Receiving braces has become one of the most common dental procedures in the US. There are more than 4 million Americans who currently wear braces and there has been a 25% increase of people wearing braces over the past 25 years. At Centra Dental, we believe that this popularity with braces is a very big positive because it lets us know that more people are taking their oral health more seriously.

It can often be mistaken that braces are worn merely for superficial reasons. But beauty isn’t the sole purpose behind straightening teeth. Metal braces can correct or even prevent future problems in teeth, such as malocclusion. This can lead to food particles becoming hard to reach, which can cause cavities and other more severe oral problems.

When it comes to metal braces, however, most people get them for one particular reason: beautification. The smile is arguably the most memorable part of a person’s face, so there’s no shame in wanting braces for the mere reason of wanting to look your very best. You definitely aren’t alone, as we mentioned before about the 4 million currently wearing braces. But of those millions, there are plenty of big name celebrities, globally, who have braced their face. No, not even the celebrities are born with perfectly straight teeth.

This Buzzfeed article does a fine job of pointing out the celebrities who have had braces, including some of the biggest names like Prince Harry, Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Gwen Stefani.

If you’re looking for more proof (or encouragement) of who has received braces and come out looking fabulous, then check this article with other Hollywood celebrities who took the metal braces plunge. Many of them decided to have their teeth straightened later in life, like in their 30’s. But you won’t find them complaining.

The average time it takes for braces to work can range between 12 and 24 months. But, as made obvious in these articles, it is definitely worth the wait.

If you are considering braces because you want your teeth to be straightened or are suffering from malocclusion, then contact our dental office today in South Houston. We will provide you with a thorough oral examination and advise you on what you need to get your teeth exactly where you want them to be.

Dentistry continues to develop new technologies that help patients preserve their teeth and overall oral health. At Centra Dental in South Houston, we utilize these new medical breakthroughs to better serve you and your family. It is our primary goal to ensure you have a beautiful and healthy smile. One of those dental breakthroughs is the usage of Nu-Crowns.

For patients with weak teeth or deep cavities, Nu-Crowns can strengthen and revitalize a smile. Dental crowns are one of the most common types of dental procedures performed. Crowns are used to save existing teeth from further decay and enable a patient to return to the normality of chewing and speaking as if their teeth had always been healthy.

Dental crowns have allowed patients the opportunity to save their existing teeth on a long term basis, rather than having to opt to have their teeth pulled due to decay.

WHAT DO NU-CROWNS DO?

Nu-Crowns have taken the existing dental crown technology and expanded it to simplify the process of utilizing crowns. Here are several ways Nu-Crowns have simplified the dental crown procedure:

• Dental Margins - Nu-Crowns provide extreme accuracy when it comes to aligning new dental crowns to the rest of the existing teeth. Due to excess resin in these crowns, our dentists are able to choose from two or three different crowns to fit each tooth. This allows for more accurate fitting.
• Close Contact - Teeth need to be close together in order to help prevent food particles from becoming stuck or from allowing individual teeth to become weakened. Close neighboring teeth strengthens all of the teeth, and this is one of the benefits of Nu-Crowns. Nu-Crowns ensure there is close contact with neighboring teeth.
• Occlusion - When the mouth closes, both jaw lines should be aligning correctly. There should be no unevenness with the teeth, which is called malocclusion. Malocclusion can cause stress on certain teeth in the mouth due to all of the pressure being placed on them. Due to this, those teeth can become weakened and even begin to break down. Nu-Crowns helps create a perfect alignment and alleviates those problems.
• Faster Procedure - Since Nu-Crowns allow for dentists to choose from several crowns, it enables the procedure to be performed quicker. Along with the dental procedure being conducted in a more timely manner, Nu-Crowns also are more economical.

ARE YOU IN NEED OF DENTAL CROWNS?

If you are suffering from deep cavities or weak teeth, then Nu-Crowns may be exactly what you need. Our Centra Dental dentists will provide a thorough examination of your teeth to conclude precisely your dental needs. You may simply need dental fillings or you may require dental crowns. Our dentists will discuss what is needed for you to continue with the best oral health possible. Contact our office today and schedule your dental appointment.

Braces are extremely common in the US. When you see someone who has very straight teeth, chances are they had braces at one point in time.

Since braces are so common, it is obvious that crooked, misaligned, or gapped teeth are even more common. Currently there are about 4 million Americans that have braces. About 3 million of these people are less than 18 years old.

REASONS TO RECEIVE EARLY ORTHODONTICS

Receiving braces early can be very beneficial. Here are some reasons why you should consider early orthodontics:

Oral Health - If your teeth or your child’s teeth are crooked, gapped, or misaligned, also known as malocclusion, this can create oral health issues. Food particles can become stuck in hard-to-reach places, which can lead to cavities and other serious problems. When food and plaque buildup isn’t removed in a timely manner, it can lead to gum disease and the decaying of teeth. Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to dental procedures, like root canals, crowns, dental implants, and other expensive oral surgeries.

Self-Confidence - You understand the importance of confidence. If you are confident, then you are more apt to try new things and take on challenges, like leadership roles. Kids and teenagers are no different and should always feel confident as they grow up. Crooked teeth shouldn’t be what holds them back or creates a lack of self-esteem. Ensure your child is able to smile freely by giving them a beautiful smile with braces.

Great Price - At Centra Dental in South Houston, we offer all of our dental clients a great price on braces. Starting at only $1995, our braces are very affordable. We work with all of our patients on payment plans and we also take most PDP, DPPO, and PPO dental insurance plans.

CENTRA DENTAL: YOUR EARLY ORTHODONTICS CHOICE

Whatever your reason for needing braces, our dental office in South Houston can ensure you receive the best dental treatment. Most braces are worn anywhere between 12 to 24 months. No matter how long you have to wear braces, we will be there for you every step of the way to make sure your teeth come out looking amazing. At Centra Dental, we want you to always have a beautiful and healthy smile.

Contact our office today and schedule your appointment to see what kind of braces would work best for you.

Wisdom teeth. It’s strange that we call them this since more often than not, we recommend having them removed. Although we are figuratively removing wisdom, at Centra Dental, we think it’s a really smart move.

Wisdom teeth are molars at the end of the line on all four corners of the jawline. There are various reasons why our dentists at Centra Dental recommend these teeth being removed.

Reasons to remove wisdom teeth:

Out of Line - Wisdom teeth often become problematic for our dental patients because they can grow too high compared to the other molars. When this happens, it creates trauma to the teeth and gums. Patients often complain of pain from the wisdom teeth.

Crowding - Sometimes the wisdom teeth can cause crowding of the molars, which can lead to discomfort, pain, and swelling of the gums. The problem could worsen by causing a shift in the teeth. If your wisdom teeth are creating havoc on your other molars, then we recommend you coming in soon to have them removed.

Hard to Maintain - Wisdom teeth, since they are so far in the back of your mouth, can be difficult to reach and properly clean. When teeth aren’t properly cleaned consistently, plaque begins to build up, food particles are missed, and cavities begin to take root. Cavities that go untreated can lead to much bigger problems and can become very painful. If your wisdom teeth aren’t receiving the proper care because they are difficult to reach and maintain, then you may want to consider having them removed.

Post-Orthodontic - There have been times that wisdom teeth come in late, after someone has received braces. Because of the force of these teeth, they can negate the positive results of having had braces. They can actually move your teeth back to being misaligned or crooked, requiring dental patients to receive further orthodontic work.

ARE YOUR WISDOM TEETH A PROBLEM?

Your wisdom teeth may be a problem and you don’t even know it. Some patients don’t even notice their wisdom teeth until it they become a problem. Having our dentist at Centra Dental examine your oral condition and conduct an X-ray to see the status of your wisdom teeth can ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.

If your wisdom teeth are hurting you, then contact us today and schedule your dental appointment to have them removed.