Trusted Orthodontics in Sunrise
We proudly serve orthodontics patients of all ages from Sunrise, Davie, Weston, Plantation, Cooper City, and the surrounding communities.
Address:
175 Northwest 136th Avenue
Sunrise, FL 33325
Phone: 954.466.3574
Office hours:
Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Available by phone Monday - Friday! For Friday scheduling, please give us a call, and we will share our availability for appointments.
Your Sunrise Orthodontists
Dr. Kristen Igualada-Heine is a native of Miami, grew up in South Florida, and graduated from FAU. She attended dental school at NSU and earned her DMD while graduating in the top 1% of her class. Following dental school, Dr. Kristen was chosen for a Craniofacial fellowship and then completed her orthodontic training at NSU. She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and is an Invisalign® specialist.
Dr. Kristen is committed to doing what is best for every patient’s unique needs and has adopted a conservative treatment style. This allows her patients to receive exactly what they need during every visit, without recommending anything extra or unnecessary.
Dr. Penelope Reingowsky was born in Lima, Peru, and moved to South Florida when she was seven years old. After completing her undergraduate degree at UF, she earned her DMD from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania and an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) certificate from UF. Dr. Penny then completed her orthodontic training at NSU. She is currently a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and is an Invisalign® specialist.
Dr. Penny believes that orthodontic treatment should be tailor-made for each individual and provides her patients with the most personalized orthodontic experience available. She speaks fluent Spanish.
Sunrise Orthodontics: Braces & Invisalign at Sawgrass Orthodontics
What Is Sunrise Orthodontics and Why Does It Matter?
Sunrise orthodontics is specialized orthodontic care for residents of Sunrise, Florida, focused on correcting teeth alignment, bite issues, and jaw irregularities. Sawgrass Orthodontics in Sunrise, FL provides braces, Invisalign, and specialized appliances to help patients of all ages achieve healthier, more confident smiles. Every family who walks through our doors receives a customized treatment plan built around their unique needs and goals.
Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that goes far beyond cosmetic improvements. When your teeth and jaw are properly aligned, you can chew more effectively, speak more clearly, and maintain better oral hygiene. Misaligned teeth create hard-to-reach spaces where plaque and bacteria build up, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease over time. That matters more than most people realize.
Proper alignment also plays a role in how your jaw functions day to day. Bite issues like overbites, underbites, and crossbites can contribute to headaches, jaw discomfort, and uneven wear on your enamel. Correcting these issues early, or even later in life, helps protect your oral health for years to come. Your teeth do a lot of work for you. They deserve proper support.
For families in Sunrise, FL, having a trusted local orthodontist means less time commuting and more time enjoying the results. Our practice sits right in the heart of the community, making it easy for parents to schedule visits around school and work. Convenience matters when you're committing to months of care. We've built our practice around making that commitment as simple as possible.
Here at Sawgrass Orthodontics, we treat each of our patients as individuals - we want to know you! Our team serves families throughout Sunrise, Weston, Davie, Plantation, Cooper City, and the broader Broward County area. Dr. Penny and Dr. Kristen bring years of specialized orthodontic training to every consult, ensuring you receive expert guidance tailored to your unique needs.
Our practice offers treatment options for every age and lifestyle:
- Braces for kids who need early intervention
- Teen braces and Invisalign Teen for middle and high school students
- Adult orthodontics including discreet clear aligners
- Invisalign for families who prefer removable, virtually invisible aligners
- Forsus™ appliances for correcting bite issues without headgear
Everything we do is focused on you! From your very first visit, we build a customized treatment plan around what matters to you, your schedule, your budget, and your goals for your smile. Parents looking into options for their child and adults considering orthodontics for the first time alike will find the guidance they need at our Sunrise practice. We're here every step of the way.
Benefits of Choosing Sawgrass Orthodontics for Your Smile
Choosing the right orthodontist can feel overwhelming. You want a practice that combines expertise with genuine care for your comfort and the smile you've been hoping for. Sawgrass Orthodontics delivers both, and the benefits extend well beyond straighter teeth.
Better Oral Health for Life
Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss effectively. Big difference. When teeth overlap or crowd together, food particles and bacteria get trapped in spaces your toothbrush simply cannot reach. That buildup doesn't stay harmless for long. Plaque accumulates, cavities form, and gum inflammation follows. By correcting alignment issues, orthodontic treatment at Sawgrass Orthodontics helps protect your teeth and gums for decades to come.
Proper bite alignment also reduces uneven wear on your tooth enamel. When your upper and lower teeth meet correctly, chewing forces distribute evenly across all your teeth rather than concentrating on just a few. This can prevent chips, cracks, and premature wear that might otherwise require restorative work later.
Confidence That Shows
There's something powerful about loving your smile. Many of our families tell us they feel more confident in social situations, job interviews, and photographs after completing treatment. For teens especially, a smile they're proud of can make a real difference during those formative years when self-image matters so much.
Adults experience this confidence boost too. It happens to the best of us, right? Maybe you missed out on braces as a teenager. Or your teeth shifted over the years and you never got around to fixing them. Modern orthodontic options make it easier than ever to achieve the smile you've always wanted, whether you're 30 or 60.
Treatment Options That Fit Your Life
We specialize in orthodontic treatments from traditional metal braces to the crowd favorite: Invisalign. This means we can match your treatment to your lifestyle, preferences, and needs.
- Traditional metal braces remain highly effective for complex cases and offer colorful band options teens love
- Ceramic braces provide a more subtle appearance while delivering the same reliable results
- Invisalign uses virtually invisible, removable aligners that let you eat what you want and maintain your normal oral hygiene routine
- Invisalign Teen includes compliance indicators and replacement aligners for active lifestyles
Affordable Payment Plans
Cost shouldn't prevent anyone from getting the orthodontic care they need. Sawgrass Orthodontics offers flexible financing options that make treatment accessible for families at every budget level. During your free consultation at our Sunrise, FL practice, we'll discuss all available payment plans so you can make an informed decision without financial stress.
Your time is valuable, which is why we're upfront about costs and financing from day one. No surprises, no hidden fees. Just honest conversation about what your treatment will involve and how we can make it work for your family.
Free Consultations Remove Barriers
Getting started shouldn't cost you anything. Our free consultations at our Sunrise office include an exam, necessary imaging, and a detailed discussion of your treatment options. You get all the information you need to decide whether orthodontic treatment is right for you, with zero obligation.
How Your Treatment Works at Sawgrass Orthodontics
The orthodontic treatment process at Sawgrass Orthodontics follows five steps at our Sunrise, FL office: free consultation, customized treatment planning, active treatment, regular progress visits, and retention. Here's exactly how your treatment unfolds, from your first phone call to your final retainer fitting.
Step 1: Get Started With Your Free Consultation
Your orthodontic experience begins with a complimentary consultation at our Sunrise office. During this visit, Dr. Penny or Dr. Kristen will examine your teeth, jaw, and bite. We use the iTero Digital Impression System to capture precise 3D scans of your mouth without the discomfort of traditional molds.
This initial exam helps us identify any alignment issues, crowding, spacing needs, or bite irregularities. We'll explain our findings in plain language and answer all your questions. You'll leave knowing exactly what treatment options are available and which approach we recommend for your specific situation.
Step 2: Create Your Customized Treatment Plan
Using their specialized training, Dr. Penny or Dr. Kristen will develop a customized treatment plan designed around your unique needs and goals. This plan outlines:
- Which treatment approach fits best, whether that's braces, Invisalign, or a combination
- How long you can expect treatment to take
- How often you'll visit us for check-ups and adjustments
- Total cost and available payment options
You're not just a number here. You're like family to us, and we want you to feel confident and informed about every aspect of your care.
Step 3: Begin Active Treatment
Once you've decided to move forward, we get your placement visit on the calendar. For braces, this involves carefully bonding brackets to your teeth and connecting them with archwires. The process is comfortable and typically takes one to two hours.
If you've chosen Invisalign, you'll receive your first sets of custom-made aligners along with detailed instructions on how to wear and care for them. Pretty convenient, right?
Our team provides thorough guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques, foods to enjoy and avoid (for braces wearers), managing any initial soreness, and when to contact us with questions.
Step 4: Regular Progress Visits
Throughout your treatment, you'll visit our office for periodic check-ups. For braces families, these visits involve adjusting wires and checking bracket placement. Invisalign families receive new aligner sets and progress evaluations.
Through a process called remodeling, your teeth slowly shift into their correct positions. Most families visit us every four to eight weeks. These visits are typically quick, often lasting just 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 5: Retention and Long-Term Success
Completing active treatment is exciting, but it's not quite the finish line. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions, so regular retainer use is essential to maintain your best smile.
We'll fit you with custom retainers and provide clear instructions on wear schedules. Most families wear retainers full-time initially, then transition to nighttime-only wear. Following these guidelines protects the investment you've made in your smile.
Who Is a Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?
Candidates for orthodontic treatment at Sawgrass Orthodontics include anyone with crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, or open bites, from children as young as seven to adults in their seventies and beyond. Orthodontic treatment benefits patients of all ages. Here's how we approach treatment for different age groups.
Children: Early Evaluation Sets the Stage
Per the American Association of Orthodontists and our own insight, children should visit the orthodontist for an initial exam around age seven. At this age, most kids have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, allowing us to identify developing issues before they become more complex.
Early evaluation doesn't always mean early treatment. Often, we simply monitor growth and development, waiting for the right time to begin. Since we catch issues while the jaw is still growing, we may be able to correct them with minimally invasive treatment instead of surgery. Early orthodontics is about simplifying and expediting treatment, so you and your child have less to worry about later in life.
Teens: The Most Common Treatment Age
Adolescence remains the most popular time for orthodontic treatment. Most permanent teeth have erupted, but the jaw is still growing, creating ideal conditions for efficient tooth movement.
Invisalign Teen offers a great option for image-conscious teenagers. Because the aligners are invisible, comfortable, and don't get in the way, teens can focus on school pictures, sports, and playing instruments without worrying about their orthodontic treatment. Traditional metal braces work wonderfully for teens too. Many of our younger families actually enjoy choosing colorful bands to express their personality.
Adults: It's Never Too Late
More adults than ever are pursuing orthodontic treatment at Sawgrass Orthodontics. Modern options like Invisalign fit right into professional and social lives. Not only are the aligners virtually invisible, they're removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment.
Whether you're dealing with crowding that's bothered you for years or a bite issue that's gotten worse over time, adult treatment can make a real difference. Many of our adult families tell us they wish they'd started sooner. The good news is that healthy teeth respond well to orthodontic treatment at any age, and today's options make the process far more convenient than what you might remember from decades past.
Determining Your Candidacy
The best way to know if you're a candidate is to get started with a free consultation. Every mouth is different, and factors like bone density, gum health, and specific alignment issues all influence treatment recommendations. Some families are surprised to learn they're excellent candidates for treatment they assumed wouldn't work for them.
So, what are you waiting for? Give us a try!
Why Families Choose Sawgrass Orthodontics in Sunrise
Choosing an orthodontist means entrusting your smile to someone for months or even years. Families throughout Sunrise and surrounding communities choose Sawgrass Orthodontics because we pair expertise with genuine warmth and care.
Experienced, Dedicated Team
Dr. Penelope Reingowsky and Dr. Kristen Igualada-Heine lead our orthodontic team with specialized training and a love for helping families achieve the smiles they've always wanted. They regularly attend continuing education courses and integrate tools like the iTero Digital Impression System into everyday care, ensuring you receive treatment that reflects the latest in orthodontic science.
As soon as you get here, you will notice that we're a fun, energetic team that loves creating beautiful smiles and making families feel right at home. From the front desk to the treatment chairs, every member of our team shares this commitment to your comfort and satisfaction. Our team looks forward to helping you start on the path to a stunning, beautiful smile that you'll love to share with the world.
Advanced Technology for Better Results
Our practice uses the iTero Digital Impression System to create precise 3D scans of your teeth. This technology eliminates the need for messy, uncomfortable traditional impressions. The digital scans also allow us to show you a preview of your potential results before treatment even begins. Better technology means more comfortable visits and often shorter overall treatment times.
Real Results, Real Families
Our Smile Gallery showcases actual families who achieved their best smiles at Sawgrass Orthodontics. These before and after photos demonstrate what's possible with proper orthodontic care. When you see the results we've achieved for families just like yours, you'll understand why our families recommend us to friends and neighbors.
Testimonials reflect the positive experiences families have at our practice. We're proud to be recognized as one of the fastest growing practices in Broward County, a testament to the trust our community places in us.
Convenient Care When You Need It
We understand that life gets busy. Our patient portal makes scheduling visits, accessing records, and communicating with our team simple and convenient. You can manage your orthodontic care from your phone or computer, whenever it fits your schedule.
When orthodontic emergencies happen, we're here for you. Whether a bracket comes loose or a wire is causing irritation, our team provides guidance and same-day emergency care when needed. Although food in your braces can be irritating or cause discomfort, it's an easy fix and not a serious emergency. We'll help you tell the difference between minor issues you can handle at home and situations that need immediate attention.
A Comfortable, Welcoming Environment
Our Sunrise office is designed with your comfort in mind. We've created a comfortable, relaxing environment where patients of all ages feel at ease. From the moment you walk through our doors, you'll experience the warmth and hospitality that sets Sawgrass Orthodontics apart.
We also proudly serve Spanish-speaking families, ensuring clear communication for everyone in our diverse community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Treatment
How long does orthodontic treatment typically take?
Most orthodontic treatment at Sawgrass Orthodontics in Sunrise, FL takes between 12 and 24 months. Your specific timeline depends on the complexity of your case, the treatment method chosen, and how well you follow care instructions. During your free consultation, we'll provide a realistic estimate based on your individual needs.
How much do braces or Invisalign cost?
Treatment costs vary based on the type of orthodontics you need and the length of treatment. Rather than quoting a one-size-fits-all price, we provide cost estimates during your free consultation at our Sunrise office. Sawgrass Orthodontics offers flexible payment plans to make treatment affordable for every family.
Does Sawgrass Orthodontics offer a patient portal?
Yes! Our patient portal gives you convenient access to scheduling, treatment records, and direct communication with our team. You can request visits, review upcoming dates, and access important information about your care anytime. This digital convenience helps busy families stay on top of orthodontic visits without phone tag or paperwork hassles.
What is the difference between braces and Invisalign?
The main differences between braces and Invisalign come down to visibility, removability, and case complexity.
| Feature | Traditional Braces | Invisalign |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Metal brackets and wires visible | Virtually invisible aligners |
| Removability | Fixed throughout treatment | Removable for eating and cleaning |
| Food restrictions | Some foods must be avoided | No food restrictions |
| Oral hygiene | Requires special brushing techniques | Normal brushing and flossing |
| Best for | Complex to severe cases, all ages | Mild to moderate cases, teens and adults |
Traditional metal braces consist of metal brackets and wires with connecting rubber bands, all of which apply gentle pressure that gradually moves your teeth into straighter positions. Invisalign uses a series of virtually invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners. Both achieve excellent results; the right choice depends on your specific needs and lifestyle preferences.
What should I do in an orthodontic emergency?
For orthodontic emergencies like broken brackets or poking wires, contact Sawgrass Orthodontics in Sunrise, FL immediately for same-day care. We can often resolve issues quickly over the phone with simple at-home remedies.
General soreness is totally normal! When you first get your braces, you'll probably feel a bit of tenderness in your mouth, and teeth may be sensitive to biting pressures for three to five days. Stick to a soft foods diet until your teeth don't hurt to chew.
Can adults really benefit from orthodontic treatment?
Absolutely! Adults of all ages can achieve excellent results with orthodontic treatment at Sawgrass Orthodontics in Sunrise, FL. Modern options like Invisalign make treatment discreet and convenient for professional adults. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and many adults find that correcting long-standing alignment issues improves both their oral health and their confidence. Your free consultation will determine the best approach for your specific situation.