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Centra Dental
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.
Centra Dental
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.
Centra Dental
Good oral hygiene means coming to dental cleanings with us twice a year, brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, and flossing every night. With Houston braces, though, you have to take extra special care of your teeth and be strict on yourself when it comes to your oral hygiene routine.
Brush Your Teeth More Often
First and foremost, it’s important to brush your teeth more often when you're undergoing Houston braces treatment. If you wear Invisalign Clear Aligners, you may be more prone to cavities if you don't brush your teeth enough because food can get stuck between your teeth and trapped in the aligners. When food is stuck between your teeth it poses as a barrier between the Invisalign trays and your natural teeth, impeding how Invisalign does its job.
Our South Houston dentists recommend that in addition to brushing twice daily, you also brush after each meal or snack you eat. This will help ensure no food particles get stuck in between your teeth, which not only allows Invisalign to do its job but also serves as a great preventative measure against cavities.
Our south Houston family dentists also recommend you carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you so you can always have a toothbrush handy. This way you can be sure to brush as often as needed.
Floss More Carefully
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that it’s removable, which makes flossing a lot easier than it would be if you wore metal Houston braces or ceramic Houston braces. Be sure to carefully floss every night before bed and even between meals to ensure that your clear aligners aren’t obstructed by anything.
Do Thorough Oral Rinses
There are special oral rinses that our South Houston dentist patients who wear metal or ceramic dental braces can benefit from. Our dentists recommend you use a fluoridated mouthwash before bed after you’ve finished brushing and flossing your teeth to encourage stronger, healthier teeth while you undergo Houston braces treatment. Using a fluoridated mouth rinse has been proven to protect against cavities and strengthen the enamel in our South Houston family dentist patients.
Our South Houston Braces Dentists Can Help You Maintain Proper Hygiene While Wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners
If you Are currently undergoing Invisalign treatment 10 please book an appointment so that we can complete a dental check-up. We will perform a thorough teeth cleaning and check that you’re maintaining adequate hygiene and health. We look forward to embracing your smile!
Centra Dental
A malocclusion, also known as a “bad bite”, affects children and adults the same, but when we see malocclusions in adults, they aren’t sudden or brand new. Most of the time, adults have a bad bite because they had one as a child and either didn’t want to wear dental braces, or had trouble affording them. These days, though, Houston braces are much more affordable than they used to be. They are also lighter and more subtle so adults don’t have to feel as self-conscious about wearing dental braces. When our South Houston dentists’ adult patients are hesitant about metal braces, ceramic Houston braces are a great alternative.
What Makes Ceramic Dental Braces So Appealing, Especially To Adults?
The main reason why our adult patients may favor ceramic Houston braces over metal Houston braces is that ceramic braces blend into the teeth more than metal ones. Ceramic braces consist of tooth-colored brackets or, in some cases, clear brackets. The archwire ranges in color from silver, white, or frosted, as opposed to dark gray like those used along with metal brackets. These variations in color also blend in with the teeth.
Are Ceramic Braces As Effective As Metal Dental Braces?
Although Houston Invisalign Clear Aligners are the go-to method of correcting the alignment of the teeth when you want something subtle, Invisalign works best on very minor cases. Ceramic braces, on the other hand, are an effective option for mild-moderate malocclusions. Although metal braces work for virtually all levels of severity, ceramic dental braces are similar because each individual bracket is glued to each tooth, and they are all bound together by the archwire. The archwire is the key component that puts pressure on the teeth to move them to the correct position.
Keep in mind, though, that even though ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces, they aren’t quite the same. If you participate in high-contact sports, for example, ceramic braces may not be ideal and our South Houston dentist will recommend metal braces instead.
Our South Houston Dentist Offers Affordable Houston Braces
If you feel like it’s time for you to get dental braces, please book an appointment with our south Houston dentist for an initial dental Houston braces consultation. We will evaluate your bite and determine if ceramic braces are suitable for your needs.
Centra Dental
If your child is nearing middle-school age, then chances are they will start seeing many classmates undergo Houston braces treatment. This is a very common age at which to begin wearing dental braces because most–or all–of their baby teeth have fallen and their adult teeth have completely emerged. Some pre-teens and teenagers may wear Invisalign Clear Aligners, while others may wear ceramic or metal dental braces because our South Houston family dentist said that type of treatment would work best. So, why does Invisalign only work for some and not others?
Invisalign Clear Aligners Are Made Differently Than Other Houston Braces
Unlike our ceramic Houston braces or metal Houston braces, Invisalign doesn’t have any wires or metal. In fact, Invisalign Clear Aligners are simply transparent, thin, and flexible plastic that is molded to your child’s teeth and gradually pushes their teeth toward the correct alignment. Teeth that are correctly aligned are healthier and promote better oral health in general, which is why it’s important to undergo Houston braces treatment if necessary.
Why Our South Houston Family Dentists Only Recommend Invisalign To Some And Not Others
Houston Invisalign Works Best On Minor Cases
The type of Houston dental braces we recommend to our patients depends on how severe their malocclusion is. Severe malocclusions are most efficiently and effectively treated by metal dental braces because they are the strongest option available. This is also why metal Houston braces work on virtually all cases.
Invisalign, on the other hand, is best suited for our South Houston dentist patients with mild malocclusions (bad bites) that don’t need as dramatic of a correction.
Our South Houston Braces Dentist Patients Get The Most Out Of Invisalign Treatment By Being Disciplined
Because Invisalign is removable, this is a flexible treatment, but our patients can’t let flexibility become an excuse for being lazy or irresponsible. Patients must wear their Clear Aligners for 22-24 hours a day, which means they need to be careful not to lose, misplace, or forget to wear their aligners. This is crucial for Invisalign to work properly so patients don’t need a second correction in the future. Patients who worry they may be forgetful or lack the necessary discipline will often have a better experience with ceramic dental braces or metal dental braces.
Our South Houston Family Dentist Offers Effective Invisalign Treatment
If you would like to know whether Invisalign is suitable for your child, then please book an appointment with our South Houston dentist. We’ll begin with an evaluation and discuss their needs so that we can develop the best custom dental treatment for them that ensures a beautiful smile for the rest of their life.
Centra Dental
We’ve previously discussed how bonded retainers work and how traditional wire retainers work following Houston braces treatment. Retainers are a must after dental braces treatment because they keep your teeth in their new alignment while the teeth settle into the soft tissues. This process helps ensure the teeth remain straight and properly aligned for longer. If a patient doesn’t wear their retainers as our South Houston family dentist instructed them to, then it is much more likely that their teeth will separate again and go back to their previous alignment. Here is what translucent retainers are like.
What Are Clear Retainers
Clear retainers are very similar to Invisalign clear aligners, except the retainers don’t shift the teeth. These retainers are created by taking a mold of your new, perfect smile so that when you wear the retainers, they help retain the position of your teeth. These retainers are removable as well.
Clear plastic retainers are more common than bonded retainers, but they aren’t as common as traditional Hawley (wire) retainers. However they are still a great option for our patients if we determine that their teeth may benefit from this type.
Pros and Cons of Wearing Clear Retainers
Taking care of your teeth after you’ve completed your metal dental braces treatment, ceramic dental braces treatment, or Houston Invisalign treatment is key to wearing a healthier smile for longer.
Pros of Clear Retainers:
- Clear plastic retainers are nearly invisible, so patients won’t feel as awkward or self-conscious and may be more inclined to wear their retainers as directed
- These retainers are often more comfortable than Hawley retainers
- Because the plastic is so lightweight, your speech won’t be as affected as it can be with traditional wire retainers
Cons of Clear Retainers:
- They cannot be readjusted or repaired; they can only be replaced
- If exposed to excessive heat, clear retainers can warp in shape, therefore making it impossible to fit your teeth again
- Over time, clear aligners can become discolored
- If you don’t adhere to our recommendations for proper hygiene, then they can easily trap liquid or foods and result in cavities
Our South Houston Dentist Can Determine If Clear Retainers Are Suitable For Your Particular Case
If you or your child are finishing up with Houston braces treatment, then it’s time to discuss orthodontic retainers and which will work best for you. Please book an appointment with our South Houston Family Dentist so we can assess the progress on your teeth and determine what will best retain your new smile.
Centra Dental
Although we get many adult patients who seek Houston braces treatment, particularly with Invisalign Clear Aligners, our South Houston family dentist sees children more often. When families come in for their semiannual teeth cleaning, parents often ask us when their kid might be ready for braces, if early treatment is possible, and/or how much longer they should wait to avoid needing another alignment treatment in the future. This is what our South Houston family dentists recommend.
Early Houston Braces Treatment Is Good; A Second Treatment Is Rarely Necessary
Before we get into anything else, we want to address the common concern that many patients have: if their kid gets braces too young, won’t they need to get them straightened again in the future?
Getting braces early, when your child is young, is a great idea because they're still growing, so their jaws are too. This makes their teeth easily moveable, which may help shorten the duration of their treatment. Some patients, however, require even earlier treatment known as an interceptive treatment. This type of treatment involves using orthodontic appliances to complete early treatment if a patient’s malocclusion is one that can worsen the longer it is left untreated. This may take place as a two-part treatment, but it’s possible for these cases to be resolved at once and they won’t need Houston braces again. On the other hand, the teeth will need to be corrected again if the patient wasn't responsible when it came to wearing their orthodontic retainers, and this is regardless of age.
The Youngest Age At Which Houston Braces Treatment Can Begin
Dental braces treatment usually takes place between the ages of 8 and 14 because by then, children have lost all or most of their baby teeth. That said, when your child should get dental braces also depends on how severe their malocclusion is and, consequently, which type of treatment they’ll need (Invisalign, metal dental braces, ceramic Houston braces). Some children may need Houston braces for longer due to a really bad bite, so we might recommend they start closer to 8. Other children may not have as bad a case, so they can wait a bit before getting braces and by then, it’s up to their personal preference.
Houston Braces For Kids at Centra Dental in South Houston
Today’s dental braces are much lighter in weight and more subtle than they used to be. With the many types of Houston braces we offer, we’ll find the method that works best for your child to have healthy, straight teeth. If you’re considering Houston braces treatment for your child, please book an appointment with us so we can start with an orthodontic evaluation. This will give our trained dentists, who regularly further their education, the opportunity to determine how your child's teeth and jaw will develop, and how dental braces will help.
Centra Dental
You’ve probably seen commercials on television or advertisements on YouTube and other social media platforms that try to sell clear aligners over the internet, which the company then sends right to your home for a simple, affordable, at-home Houston braces treatment. Our South Houston family dentists are here to tell you to stay away from these kinds of products. Here’s why.
How At-Home Braces Treatment Works
These companies will usually start your treatment by sending you an impression kit so they can see how your teeth are currently aligned. After you send back the impression (which is usually done incorrectly), they claim to use 3D modeling to send you your clear aligners with a wearing schedule.
At-Home Clear Aligner Treatment is Not as Customized as it Should Be
When you come into our South Houston family dentist office for Houston braces treatment, we take impressions and utilize 3D modeling in order to visualize every single phase your teeth go through as we correct their alignment, and we’ll even show you our plan once we complete it. We also see you in-person every few weeks during your Houston Invisalign treatment so we can take the closest look possible and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on the right track of alignment. When you get clear aligners off of a website and send in your materials, they may follow up with you via telemedicine, but they can’t thoroughly examine your bite or your progress through a camera. To get the best results, you need to see the dentist in person.
Clear Aligners Aren’t Effective For Everyone
If you’ve read our blog, When Our South Houston Family Dentist Recommends Invisalign Clear Aligners, then you’ll know that clear aligners work best on mild cases. If you have a severe malocclusion, clear aligners found in mail-order kits may not be the best option. You may benefit more from ceramic Houston braces or metal Houston braces.
You May End Up Paying More Than You Would at Our South Houston Dentist Office
We already offer affordable Houston braces, as low as $99 a month. If you go through with mail-order clear aligner kits and treatment doesn’t go smoothly, you may have to pay all over again for a second correction at an orthodontist or dentist office. If the damage done to your teeth by mail-order clear aligners is bad enough, you may end up needing to under surgery or another dental procedure.
Centra Dental Family Dentist in South Houston Wants to Keep You and Your Smile Safe
Although mail-order/at-home braces treatment seems convenient and affordable, you are sacrificing quality for convenience and a healthy smile shouldn’t be about convenience. If you would like to undergo Invisalign Clear Aligner treatment, please book an appointment with our South Houston braces dentist so we can evaluate your teeth, discuss your needs and goals, and come up with a safe, affordable, and effective treatment plan that we can monitor for you.