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Getting braces can be nerve-wracking if you don’t know what to expect. After all, treatment with braces is a long-term commitment that requires monthly visits to the dentist’s chair. But the sacrifice soon pays off, as you’re rewarded with a more confident, beautiful smile. South Houston metal braces are effective in correcting crooked or misaligned teeth as well as bite issues. To alleviate some of your stress, our South Houston dentist has laid out what you can expect from the entire experience.

Referral and Initial Consultation

Usually, a South Houston family dentist is the first to notice if you or your child needs braces. They will refer you to an orthodontist who specializes in your dental concern. During the first consultation, your orthodontist will carefully examine your teeth and take X-rays or impressions. They will also ask you about your dental history to create a treatment plan fit for your needs. 

Placement of Braces

During your fitting, your dentist will place a cheek retractor to keep your teeth visible and dry. They will prep your teeth by polishing, conditioning, and priming them for protection. Metal brackets are placed on each of your teeth using dental cement. Your dentist strategically places the brackets and wires to correct any gaps, overcrowding, and bite issues. The entire fitting procedure may take 1 to 2 hours.

Regular Visits

It’s important to visit your dentist regularly, at least once a month to ensure your progress. During each visit, your dentist will tighten the wires or reposition brackets as they see fit. You can expect mild pain or discomfort shortly after an adjustment, as your teeth are being moved to their proper position. The pain is temporary and usually goes away after 3 to 4 days. 

Maintaining Your Braces

Your dentist will teach you about proper hygiene and care for your South Houston metal braces. You’re still required to come in for regular dental cleaning to prevent cavities and tooth decay. You may also be asked to wear dental elastics to aid in your treatment. If you feel sharp pain due to your braces chafing your skin, you can ask for dental wax.

Removal of Braces

The average duration of treatment is 1 to 3 years, depending on the severity of your condition. Removal is relatively fast and painless. You’ll be happy with the results of your new and improved smile.

Schedule Your South Houston Metal Braces Treatment Today!

Thinking of getting South Houston metal braces? Turn to Centra Dental where we embrace your smiles! Our facility takes cleanliness and the safety of our patients and staff very seriously. We have surgically clean air circulating as well as amenities to keep your family entertained. We strive to make your dental experience as stress-free and pleasant as possible. Book a consultation with our top-rated dentist today!

Do you want straighter teeth without having to get metal braces? Invisalign is a great option for adults who want to correct dental issues using a subtle, clear aligner. Made from a flexible thermoplastic material, South Houston Invisalign makes orthodontic treatment less conspicuous.  But does Invisalign really work? Let’s take a look at the benefits of this advanced dental treatment.

Pros of Invisalign

Less Visible

A selling point of South Houston Invisalign is its near transparency. Compared to traditional South Houston braces, Invisalign is not easily noticeable when worn. Many adults choose Invisalign so they can go about their lives without a drastic change in appearance.

Fixes Dental Issues

Just like other types of braces, Invisalign treats a range of misaligned and crooked teeth. It also corrects bite problems, such as overbites and underbites. If you have mild to moderate overcrowding or too much spacing, your South Houston dentist may recommend Invisalign over other types of braces.

Can Be Removed

Metal and ceramic braces are fixed to your teeth, but South Houston Invisalign can be removed. If you have an important event or photo shoot, you can take off your Invisalign for an hour or so. You must also remove it when eating and brushing. Keep in mind though not to remove it for more than 2 hours or it may affect your treatment progress.

Customized to You

Invisalign is effective because it is customized specifically to your orthodontic needs. Your South Houston family dentist takes an accurate 3D scan of your teeth. After your first set of Invisalign does its job, you will graduate from them and move on to the next custom set. This way, they are fitted according to your evolving bite until you get the desired results.

Ways to Make Invisalign More Effective

Keep in mind that Invisalign is not designed for complex dental issues. These are reserved for traditional braces that put stronger pressure on teeth. To maintain the progress of your Invisalign treatment, you must strictly comply with your dentist’s instructions. Invisalign requires daily cleaning. Make sure not to subject your aligners to unsuitable conditions, as the plastic can warp. If you think you altered the fit in any way, visit your dentist so your treatment is not held back. Also remember to wear your Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours a day to achieve its full benefits.

Start Treatment With South Houston Invisalign

Book your appointment for South Houston Invisalign with only a reputable dental clinic. At Centra Dental, we embrace your smiles. Our top-rated dentist provides all vital services, including dental cleaning, root canal, implants, and more. We have a modern and safe facility with surgically clean air circulating throughout. Why Centra Dental? We offer a variety of amenities to make sure your visit is as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Schedule a dental service with us today!

Getting your Houston braces removed after a significant amount of time wearing them is in itself a reward. Doing so allows you to fully appreciate the improvement your Houston family dentist has done on your pearly whites. Our helpful and caring staff are familiar with the glowing smile radiating from patients who have just had their Houston braces removed. However, your treatment is not yet over because you will most probably have to wear a retainer. In this article, our top-rated Houston dentist will discuss why Houston braces patients need to wear a retainer after their treatment.

How Houston Braces Work?

As you probably may well know, your Houston braces work by applying constant force to your teeth and jaw to slowly coax them into the desired position. These forces are applied to your teeth through brackets that are glued to them and the archwire that are tethered to the brackets. As your braces move your teeth, your top-rated Houston family dentist performs regular adjustment to get your teeth to move to the target position.

We think of teeth and jaws as fairly fixed parts of our mouth and are quite immovable. So how do your teeth move during a Houston braces treatment? Your teeth are attached to your jaw through your gums and fibrous ligaments. The gums and fibrous ligaments are what is being acted upon by the forces coming from your Houston ceramic braces.

What Does a Retainer Do After Houston Braces?

During the treatment, the gums and fibrous ligaments that hold your teeth become loose. When the braces are removed, the gums don’t tighten for a while so they offer no resistance to your teeth moving around. This is why almost all patients who have undergone a Houston Braces treatment will have to wear a retainer.

The length of time you will need to wear a retainer after your Houston metal braces treatment will vary depending on your Houston family dentist’s assessment of your situation but it is typically for several months to a year or longer. Wearing a retainer will help your teeth keep their new positions. Retainers help prevent this from happening by holding your teeth in place until your gums and fibrous ligaments stabilize and adapt to the new tooth positions.

When It Comes to Houston Braces, Work Only with the Top-Rated Dentists

Here at Centra Dental, we believe that everyone deserves to have a smile they are proud to wear. That is why we have come up with a wide range of dental services that can cater to the specific needs of their customers. We have pooled top-rated general and family dentistry practitioners to provide the highest quality of dental care. We have assembled a team of helpful and caring staff to guarantee that your visits to our clinic are pleasant and stress-free. Call us now and let us help you embrace your smile.

Every time you go in for an appointment with your Houston dentist, they will tighten your braces to maintain your progress. Metal dental braces put pressure on your teeth in order to make it move. Your dentist positions the brackets and wires in a way that would make you one step closer to your ideal set of teeth. The discomfort is worth it, as braces are effective in correcting a range of dental issues. 

Over-the-Counter Pain Meds

One way to manage the pain is to take drug store medication. Usually, you can take pain relief an hour before your dental appointment. Oral anesthetic gels are also a good option if the pain becomes intolerable.

Ice Pack

Place an ice pack on the outside of your cheek to reduce inflammation. Ideally, you should do this for 20 minutes. The cold provides temporary pain relief by numbing the area involved.

Cold and Soft Foods

After having your South Houston braces tightened, treat yourself to a nice bowl of ice cream. The cold temperature will help numb your gums and teeth. While you have discomfort, stick with soft food, like soup, mashed potatoes, and smoothies.

Ortho Wax

Especially for first-time patients, the wires on your metal braces can cause abrasions to the inside of your cheeks. Orthodontic wax is a great way to prevent sharp ends from irritating your mouth.

How Long Does the Pain Last?

You will feel pressure immediately after getting your South Houston braces tightened. The pain will peak from about 6 hours onwards. It usually lasts for 4 days, with the pain lessening as each day passes. Houston dental braces shouldn’t hurt for more than 7 days after getting an adjustment. If this happens, consult with your Houston family dentist.

Book an Appointment for South Houston Braces

Thinking about getting South Houston braces to achieve a more confident smile? Centra Dental’s top-rated dentists provide personalized care to make the whole experience pleasant for you. At Centra Dental, we embrace your smiles. We offer all vital dental services, including orthodontic treatments. You can feel safe at our clinic with our surgically clean air circulating the entire time. Why else should you choose Centra Dental? We have amenities and entertainment to make sure your visit is as stress-free as possible. Ask us about our dental service specials and insurance! We look forward to your visit.