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Most people associate orthodontic appliances such as braces with younger children and teenagers, but adults can–and should–wear braces as well if they have a malocclusion! In this article, we will explain why adults should get Houston braces and break down the different options we offer for our adult patients.
What Is A Malocclusion?
We use the term “malocclusion” to refer to a “bad bite”. There are different kinds of malocclusions, such as overbites, underbites, and even crowding teeth. Even though Houston braces are seen as a way to make some cosmetic upgrades to your smile, this is only a small part of our overall Houston braces treatment at our Houston and South Houston family dentist offices. The main reason people need to undergo Houston braces treatment is that an untreated malocclusion leads to other lifelong dental health problems.
What Problems Does A Bad Bite Cause?
If a malocclusion isn’t corrected, the following are some of the complications that may follow:
- Migraines
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Lisp
- Difficulty chewing and digesting food
Our Houston Braces Can Correct A Bad Bite And Promote Healthy Teeth
Our Houston family dentist, which treats families in Houston and South Houston, offers three types of dental braces treatments: Invisalign, Ceramic Dental Braces, and Metal Dental Braces.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
As their name suggests, Invisalign Clear Aligners are transparent. Invisalign treatment consists of clear trays that are molded differently in order to match up with your teeth as they shift. Over the course of treatment, the plastic aligners will gradually shift your teeth to the correct alignment. Though suitable for mostly mild cases, there are some benefits and drawbacks of Invisalign for adults to consider.
Ceramic Dental Braces
Our ceramic South Houston braces are designed to blend in with the natural color of the teeth, thanks to the ceramic brackets that are cemented to the teeth. This type of Houston braces treatment is efficient in treating moderate cases and is rather comparable to metal Houston braces.
Metal Houston Braces
Metal Houston braces are the traditional type of braces treatment that we recommend, as they have been available since the 19th century, with major updates since then. Metal dental braces are the most versatile braces treatment for adults.
Adult Dental Braces at Centra Dental
If you’re an adult who wants to improve the appearance of your smile while simultaneously promoting good oral health, then please book an appointment with us at our Houston or South Houston offices so we can begin with your Houston braces evaluation. We look forward to embracing your smile!
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Our South Houston family dentist offers a few different Houston braces treatments, including metal dental braces and ceramic dental braces, but in recent years patients have taken a greater interest in our Invisalign Clear Aligners–and for good reason! In this blog, we will break down the pros and cons of Invisalign so you are well-aware of the different options available at our Houston and South Houston offices.
Pros Of Invisalign
Invisalign has “pros” that outweigh the cons for most of our patients, such as:
Increased Flexibility
Unlike metal and ceramic Houston braces, which we bond to the teeth with a dental cement that can only be removed by a dentist, Invisalign Clear Aligners are designed to be removable by the patient, which makes them our most flexible method for correcting a malocclusion. With this flexibility, our patients should remove their aligner trays at mealtimes. Once you finish eating, thoroughly brush your teeth immediately after and then put your clear aligners back on.
If you follow our wearing guidelines, then you may be able to forgo your Invisalign for the duration of a special/important occasion, such as a wedding, job interview, or prom.
Subtle Houston Braces Treatment
One of the many reasons our patients question whether they should get dental braces or not is that they are rather self-conscious about having metal or ceramic braces on display when they talk, eat, smile, or laugh.
Invisalign Clear Aligners, on the other hand, are nearly transparent. This means that self-conscious teenagers and adults who would rather not draw attention to their teeth while they undergo treatment won’t have to worry about their appearance.
Cons Of Invisalign Clear Aligner Treatment
The greatest downside of Invisalign is that we prefer to recommend it to those with mild malocclusions for maximum effectiveness. If we do recommend Invisalign to you, these are the cons to keep in mind, though they may not be cons to you at all!
Easily Lost Or Misplaced
Invisalign Clear Aligners may be easy to lose since they are removable and transparent. If you find you may be forgetful sometimes, you may struggle to keep track of your aligners. However, we provide you with a case to store your aligners in so you can keep better track of them.
Meticulous Hygiene
Hygiene when wearing Houston braces is critical, but you need to pay extra attention when you wear Invisalign. If you wear any type of dental braces, it’s quite normal to get bits of food stuck in between your teeth, but when it comes to Invisalign, these food particles are notorious for impeding your aligners and making it obvious you have food stuck in your teeth. When food impedes your aligners, they won’t be able to do their job. Please be sure to thoroughly brush your teeth after each meal and floss every night.
Get A Houston Braces Consultation At Centra Dental
If you think Invisalign might be right for you, then please book an appointment with our South Houston dentist so we can evaluate your bite and determine the best treatment plan for you.
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Approximately 4 million Americans wear braces at any given time due to malocclusions. A malocclusion is what we refer to as a “bad bite” or an “unideal bite”. Although we offer ceramic dental braces and even Invisalign in addition to metal Houston braces, we like to recommend metal dental braces for a variety of cases, simply because they are the strongest and are effective on virtually all malocclusions. In this article, our South Houston dentist will explain how metal dental braces work to correct malocclusions.
What Are Metal Braces Made Of
In order to understand how metal dental braces work, we first have to explain how they are designed. At their most basic level, metal Houston braces are made up of 3 components.
- Metal brackets, which are glued to the front of the teeth utilizing dental cement.
- Archwire, which is laid across the brackets.
- O-rings, which help attach the archwire to the brackets and keep everything in place.
How Metal Houston Braces Straighten Your Teeth
Whether you’re an adult in need of dental braces or are doing some research because your child may need braces soon, metal braces are a great method to correct a bad bite that any of our South Houston family dentist patients may have, regardless of their age. Today, metal braces are thinner and lighter in weight, which creates a far more pleasant experience.
The way metal dental braces correct the alignment of your teeth lies in how all three components work together. With the o-rings connecting both the metal brackets and the archwire, our South Houston braces dentist will tighten the archwire in different ways that will place specific amounts of pressure on your teeth and jaw at any given time. This guides your teeth to the proper alignment, thanks to the help of our 3D modeling software. Every so often, you will come back to our Houston dentist office so we can re-tighten the archwire, continuously guiding your teeth until we have helped you achieve a straight smile.
Ready For Metal Houston Braces? Visit Our South Houston Dentist Office
Now that you know more about metal dental braces, if you think they’re suitable for you please book an appointment so we can begin with our braces consultation.
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Invisalign Clear Aligners are an increasingly popular method for correcting any misalignment in your teenager’s teeth. At our South Houston family dentist office, we offer Invisalign in addition to ceramic dental braces and metal Houston braces to our pediatric dental patients. In this blog, we will explain why Invisalign may be a great option for your teenager.
South Houston Invisalign Is A Subtle And More Comfortable Option For Teenagers
Unlike metal or ceramic Houston braces, Invisalign doesn’t require brackets, wires, or rubber brands. In fact, Clear Aligners are much like clear plastic retainers that are made by first completing a 3D scan of your teen’s mouth. Once we complete the scans and study them, we will design custom plastic Invisalign trays that will be made in our dental lab. These plastic trays will put gentle pressure on your teenager’s teeth so that they gradually shift until they are straight.
Because there are no wires involved and, as their name implies, Invisalign Clear Aligners are nearly transparent when placed on the teeth. This is ideal for your child if they tend to feel self-conscious in their smile and would prefer not to draw attention to their teeth
South Houston Invisalign Is Flexible
If your teenager is very responsible and well-disciplined, they will greatly benefit from the greater flexibility that Invisalign offers. Invisalign is removable, unlike our other Houston braces treatments, so our patients should remove them at mealtimes. Additionally, if worn as directed by our South Houston family dentist, which is for 20-22 hours a day without being misplaced or lost, then your teenager may be able to skip the Invisalign for a special occasion, such as prom.
Are There Any Downsides To Invisalign Clear Aligners?
Invisalign seems like the perfect solution to fix a bad bite, but there are some limitations. For example, if your teenager has a severe malocclusion, Invisalign may not be as effective or as efficient at straightening the teeth compared to metal dental braces. Further, their flexibility will require your teenager to be very mindful of perfectly following our instructions in order to get the most out of Invisalign.
Visit Our South Houston Braces Dentist to See if Invisalign is the Best Treatment for Your Teen
If you think Invisalign might be a good option for your teen, then please book an appointment with our South Houston family dentist. We will determine what treatment method works best for your child's smile.
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When any of our South Houston family dentist patients have a malocclusion, which is an improper bite that leads to other health concerns, we will recommend either Invisalign Clear Aligners, metal dental braces, or ceramic dental braces. In this blog post, we will discuss the difference between ceramic dental braces and metal Houston braces, which will give you a good idea of what you can expect with either treatment.
Ceramic Houston Braces
Ceramic dental braces are less common than metal dental braces, but they remain highly effective. When it comes to ceramic braces, they are made up of the following components, which make them blend into the teeth to create a subtler Houston braces treatment:
- Tooth-colored brackets, or, in some cases, clear brackets. Both of these options are placed on the face of your teeth.
- The archwire, which is placed over the brackets and ranges in color from silver, white, or frosted.
When Are Ceramic Houston Braces Recommended To Our South Houston Dentist Patients?
Because the ceramic material itself is strong, dental braces work wonders on patients with mild to moderate malocclusions, though how long treatment lasts will also depend on the severity of each individual case.
Metal Houston Braces
Metal dental braces are the most common type of Houston braces treatment we offer. These braces are similar to ceramic braces and contain the following:
- Metal brackets placed on the front of your teeth
- Metal, dark gray archwire, which is also placed along the front of the brackets
When Does Our South Houston Family Dentist Recommend Metal Dental Braces?
Metal dental braces are the most common type of Houston braces treatment because they are versatile, meaning they work for virtually all cases–from extremely mild to highly complex. Depending on our patients’ different cases, treatment may also last longer because metal brackets are stronger than ceramic brackets and will, therefore, be a quicker way to straighten your teeth.
Affordable Ceramic And Metal Dental Braces At Our South Houston Family Dentist
Whether you are considering Houston braces for yourself or for your child, Centra Dental in South Houston is the best place to get affordable braces, starting as low as $99 a month. If you would like to determine which method is best for you, then please book an appointment with us so we can begin with your Houston braces evaluation!
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Are you at increased risk of tooth decay if you undergo Houston braces treatment? This is a common worry that many of our South Houston dentists patients experience when they are determining whether they should undergo dental braces treatment, and rightfully so. If you think about it, your dental braces are on the face of your tooth, so won’t you only brush a portion of each tooth? Although we can see why our patients worry about this, there are things you can do to remain free of cavities while wearing metal or ceramic Houston braces. Here are our South Houston family dentist’s tips for maintaining adequate dental hygiene while wearing Houston braces.
Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal And Snack
Brushing your teeth twice a day is good hygiene and the minimum we recommend. However, because metal braces and ceramic dental braces do tend to cover the teeth, this can make it a bit harder to get your teeth perfectly clean. To mitigate this, we recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal and snack, as this will discourage food particles from sticking around. By brushing with fluoride, non-whitening toothpaste, this will strengthen your enamel and serve as additional protection against tooth decay.
Keep Flossing Your Teeth Before Bed Every Night
For our South Houston braces patients and non-orthodontic patients alike, flossing is critical to maintaining a cavity-free smile. This is especially true for our Houston braces patients because food tends to get stuck between the teeth and the brackets. Flossing may seem hard at first, but our South Houston family dentists will be glad to teach you how to properly floss. In addition, brush picks also help in reducing food particles stuck between your teeth.
Get A Teeth Cleaning At Our South Houston Dentist Office
By visiting us for your teeth cleaning every 6 months, we can give you a deeper clean than you would get at home because no matter how diligent you are with your at-home hygiene routine, it is impossible to keep your teeth pristine without visiting your dentist. Please book an appointment for your next cleaning so we can polish the teeth, check your dental braces progress, and offer more tips on how to care for your teeth.
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It’s no secret that Houston braces are a great idea if you need to have a malocclusion corrected. A malocclusion is also known as a “bad bite” and the term is used to describe any and all orthodontic problems. In our previous dental braces blog, we discussed a bad bite caused by crowded teeth. This time, we will discuss overbites and how Houston braces can correct them.
What Is An Overbite
An overbite, more commonly called buck teeth in non-dental jargon, occurs when a patient’s upper teeth and jaw protrude further outward than their bottom teeth and jaw do. Some overlap from your upper dental arch over your bottom dental arch is normal and healthy, as this overlap protects your teeth from abnormal wear of the enamel, and protecting the enamel increases your protection against tooth decay. Overbites may be caused by a number of factors, some of which cannot be controlled and others that are simply poor habits. These factors include:
- Genetics
- Extensive thumb sucking
- Excessive use of pacifiers
- Pushing your lower teeth with your tongue
What Health Problems Can An Overbite Cause?
Although some jaw overlap is healthy, it is easy for it to become unhealthy. An overbite can cause certain speech impediments, much like other malocclusions. Overbites have also been known to cause chewing difficulties, and many patients with overbites end up biting their tongues or cheeks a lot by accident. Over time, this may cause your teeth to exhibit worn enamel early on. Lastly, an overbite tends to cause damage to the gums and other teeth because of the improper bite pattern, which results in tooth decay and even gum disease in severe cases.
Affordable Houston Braces at Centra Dental Your Go-To South Houston Dentist
Straight teeth are not merely cosmetic; they are crucial for your overall dental health. If you suspect you or your child has an overbite or “buck teeth”, then please book an appointment with our South Houston dentist so we can schedule a Houston braces consultation. At this consultation, our South Houston dentist will evaluate the bite and develop an affordable Houston braces treatment plan. We look forward to embracing your smile!
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Dental braces, though dreaded by some, are the best way to correct issues relating to the way your teeth are aligned. At Centra Dental in South Houston, we offer multiple Houston braces options and treatment plans, each designed to correct the alignment of the teeth. Why, though, may dental braces be needed besides improving your smile? Take crowded teeth, for example. If your child’s teeth exhibit crowding, they may very likely need dental braces. Here’s why.
Crowded Teeth In Children
Teeth crowding occurs when your child’s teeth are crooked and tend to overlap one another. This can occur on the upper row of teeth, the bottom row of teeth, or both arches at the same time. What makes teeth crowd? Sometimes, excessive thumb sucking or chewing toys and other items excessively may lead to crowding. Other times, some of our South Houston family dentist’s patients simply have extra teeth, which don't fit in the mouth properly. This is a major cause of crowding, as it disrupts the natural way in which the teeth are supposed to emerge along the dental arch.
What Problems Can Teeth Crowding Cause?
One of the worst dental health problems caused by crowded teeth is excessive plaque build-up. Although some patients who don't have extra teeth can still experience heavy plaque build-up, children who do have extra teeth are especially prone to this because it's too difficult to adequately brush and floss the teeth. Excessive plaque build-up leads to cavities and even gum disease if left untreated. Severe crowding could also cause speed problems, difficulty at school, and difficulty in your child’s social confidence.
Affordable Houston Braces at Centra Dental in South Houston
Teeth crowding is one of the most common issues that require Houston braces. Not only do our affordable dental braces bring out the best in your child’s smile, but they also help your child achieve optimal dental health and a confident smile. If your child has reached the age at which you may consider Houston braces treatment, please book an appointment with us so we can begin with a consultation and design a custom treatment plan. We look forward to embracing your child’s smile!
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As a South Houston family dentist that specializes in Houston braces, many of our pediatric patients’ parents ask us if it’s too late for them to wear dental braces. The truth is that it’s never too late. In fact, we highly encourage adults to wear dental braces if they have crooked teeth and/or a malocclusion, otherwise known as a “bad bite”.
Adults May Have A Bad Bite Since Childhood
There are different kinds of malocclusions, including overbites and underbites. If you had a malocclusion as a child, then chances are you still have a similar problem today. If you don’t fix your bad bite, this will cause a multitude of dental health issues, such as:
- Headaches
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Speech impairment
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty digesting
Getting Braces Young Is Better Than Waiting, But Adult Treatment Is Still Just As Effective
Although we recommend getting braces as a child because children's teeth are more moldable, this doesn’t mean adult treatment is out of the question. It may take longer, but adults who undergo Houston braces treatment will also benefit from a straight, beautiful smile. Our South Houston braces dentist offers different types of dental braces:
- Metal Houston Braces, which are the most common method of orthodontic correction and are especially efficient at correcting even the most severe case.
- Ceramic Houston Braces, which are increasing in popularity due to their tooth-like color and impressive strength. This makes them a viable alternative to metal dental braces for patients who dont want to draw attention to their mouths while they undergo treatment.
- Invisalign Clear Aligners, which are the most subtle method of malocclusion correction because clear aligners are nearly invisible and offer more flexibility in terms of wear.
Get Adult Houston Braces With Our South Houston Family Dentist At Centra Dental
If you’re an adult and are worried about your smile, don’t fret. We want you to feel confident in your beautiful smile. If you think dental braces might be an option for you, then please book an appointment with us. We will begin with the initial dental braces consultation to address your concerns and then design the best treatment plan for you. With our braces starting at $99 a month, we look forward to embracing your smile, affordably.
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Over the last decade, Invisalign Clear Aligners have risen in popularity among our South Houston family dentist patients. Metal Houston braces may work for all types of bad bites (malocclusions), but Invisalign can be just as effective at straightening your teeth, so long as our South Houston dentist recommends Invisalign as an effective treatment for you. Here is how you can make sure Invisalign works for you as best as it possibly can.
Remove Your Clear Aligners At Meal Times
Invisalign Clear Aligners are a highly flexible orthodontic treatment, so it’s no surprise that one of the greatest perks that come with Invisalign is that the clear aligners are removable, unlike the metal Houston braces our South Houston dentist also offers.
In addition to removing your aligners when it’s time to eat, we also recommend avoiding crunchy or excessively chewy foods, as your teeth will temporarily be tender and sore each time you get a new set of Invisalign.
Brush Your Teeth More Often
Much like with regular dental braces, it’s important to brush your teeth after each snack and meal to ensure no food gets stuck in between your teeth, as this gets in the way of your Invisalign clear aligner trays and disrupts how they move your teeth. Flossing nightly is also crucial so you don’t let any food sit in between your teeth and cause cavities.
Wear Invisalign As Directed By Our South Houston Dentists
Invisalign must be worn for 20-22 hours a day, which includes the time you spend sleeping. This helps ensure that your teeth are constantly being shifted into the necessary position to create a straight smile that will last a long time. If you wear them as directed and maintain proper dental hygiene, you may be able to skip the Invisalign on a special occasion.
Our South Houston Family Dentists Want to Ensure Your Invisalign Treatment Is Successful
If you are planning to start Invisalign, please book an appointment with us so we can examine your teeth and determine an appropriate treatment plan. We want to ensure Invisalign gives you the straight, healthy smile you deserve for life.
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When your child is at or near the age of 10, dental braces may be considered. When you and your child come visit our South Houston family dentist for their teeth cleaning, we will be able to tell you when it may be a good time to begin Houston braces treatment. While your kid may be excited to wear dental braces and get a beautiful smile, we understand there may be a sensation of overwhelm when it comes to all the steps involved in treatment. Because of this, we have put together this guide on what to expect with Houston braces.
Phase 1: Your First Houston Braces Consultation
Before getting dental braces, your child must come in for a consultation in which we will advise them on what treatment may work best for them. Most braces dentists conduct their consultation in two parts:
- Gathering materials
- We will gather x-rays, photographs, and/or digital scans or molds of your child’s teeth
- Evaluating the materials
- Once gathered, our South Houston braces dentist will study the material and then share our findings with you and examine the bite. At this point, we may recommend a proper treatment plan, including how long to wear dental braces for and what type of dental braces will best meet your child’s needs–ceramic braces, metal braces, or Invisalign.
- We will also address any concerns you may have about treatment.
Phase 2: Getting Houston Braces
After the consultation, we will schedule a future appointment with your child so that our South Houston dentist can place the braces on your child’s teeth. Here’s how this appointment works:
- Step 1: Thoroughly clean and dry the teeth so that the fitting goes smoothly
- Step 2: Apply orthodontic bonding glue to the teeth and attach the brackets, which are either small metal or ceramic pieces that we affix to the front of the teeth one at a time. After each bracket is applied, we will utilize a curing light to dry the glue and move onto the next tooth.
- Step 3: Place the wire across the brackets. This is what applies gentle pressure to the teeth so they gradually move toward the correct alignment
What Comes Next?
Over the next few weeks and months, your child will get used to wearing braces. They’ll barely notice them until it’s time to see our South Houston dentist again to tighten them, which we will do at predetermined periods of time that are based on your child’s personal treatment plan. Tightening the wire helps ensure the teeth are continuously moving where they should. Some slight soreness is to be expected after the initial fitting and after we tighten your braces, but it is easily manageable and will fade in a short period of time.
In Need Of Houston Braces?
If it’s time for your child to get braces, please book an appointment with our South Houston dentist so we can begin with the consultation. Rest assured that we will answer any and all questions and ensure treatment goes smoothly. We look forward to embracing your smile!
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Most patients who undergo dental braces treatment mistakenly believe that once the braces are off, there’s nothing else to do besides show off that new smile for the rest of their life. You can get to that point, but only when some extra measures are taken.
Remember That Your Teeth Can Still Shift After Houston Braces Treatment Is Complete
Dental braces–whether in the form of metal dental braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign–work because they are constantly applying pressure to your teeth and pushing them in the direction they need to go in order to become straight. When your dental braces come off, your teeth no longer have that pressure guiding them, which means they can shift and undo all the work your investment did.
Aside from natural shifting, there are some situations that can otherwise contribute to your teeth becoming crooked again, such as:
- Teeth grinding
- A condition in which many of our South Houston family dentist patients may grind their teeth or clench them tightly. Over time, this will cause your teeth to become crooked again. Some retainers help prevent this, but otherwise, a nightguard can help as well.
- Wisdom Teeth
- Wisdom tooth removal is very common these days. Wisdom teeth are extra teeth that a patient may have which, if not removed, will start to crowd the teeth and force their way above the gum line, which will push all your other teeth in different directions.
Protect Your Teeth After Houston Braces
In order to make certain the time and money you invested in wearing Houston braces wasn’t all for naught, we ask that you wear orthodontic retainers. Usually, we will recommend our South Houston family dentist patients wear retainers 24/7 for about a year, with the exception of meal times and brushing your teeth. This is because it takes roughly a year for your teeth to settle into the soft tissues in your mouth. By settling into the tissues of your mouth, this will help your teeth preserve their new alignment.
Different Retainers For Different South Houston Braces Patients
At our South Houston family dentist office, we know that every patient and every bite is different. Depending on your particular case, we may recommend bonded retainers, traditional wire retainers, or transparent plastic orthodontic retainers. If you are nearing the end of your Houston braces treatment, please book an appointment with us so we can get you fitted for a retainer that will keep your smile straight and healthy.
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Over 4 million people in the U.S. wear some form of dental braces. In fact, 25% of these Americans are adults, which makes Houston braces suitable for everyone. Here are the basics of Houston braces to prepare you and/or your child for your future treatment.
Why Get Houston Braces In The First Place
Contrary to popular belief, Houston braces are not purely cosmetic. Undergoing dental braces treatment helps correct issues associated with a “bad bite” (malocclusion) such as an overbite or underbite, crowded teeth, or extra teeth. These conditions make it hard to practice good dental hygiene, may cause speech problems, and may even make it hard to chew and eat safely. The cosmetic appeal of straight teeth is simply a bonus that our patients get to enjoy.
The Initial Houston Braces Consultation
Before getting Houston braces, you must first come into our South Houston family dentist office so we can examine your teeth and ask about any difficulties they may be causing you. With this consultation, we will be able to design a custom treatment plan, including what type of braces will work best and how long you should wear them. With our state-of-the-art technology, we are able to use 3D modeling to demonstrate how your teeth will shift throughout treatment.
Types of Houston Braces
At our South Houston dentist office, we take pride in offering different kinds of braces that meet different needs. We offer Invisalign for mild cases, ceramic braces for moderate cases, and metal dental braces for severe cases. Which kind of dental braces we recommend will depend on your particular case.
Paying For Houston Dental Braces
Because dental braces aren't strictly cosmetic, we believe they should be accessible to all, which is why we offer braces for as low as $99 a month. We are also in-network with several different insurance plans so healthy teeth don’t have to break the bank.
Our South Houston Family Dentists Look Forward To Embracing Your Smile
With our passion for healthy teeth and beautiful smiles, our South Houston dentist is proud to offer dental braces for children and adults. If you are considering getting dental braces, please book an appointment so we can begin with a consultation and evaluation. We look forward to welcoming you to our office and giving you a smile you can wear confidently.
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After Houston braces, our patients have to wear orthodontic retainers in order to retain the new alignment of their teeth. There are several kinds of retainers available, each with different pros and cons. However, they all have one thing in common besides protecting your teeth from shifting again: they need to be cleaned.
Why Your Retainers Should Be Cleaned
Because retainers are worn in your mouth after Houston braces, they can easily collect whatever is on your teeth, such as plaque, bacteria, and tartar. If you aren’t adamant about cleaning your orthodontic retainers, they may start to smell or taste really bad, which is unpleasant for you and may steer you away from wearing your retainers responsibly.
Bacteria are usually found in our mouths, which is why we have to keep them clean, but if illness-causing bacteria such as streptococcus is left to accumulate on your retainers, you may get sick with an infection.
How Should Retainers Be Cleaned?
Because every type of retainer is made of different materials, how you clean them will depend on this. However, here are some general tips and rules of thumb for each type.
Traditional Hawley Retainer and Transparent Removable Retainers
Brush your Hawley retainer or transparent retainer with lukewarm water after every meal with a soft toothbrush and be sure to brush your teeth as well, especially if you are in your first year after Houston braces. By brushing your teeth after every meal, you are ensuring no food particles get stuck in between your teeth and prevent your retainers from doing their job.
Consider asking our South Houston dentist at your next appointment if soaking your retainers in a special cleaning solution is an option. There are multiple options available, but we can recommend what works best for your retainers. We can also discuss how long you should soak them for, as you don’t want to soak them too long. Soaking Hawley retainers for too long may corrode the metal.
Bonded Permanent Retainers
Flossing is the best way to clean your bonded retainers, as they are fused to the teeth, so they cannot be removed and separately scrubbed. By flossing correctly, you will slide the thread between your teeth and around your bonded retainers. Our South Houston dentist will be more than happy to teach you the proper flossing technique.
Visit Our South Houston Dentist To Learn More About Proper Retainer Care
If you are about to wear retainers or have been wearing them for some time, please book an appointment with us so we can check that you are taking proper care of your teeth and ensure that they have not shifted. We will help get you back on track to beautiful, straight teeth.
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