Dr. Glenn P. Frial D.D.S., M.S.

Orthodontist

28202 Cabot Rd. 250 Laguna Niguel CA, 92677 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

At the office of Dr. Frial, your smile is our top priority! We are delighted to provide first-class service to you and your family at each visit. We work together to provide personalized service and an enjoyable orthodontic experience. We have helped thousands of people make the most of their smile and we believe everyone deserves the benefits of a beautiful smile. Dr. Glenn Frial grew up in the Orange County area. He attended UCLA, where he received a BS in Biology. Dr. Frial also attended dental school at UCLA, where he graduated at the top of his class and received numerous honors and awards. After his dental training, he went on to specialize in orthodontics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). At UCSF, he earned both a postdoctoral specialty certificate in orthodontics and a MS in Oral Biology.

Education and Training

UCLA BS in Biology 1989

UCLA School of Dentistry DDS in Dentistry 1993

UCSF Orthodontic Postgraduate Program MS in Oral Biology 1996

Provider Details

Male English, Spanish

Dr. Glenn P. Frial D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Glenn P. Frial D.D.S., M.S.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

Do braces still work without tightening?
It will work up to a point, then you will need your braces tightened again. When you come in for your appointment, your orthodontist will either re-tighten your braces or change to a bigger wire. Sometimes teeth can move past their intended movement. Therefore, it's important to see your orthodontist on your regularly scheduled intervals to keep your treatment on track. Best regards, Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
Do braces self tighten?
No, they do not. The braces will move your teeth to a certain point, then they will need to be “re-tightened”. If the current wire in your mouth has done its maximum movement, your orthodontist will change to a stronger wire. To keep your treatment on track, t is important to see your orthodontist at your regularly scheduled intervals. Take care, Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
How do I know when I'm ready for braces?
There are many factors involved. It is possible you may need early Interceptive Orthodontics (AKA Phase One) to correct the jaws or a harmful habit or you can just wait until all the permanent teeth erupt. The American Association of Orthodontist recommends that all children be seen by an orthodontist by the age of 7. We can tell by that age if your jaws are developing correctly or not. The best thing for you to do is to make an appointment with an orthodontist and they will tell you if you are ready. Even if you are not ready, they can put you on Recall appointments where you come in every 6 months or longer to monitor. Don’t think of it as a waste of time if you are not ready, it gives the orthodontist valuable information of how your teeth and jaws are developing. It will also give you peace of mind. Best of luck, Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
What happens if you get a cavity with braces?
It is always best to fix a cavity before starting braces if it is known beforehand. However, if a cavity forms during the process, it can still be restored. It will take some coordination with your orthodontist and dentist. Depending on your situation, the dentist may request the wire to be removed and possibly the braces on the tooth with the cavity. Speak to your orthodontist and dentist and they will let you know. Sincerely, Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
Is 35 too old for braces?
You are never too old for braces. As long as you have healthy teeth and gums, you are a candidate. If you do have periodontal (gum and bone) issues, you may need treatment and/or clearance first by a periodontist. To give you perspective, my oldest orthodontic patient was 76 years old. Schedule an exam with an orthodontist to see what your treatment may entail. Best of luck, Glenn P. Frial DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
How long do you wear braces after jaw surgery?
Each person’s case is different, but it usually is between 6 to 12 months. We do what is called presurgical orthodontics to remove all decompensation that has happened over the years. So many times, you will look worse before the surgery. For example, if you have an “overbite,” it may get bigger after our decompensation of the teeth. This will allow the oral surgeon to do the maximum amount of movement. After surgery, we then do postsurgical orthodontics to finalize the bite as well as fine tune. We are also watching for stability. Depending on the type of surgery and how much still needs to be done, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months as I mentioned. I hope this helps. Best regards, Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
How do I stop my teeth from shifting without a retainer?
Unfortunately, we use our teeth every day. Therefore, teeth will shift throughout our lifetime whether or not we had orthodontic treatment. The only way to keep teeth from shifting is to wear a retainer for life. I recommend full time wear for the first 6 months and then only night time while sleeping thereafter. Best, Glenn P. Frial DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
Can I have braces for 6 months?
It depends on your case. If you have a good bite and mild to moderate crowding, it is possible. However if you have other issues and your bite is off, it will take longer. Teeth straightening happens fairly quickly, but fixing the bite takes longer. Some people just want their teeth straight, but having a good bite is important for the health and longevity of the teeth. You would need to be evaluated by an orthodontist to truly determine the length of your specific treatment. Best regards, Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
Is Invisalign safe for children?
Yes, Invisalign is absolutely safe for children. Besides Invisalign being more cosmetic than braces, there is the added benefit of brushing normal and eating normal with no food restrictions since it is removable. However because it is removable, it requires more responsibility. They need to make sure they wear it 20-22 hrs/day and they can lose it. We talk to our patients about having a routine. As long as your son has a good routine, he will be just fine. Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS READ MORE
How long do I need to wear my retainer for?
Many, many years ago, orthodontist typically would say you only need to wear your retainers for 2 years; or until you turn 18 years old, if you had orthodontic treatment as a child. However, teeth will always shift throughout your lifetime whether or not you had orthodontic treatment. Therefore, I tell my patients that they need to wear their retainers full-time for 6 months then at night . . . forever. Best regards, Dr. Glenn Frial READ MORE
My daughter is 4 years old and is used to sucking her thumb. Will it cause her teeth to grow outwards?
Yes, prolonged thumb sucking can cause the upper teeth to protrude. It can also create an open bite where the front teeth don't touch among other things. Most children stop between the ages of 2 and 4. Positive reinforcement is usually the best way to help them stop. For example, instead of getting angry when they suck their thumb, praise them when they are not. Your dentist can encourage your child to stop and give some tips like putting a band-aid on the thumb as a reminder. As a child gets older and they continue, consult with an orthodontist as a habit appliance may be needed. READ MORE
My son's permanent teeth are growing crooked. Should I take him to an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist by age 7. We can spot early jaw growth problems as well teeth issue at an early age. In some circumstances, early intervention treatment may be needed, which is what we call Phase One treatment. In other cases, treatment may not be needed at this time, but seeing an orthodontist will give you peace of mind. Hope this helps, Dr. Frial READ MORE
How long does it take for teeth to set with retainers?
It normally takes a minimum of 6 months for the teeth and bone to stabilize. It can sometimes take longer, especially for adults. Therefore, my retainer protocol is to wear a retainer full-time for a minimum of 6 months after braces are removed. After 6 months, if the teeth have stabilized, then night time wear is prescribed forever. Teeth will always move throughout life, even if you have never worn braces. There are many things that can cause teeth to move (e.g., tongue thrust, playing an instrument like a flute, chewing more on one side, etc.). Therefore, the only way to keep your teeth straight is to wear your retainers at night forever. That is exactly what I do. Hope this helps, Dr. Frial READ MORE
After removing my braces, my cheeks have swollen up. What could be the reason?
This is very unusual. There are many factors that could contribute to this, so I would consult with your orthodontist as soon as possible. It is possible you may have had an allergic reaction to materials used that day like the latex gloves or impression materials. READ MORE
Can I get braces for my upper teeth only?
Every patient's case is different. In some cases, patients can have upper or lower treatment only. However, most cases require both upper and lower treatment to get proper teeth alignment and bite correction. Consult with an orthodontist to see your options. READ MORE
My son is 8 years and his permanent teeth are crooked. Is it too early to go to an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist by age 7. The dentist who saw him may be right, but an orthodontist can spot jaw growth or teeth eruption problems at an early age. Sometimes patients can benefit from early intervention as we can guide the growth of the jaws to help permanent teeth come in properly. Also early intervention can prevent more extensive treatment later in life that may require pulling of permanent teeth or even jaw surgery. READ MORE
My son's permanent teeth are growing crooked. What should I do?
Back teeth that are growing incorrectly normally don't straighten on their own, so I would see an orthodontist for an exam. The orthodontist will be able to tell you if early intervention is necessary or they may just to do follow up visits to monitor the growth of the teeth. READ MORE
I wear my retainer, so why are my teeth still shifting?
If you feel your teeth are moving, you should see your orthodontist. He may just need to tighten your retainer. You may also need to wear them more than at night or change the retainer type. Different orthodontists have different protocols for retainer wear. My retainer protocol is to wear a retainer full-time for a minimum of 6 months after braces are removed to allow the bone and teeth to stabilize. I don’t go straight to night time wear after braces removal because the teeth are still unstable. After 6 months, if the teeth have stabilized, then night time wear is prescribed. Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE
What if only one tooth is crooked?
Not necessarily. A retainer may be all that is needed. Clear Aligner therapy like Invisalign ® or ClearCorrect ® is another option. Braces will also correct the single tooth and yes, it will move your other teeth, but that may be necessary. Many times, what you see as a single tooth may actually be more than like. For example, a patient will tell me that have one lower tooth that goes inward. However, upon my exam there is more going on. The upper tooth directly above the lower tooth is also going inward and if we don’t move it forward, we will not be able to move the lower tooth forward. The best thing to do is to get an evaluation to see your options. Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Malocclusions (bad bites)CrowdingOverbitesUnderbitesCrossbites

Faculty Titles & Positions

Adjunct Professor UCLA Orthodontic Department 2005 - 2015

Awards

Orthodontist of the Year 2001 Consumer Business Review
Nominated Best Orthodontist 2010 Best of LA
Best Orthodontist Finalist 2010 Best of LA

Treatments

Traditional Braces
Clear (ceramic) Braces
Invisalign & Clear Correct
Clarity™ Advanced
Clear Aligner Orthodontics
Retainers Etc.
Braces / Orthodontics
Braces & Appliances
Expanders
Phase One / Early Interceptive Orthodontics
Surgical Orthodontic Treatment

Professional Memberships

American Association of Orthodontists
Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
California Associations of Orthodontists
OKU Dental Honor Society
Academic for Orthodontic Excellence
Active Member/Past Chairman California Association of Orthodontists
Active Member American Association of Orthodontists
Active Member Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
Active Member Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society
Active Member Academy for Orthodontic Excellence

Publications

Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists BulletinCase Report1996

Experience & Accolades

Orthodontist/Owner1997Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC
Adjunct Lecturer/Instructor2005 - 2015UCLA Orthodontic Postgraduate ProgramTaught proper wire bending to the UCLA Orthodontic Residents