A Legacy of Smiles: Honoring Dr. Nguyen’s 29 Years of Care

A Legacy of Smiles: Honoring Dr. Nguyen’s 29 Years of Care

After nearly three decades of dedicated service, heartfelt relationships, and countless transformed smiles, Dr. Douglas Nguyen will be retiring at the end of March 2026.

This milestone marks both a celebration and a transition — honoring a remarkable career while welcoming the continued future of our practice under Dr. Sean Truong’s leadership.

29 Years of Smiles, Service, and Community

For 29 years, Dr. Nguyen has had the privilege of caring for generations of families. What began as a commitment to clinical excellence grew into something even more meaningful — lifelong relationships.

He has watched young patients grow up, graduate, build families of their own, and return with children who now sit in the very same chairs. Those moments — the confidence of a new smile, the excitement of braces coming off, the gratitude shared at the end of treatment — have been the true rewards of his career.

Orthodontics is more than straightening teeth. It is about confidence, growth, and being part of life’s milestones. Dr. Nguyen has always believed in putting patients first, delivering the highest standard of care, and treating every individual like family.

 

A Seamless Transition to Trusted Leadership

While retirement is bittersweet, Dr. Nguyen is deeply confident in the future of the practice.

Dr. Sean Truong will be assuming full ownership and continuing the tradition of excellence our patients know and trust.

Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Truong have known each other for 26 years and have worked side by side for much of that time — including from Dr. Truong’s graduation from UCLA Orthodontics in 2006 through 2014, and again from 2022 to the present.

Over the years, Dr. Nguyen has witnessed firsthand Dr. Truong’s:

  • Clinical precision

  • Dedication to patient-centered care

  • Commitment to continuing education

  • Genuine compassion for every patient

The philosophy remains unchanged: patients come first, quality is never compromised, and every smile matters.

What This Means for Our Patients

For our current and future patients, this transition means continuity.

  • The same commitment to excellence

  • The same caring team

  • The same welcoming environment

  • The same focus on beautiful, healthy smiles

  • You and your family will remain in excellent hands.

Forever Grateful

Dr. Nguyen shares his deepest gratitude to every patient and family who placed their trust in him over the past 29 years. Your loyalty, kindness, and confidence have meant more than words can express.

Though he is stepping away from daily practice, the memories created together — the laughter, the milestones, the smile reveals — will stay with him always.

Looking Ahead

As one chapter closes, another begins.

We celebrate Dr. Nguyen’s extraordinary career and wish him joy, rest, and fulfillment in retirement. At the same time, we look forward to continuing to serve our community under Dr. Truong’s leadership — with the same heart, integrity, and dedication that have defined our practice for decades.

If you have any questions about the transition or upcoming appointments, our team is always here to help.

Thank you for being part of our story — and for allowing us to be part of yours.


Braces

Braces

how can braces help you?

There are many reasons to consider getting braces. While aesthetics—such as correcting crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth—are often a primary motivation, braces also play an important role in improving oral health. They can correct bite issues (malocclusions), which occur when the jaws are misaligned or differ in size.

Straighter teeth are easier to clean and care for, potentially helping to prevent more serious and costly dental or gum issues in the future. Investing in braces not only enhances your smile but also supports long-term oral health.

Here are a few examples of things to look for to determine if you need braces:

 

WHEN TO SEE THE ORTHODONTIST

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have a check-up with an orthodontist specialist no later than age 7.  At this time, the bite begins being establish when the first molars erupt (approximately age 6). The incisors or the front teeth have also begun to erupt at this time and problems can be detected such as crowding, habits, deep bites and some jaw discrepancies.  Although most kids do not need treatment at this time, a timely evaluation will lead to significant treatment benefits moving forward and the immediate benefit of a parent's peace of mind. Adolescents and adults with fully developed dentition can seek a consultation from an orthodontist at any time.

METAL Braces

Metal braces consist of stainless steal brackets adhered to your teeth with an adhesive and connected by a wire. The braces are activated periodically with light pressure to gently straighten your teeth. Despite new options, metal braces remain the most common and reliable choice for orthodontic treatment.

3D CLEAR Braces

Clear braces function similarly to traditional metal braces, using bonded brackets and a metal wire to move teeth. However, Light Force clear braces offer a more advanced solution, featuring stain-resistant, 3D-printed ceramic brackets designed for improved aesthetics. Their fully customized design, tailored to each patient’s tooth anatomy, enables more precise, efficient treatment with a more discreet appearance.

Invisalign

Invisalign treatment consists of clear sets of removable aligners custom fitted to your teeth. You must wear them 20-22 hours a day and change your set of trays at set intervals as your teeth straighten. 

Steps to getting braces

Initial Consultation

At the initial consultation, we will evaluate your teeth and jaws and provide you with a preliminary treatment plan that we will confirm before treatment is started.  

Records

Initial records are done to get an understanding of the malocclusion. This typically consists of x-rays, photographs, and study models of the teeth. We then use these records to finalize the treatment plan.

Starting Treatment

Depending on your treatment needs, you may be starting your treatment with an appliance like an expander, headgear, facemask or even recommended to remove teeth before braces. Patients without these needs will get braces bonded on their teeth, wires placed, and instructions on braces care and oral hygiene.

Braces Care

Taking care of your teeth and braces is one of the most important factors in treatment.  Without good cooperation, your treatment outcome may be compromised and/or your treatment time could be extended!

Anatomy of your braces

Elastic Tie - Holds the wire into the bracket slot to activate tooth movement, sometimes a metal version of this called a steel tie is used if the tooth is very crooked.  These come in a variety of colors that you can change at each appointment.

Archwire - The archwire produces the force that moves the teeth. They typically start very flexible and thin and slowly progress into thicker and stiffer wires.

Metal Brackets/Clear Brackets - The brackets are glued to the teeth and act like a handle for the archwire to move the teeth.

Rubber Band Elastics - These are used typically to correct the bite and are put on and removed by the patient. Since they only work when they are on the teeth, cooperation and compliance with these are critical to keeping your treatment on course.  

Brushing and flossing with braces

Common Orthodontic Emergencies

Discomfort

It's normal for a patient to have discomfort for a few days after braces or retainers are adjusted especially when eating. This discomfort is normal and temporary. We encourage soft foods at this time and the use of over the counter pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol that the patient is used to taking.

Discomfort

It's normal for a patient to have discomfort for a few days after braces or retainers are adjusted especially when eating. This discomfort is normal and temporary. We encourage soft foods at this time and the use of over the counter pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol that the patient is used to taking.

Protruding Wire

Occasionally, the end of a wire can extend out of the last bracket and irritate the back of the mouth. This typically happens as teeth are straightening out more or while spaces are being closed. For small wire sticks, using wax is typically enough to relieve the irritation. If the wire is extremely bothersome, call the office to schedule a time to come in and have the wire clipped.

Loose Brackets or Bands

If the braces have come loose in any way, the office should be notified to determine the appropriate next steps. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth, so if the bracket is off center and can move along the wire, the adhesive may have failed. The bracket can be knocked off if the patient has eaten one of those hard or crunchy foods orthodontic patients are instructed to avoid or if the mouth is struck while at play. (We encourage all patients, especially those with braces, to wear a protective mouth guard while playing sports)