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Welcome to Plymouth Orthodontics
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About Us

Our goal is to provide a friendly and relaxed atmosphere while you achieve the smile of your dreams.

If you have considered orthodontic treatment for your child or yourself —we are here to help! The first step as part of your orthodontic treatment is a complimentary consultation where we will perform an oral examination complete with x-rays and photographs so that we can discuss your personalized treatment plan.
We offer traditional braces and Invisalign and we will help you make the right choice. Once you are ready to start we will guide you through the process and help you stay on track with your treatment. We are committed to making you smile!
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Meet the Doctor

Karla M. Alvarado, DMD, MSD

Dr. Alvarado decided to become an orthodontist after she experienced the life-changing effects of orthodontics as a child.

“Having braces as an adolescent had a huge impact on my self esteem.”
-Dr. Alvarado

Dr. Karla Alvarado is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has grown up and lived on the east coast and has now made Plymouth, MA her home.

“As a child and adult I had the chance to visit Plymouth and the cape many times and each time fell more in love with it until I decided to come back… permanently!”
-Dr. Alvarado

Dr. Alvarado attended college in Orlando, Florida at the University of Central Florida where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Later, she decided to move back to her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico where she attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine and received her DMD. Before diving into orthodontics she received two years of additional training in general dentistry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Afterwards, she returned to the University of Puerto Rico to specialize in orthodontics where she received her Certificate in Orthodontics, as well as a Masters of Science in Dentistry after three years of specialized graduate training.

Upon graduating, she worked as an associate in Asheville, NC and New Haven, CT until finally deciding to start her own practice in Plymouth, MA.

Dr. Alvarado enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. Jayson Rivera (also a dentist!) and their dog Lexie.

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Orthodontics

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    • An orthodontist is a dentist who has not only completed a graduate program in dentistry to receive their DDS or DMD (Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine), but has also gone through a competitive residency at a CODA-accredited orthodontic program for an additional 2-3 years to be trained specifically in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. 
      

      Out of 100 dental school graduates, only six go on to become orthodontists. 
      

      For more information, click here.
    • Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those who successfully complete this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). 
    • The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.  While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. The check up may reveal that everything is developing normally in which case we would recommend periodic check ups with our office to continue monitoring growth. If the check up reveals that there is a problem we will guide you through the process and how to manage it. This may involve early orthodontic treatment or waiting until most or all of the permanent teeth transition and starting orthodontic treatment as an adolescent.

      For more information, click here.

    • If you live in Plymouth, MA or surrounding areas our team is here to help you determine whether orthodontic treatment and our practice is right for you! All you need to do is call us or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
      During your complimentary consultation, we’ll conduct a complete oral exam with photos and x-rays, if needed. If it’s determined that orthodontic treatment is needed, we’ll create a customized treatment plan and review your available payment options. We look forward to meeting you!
    • Early (or Phase I) Treatment
      This phase of treatment is considered early because it occurs while at an early age, anywhere from 7-10 years old. During this time of the child’s development there are still baby teeth remaining. The goal of this treatment is to create adequate room for permanent teeth, achieve well-oriented jaws and eliminate any interferences that can affect the bite and/or development of the jaws. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of tooth alignment and/or jaw problems as they grow and develop. 
      

      Examples of dental problems that can benefit from early orthodontics treatment:

       • Upper or lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough

       • Crowded or blocked permanent teeth
       • Crossbite of front or back teeth causing a shift in the bite

      

      This early correction may prevent the removal of permanent teeth and make future correction more straightforward. If you believe a problem exists contact our office for a complimentary consultation and assessment. The average treatment length for early treatment is 8-12 months.

      Adolescent (Phase II) Treatment
      The most common phase of treatment. Most children undergo orthodontic treatment during this time in their development because most or all of their permanent teeth have come in and we are able to address most or all of their needs at this time. The goal is to ideally position all of the permanent teeth and jaws to maximize their appearance and function. The treatment length for Phase II is generally 18-24 months.

      Adult Treatment
      Just because you are not a child or an adolescent does not mean that its too late to improve your smile! Many adults are seeking out orthodontic treatment either for the first time or because they stopped wearing their retainers and have experienced shifting. Either way—we are able to address your orthodontic needs as an adult to help you achieve the beautiful smile you want and deserve! 

      Surgical Orthodontics
      Sometimes braces alone cannot fix all of the bite issues especially after growth has been stopped. There are situations where teeth get stuck or your jaw can grow too much or not enough and it is beyond what conventional orthodontics alone can fix. In these situations, your orthodontist will work together with an Oral Surgeon to plan out your treatment and surgery will be combined with your orthodontic treatment to achieve the maximum benefit to improve your smile, facial esthetics and function. This type of treatment is reserved for severe cases or when a patient has a desire to significantly change their facial appearance.