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Complimentary Smile Assessment
Dr. Gonzales examines your bite, takes digital records and explains exactly which bracket system fits your case — at no cost and with no obligation.
Traditional metal braces & ceramic braces in Dublin & Tracy
Join The 12,000 Smiles Transformed With Braces In Dublin and Tracy, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Livermore, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Hayward & Fremont, CA
Three ways to straighten
Metal Braces, Clear Braces & Clarity Braces In Dublin and Tracy, CA
Every bracket we bond is chosen for the case in front of us. Here is how the three systems differ — and who each one suits best.
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Most versatileMetal Braces
Today’s braces in Dublin and Tracy, CA, are smaller and sleeker than ever before! We have used traditional metal braces for years because of the fantastic results we can achieve with them. They are still the standard when it comes to getting you your best smile possible! Some cases may need to rely on the tried-and-true traditional metal braces for optimal results. You have the opportunity to pick the colors of your elastics whenever you have them replaced!
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DiscreetCeramic Braces
We believe every individual has the right to live their life with a smile they truly love. Ceramic braces in Dublin and Tracy, CA, help you achieve the smile of your dreams more discreetly that you ever imagined. Adults and some teens choose ceramic braces because they blend in with their teeth and are less noticeable than traditional metal braces.
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Least visibleClarity Braces
Clarity braces are hard and clear ceramic braces that are both strong and significantly less visible than regular braces. People of all ages choose clarity braces in Dublin and Tracy, CA, for their aesthetic appeal and the confidence it gives them to smile, even before their treatment is completed.
| Feature | Metal Braces | Ceramic Braces | Clarity Braces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Visible stainless-steel brackets | Tooth-coloured, blends in | Clear ceramic, hardest to spot |
| Material | Medical-grade stainless steel | Tooth-shaded ceramic | Translucent polycrystalline ceramic |
| Best suited to | Every case, including complex bites | Adults and older teens | Adults who want the most discreet fixed option |
| Colour choices | Pick new elastic colours each visit | Clear or white elastic ties | Clear ties, no colour statement |
| Durability | Strongest — very hard to break | Strong, slightly more fragile than metal | Engineered for strength in a clear bracket |
| Typical visit rhythm | Every 6–8 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks |
What treatment looks like
Your braces treatment, step by step
From the first scan to the day your brackets come off, you always know what happens next and why.
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Bonding day
Brackets are placed and the archwire is fitted in a single comfortable appointment. Nothing sharp, no injections — most patients are back to their day within the hour.
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Adjustments every 6–8 weeks
Short, on-time visits to change wires and elastics. Teens can pick new colours each time, and we track every millimetre of movement against your plan.
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Debond & retention
Brackets come off, teeth are polished, and custom retainers hold your new smile in place.
Why braces here
Board-certified braces treatment, built around your day
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1. A specialist on every case
Dr. Gonzales is a board-certified orthodontist — a distinction only about one in three orthodontists holds. He plans and adjusts every set of braces personally.
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2. Digital records, no goopy moulds
A 3D scan replaces impression putty. It maps your bite in minutes and lets us show you where your teeth are heading before a single bracket is bonded.
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3. Low-profile brackets
Today’s brackets are far smaller and smoother than the braces you remember. Less metal on the tooth means less irritation and easier brushing.
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4. Appointments that respect the school run
Early-morning and late-afternoon slots at both offices, so treatment costs you as little classroom and desk time as possible.
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5. Emergencies seen quickly
A loose bracket or a poking wire is never a week-long wait. Call the office and we will get you comfortable, usually the same day.
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6. Clear costs and flexible plans
You get the full fee in writing at your first visit, along with interest-free monthly options and help submitting your orthodontic insurance benefit.
Living with braces — what actually changes
The first few days feel new: teeth are tender, and your tongue finds every bracket. That settles within a week, and from then on braces slot into ordinary life. What matters most is keeping teeth spotless while the brackets are on, so the smile underneath is as healthy as it is straight.
- Brush after every meal, angling the brush above and below each bracket
- Floss daily with threaders or a water flosser
- Skip hard, sticky and chewy foods — ice, caramel, hard bread crusts
- Cut apples, carrots and corn off the cob into smaller pieces
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sport
- Use orthodontic wax on any bracket that rubs while you settle in
Your first visit
How To Get Started At Dante Gonzales Orthodontics
Come experience Dante Gonzales Orthodontics! You will see we offer innovative braces to patients in Dublin, Tracy, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Livermore, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Hayward, and Fremont, CA — and we do it with a smile! To schedule your complimentary, no-obligation Gonzales Smile Assessment, call 925.233.3458!
Dr. Gonzales has written this report to help you determine if your child needs braces. Click the button below to read more.
Braces questions we answer every week
How long will I need to wear braces?
Most patients finish in 18 to 24 months. Mild crowding or spacing can be done sooner; complex bite corrections take longer. Dr. Gonzales gives you an estimated range at your first assessment, based on your own scan rather than an average.
Do braces hurt?
Bonding the brackets is painless. Teeth usually feel tender for three to five days afterwards and for a day or so after each adjustment. Soft food and an over-the-counter pain reliever handle it, and orthodontic wax covers anything that rubs.
What is the best age for braces?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check-up by age seven, when we can see how the adult teeth and jaws are developing. Full treatment usually begins between 10 and 14 — but healthy teeth and gums matter far more than age, and we treat adults every week.
Should I choose ceramic braces or metal braces?
Ceramic and Clarity brackets are far less noticeable, which is why most adults prefer them. Metal brackets are the strongest and best suited to complex movements — and teens often like choosing new elastic colours. Both straighten teeth to the same standard, so the decision usually comes down to appearance and the mechanics your case needs.
How much do braces cost in Dublin and Tracy?
Cost depends on how much movement your case needs and how long treatment runs. We quote the full fee in writing at your complimentary assessment, offer interest-free monthly plans, and file your orthodontic insurance benefit for you.
What happens if a bracket comes loose?
Call the office. A loose bracket is rarely urgent, but leaving it slows treatment, so we fit you in quickly — often the same day. If a wire is poking, cover the end with wax until we see you.
Will I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes. Teeth drift for life, so retainers are what keep the result. We fit custom retainers on the day your braces come off.
5-star rated · 12,000+ smiles since 1998
5-star-rated orthodontists in Dublin & Tracy
More than 12,000 smiles transformed by our board-certified orthodontists — serving Dublin, Tracy, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Livermore and the East Bay.
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Dr. Gonzales and his staff are truly outstanding. They have an excellent manner with children, while being extremely competent and professional. I would feel comfortable recommending their services to anyone.
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We are extremely pleased with Dr. Gonzales and his wonderful staff. He and his staff are patient and understanding and they make my son feel completely at ease. They make every visit stress-free and fun for siblings who have to wait in the waiting room too! *thumbs up* Thank you!!!
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Best orthodontic office in the bay area!!
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The Smith family loves this office! I am so thankful my kids get to go to Dr Gonzales! Thanks for making us feel so special every time we walk in the door.
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Dr. Gonzales and his team always gave excellent service. Staff is very friendly and always made my daughter feel relaxed. She has a beautiful smile. Thank you!
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The Smith family loves this office! I am so thankful my kids get to go to Dr Gonzales! Thanks for making us feel so special every time we walk in the door.
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Dr. Gonzales and his team always gave excellent service. Staff is very friendly and always made my daughter feel relaxed. She has a beautiful smile. Thank you!
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Dr. Gonzales and his staff are truly outstanding. They have an excellent manner with children, while being extremely competent and professional. I would feel comfortable recommending their services to anyone.
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We are extremely pleased with Dr. Gonzales and his wonderful staff. He and his staff are patient and understanding and they make my son feel completely at ease. They make every visit stress-free and fun for siblings who have to wait in the waiting room too! *thumbs up* Thank you!!!
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Best orthodontic office in the bay area!!
Online appointment
Make an Appointment
Tell us a little about yourself and choose the office you prefer. Our team will be in touch to arrange your complimentary Gonzales Smile Assessment — same-day appointments are available.
Prefer to meet from home? Ask us about an online video appointment.