient financing options can spread cost across months.

Timeline depends on case complexity. Invisalign treatment at our office typically takes 6 to 18 months. Traditional braces with an orthodontist usually take 18 to 30 months. Once active treatment is complete, retainer wear is permanent at night. We give you a realistic estimate at consultation based on your specific orthodontic needs.

FAQ

Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists): Common Questions

Does Dr. Bonin do braces in-office, or do you refer out?

Dr. Bonin treats Invisalign clear aligner cases in our Windsor office as a certified Invisalign provider. Cases that need traditional braces, growth modification, or surgical-orthodontic care are referred to a trusted board-certified orthodontist in Sonoma County. We make the decision together at consultation based on what will deliver the best outcome for your specific case.

How do I know if Invisalign or braces is right for me?

Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues typically respond well to Invisalign. Severe crowding, significant jaw discrepancies, growing teens whose treatment depends on jaw development, and surgical-orthodontic cases usually need traditional braces with an orthodontist. Dr. Bonin examines your teeth, takes scans and X-rays, and tells you honestly which path makes sense at the consultation.

Will you coordinate with the orthodontist if I'm referred?

Yes. We send your records, X-rays, and digital scans directly to the orthodontist, brief them on any relevant medical or dental history, and stay involved during your treatment for cleanings, exams, and any restorative care you need. After orthodontic treatment is complete, you return to our office for retainers and any cosmetic finishing work.

Do braces or Invisalign hurt?

Neither is sharp pain, but you'll feel pressure and soreness for a few days when you start each new set of aligners (Invisalign) or after each adjustment (braces). This is the appliance doing its job. Over-the-counter pain relief helps. Sharp bracket edges occasionally irritate the mouth with braces; orthodontic wax smooths them. Invisalign sometimes has a sharp edge on a new aligner; you can smooth it with a nail file.

Can adults wear braces or Invisalign?

Yes. Both work at any age. Adult teeth move just as well as teen teeth, though sometimes slightly slower. Adults achieve beautiful results. Many adults strongly prefer Invisalign for the discretion, while others choose braces for predictability and lower compliance burden. Either option is appropriate based on your case.

Will I need jaw surgery if I have a severe bite problem?

Sometimes. If your jaw is severely misaligned and orthodontics alone won't solve it, the orthodontist may recommend a combined orthodontic-surgical plan with an oral surgeon. This is discussed at the consultation if it applies to your case. We coordinate the entire team and remain your dental home throughout.

Do I need retainers after treatment?

Yes, permanently. After active treatment is complete, your teeth want to shift back toward their original positions. You'll wear a removable retainer at night and may also benefit from a small fixed retainer bonded behind your front teeth. Retainer wear is non-negotiable for keeping your investment.

Can I get orthodontic treatment if I have cavities or gum disease?

You'll need to address decay and active gum disease first. Cavities must be filled, and gum health must be stable, before orthodontic treatment begins. We handle that work in our office and time the start of orthodontics accordingly.

Have a question we did not cover? Reach out to our team.

Helpful Links

Explore related topics

Whether you are evaluating orthodontic care (invisalign in-office, braces with trusted orthodontists) for the first time or planning a comprehensive treatment that combines several procedures, the resources below answer the questions patients in Windsor and across Sonoma County most often ask before booking.

Available Across Sonoma County

Orthodontic Care (Invisalign In-Office, Braces with Trusted Orthodontists) for patients in these areas

Each link below opens a page written for that community, with drive times, local landmarks, and specific answers to the orthodontic care (invisalign in-office, braces with trusted orthodontists) questions we hear most from your area.