Meet the Orthodontist – Dr. Byron Okubo DMD, MS

The most important procedure I do as your orthodontist is the accurate alignment of your brackets (braces). I do all the bracket placement in my practice, rather than have my assistants or lab technicians perform this most important step. Alignment is the cornerstone and foundation of an ideal finish.

There are two things that move teeth: the position of the brackets and the wires. Brackets are the handles that move teeth in 10 different directions. Correctly aligned brackets will accomplish about 95% of tooth alignment. Misaligned brackets require multiple bends in the wires to compensate and never result in a stable or well-finished case. I can’t use standard of care “straight wire” orthodontic techniques with crooked brackets. The only way you receive the benefit of my training, experience, consistency, and attention to detail is if I position your brackets. I always have and always will. In general, brackets should be centered on the crowns of your teeth left to right and up and down. The key is symmetry; the brackets on the left should mirror the position of the brackets on the right.

I do not use preformed arch wires. At Okubo Orthodontics you will never see an assistant take a “one size fits all” wire out of a drawer and tie it in. I custom contour every arch wire to optimize your smile. My goal is to achieve an arch shape and width to enhance your smile power.