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South Houston Dentists rely on time-tested dental interventions such as South Houston Braces to correct common problems with teeth spacing issues (crowded teeth or close existing gaps) and jaw and teeth alignment issues (overbite and underbite). Aside from correcting functional dental issues, South Houston Metal Dental Braces can also be used to aesthetically improve your smile. In this article, our South Houston family dentist will discuss in depth the different dental issues your South Houston braces can address.

How Traditional South Houston Braces Work

South Houston metal braces work by moving your teeth gradually as a result of force and pressure. The constant force and pressure over time slowly moves your teeth to its intended position. Scheduled adjustments are made by your South Houston dentist to direct and calibrate these forces to attain your desired smile.

Individual brackets are installed on your teeth that will serve as anchor points. These anchor points are attached to an arch wire using ligature elastics that resemble rubber bands. If you are familiar with the look of a traditional South Houston metal braces, the arch wires are the most prominent part of your metal braces and span all lower or upper teeth.

Patients who prefer dental appliances that are less noticeable may opt for South Houston ceramic braces. Ceramic braces use brackets that have the same shade as your tooth and arches that are thin and transparent. You can also avail of South Houston Invisalign, a retainer-type aligner that you can take off when eating, taking pictures, or attending events. Invisalign is perfect for minor teeth issue correction.

Dental Issues Your South Houston Braces Can Correct

As mentioned above, there are a multitude of dental issues that can be corrected by using South Houston braces. Your South Houston dentist recommend the use of dental braces for the following

Crooked, Crowded, or Gapped Tooth – South Houston braces can help straighten crooked or crowded teeth as well as close excessive gaps in between teeth.

Bite Issues – With the help of dental braces, your South Houston family dentist can correct teeth alignment issues that result in either an overbite or an underbite.

Jaw Problems – South Houston metal braces can also address problems stemming from jaw alignment such as overjet (upper front teeth protrude outward) also referred to as “buck teeth” and crossbite (upper teeth fit inside of lower teeth when mouth is closed).

Speech difficulties – In severe cases, dental problems can affect speech. South Houston dental braces can be used to restore ease of enunciating and proper flow of speech.

Work with Your Top-Rated South Houston Dentist to Get the Smile You Deserve

Centra Dental believes that everyone deserves to have a smile that they are proud of. A renewed and restored self-confidence is one of the most notable benefits of working with a top-rated dentist such as Centra Dental. Our helpful and caring staff will ensure your next visit is pleasant and stress-free. Call us now and schedule a consultation. 

Achieve a brighter, more confident smile when you get dental braces! Centra Dental offers different types of Houston braces to correct crooked teeth and bite problems. Why choose Centra Dental? We embrace your smiles. Our top-rated dentists perform all types of vital dental services while ensuring a stress-free and pleasant experience for you. We have surgically clean air circulating our facility and practice the highest standards when it comes to your safety. If you’re interested in our orthodontic services, continue reading below to know which solution is best for you. 

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces have been around for decades because they are effective in correcting misaligned teeth. Steel brackets are cemented onto the teeth and linked with a thin wire. Metal dental braces are the most common choice for children and teens. 

• Pros – Puts the strongest pressure on teeth compared to other types, making them the most effective for severe cases. Metal braces are highly durable and the cheaper option.
• Cons – They are the most visible and easily noticeable in public and in pictures. The steel material can cause discomfort in the inside of the cheeks but is addressable using dental wax. Metal braces may be harder to clean than the other types. 

Ceramic Braces

More and more adults are choosing the ceramic type for their Houston dental braces. Ceramic Houston braces are translucent in color, making them less obvious than metal ones. However, they’re not recommended for very young patients because they are less durable, and kids may easily damage them. 

• Pros – More effective than Invisalign in addressing serious dental issues. Ceramic braces are more comfortable because there are no wires. They resemble the natural color of teeth, so they are less noticeable.
• Cons – More expensive than traditional braces. They move teeth more slowly and may not be recommended for extremely crooked teeth. 

Invisalign

The latest type of Houston braces to be invented is Invisalign. This type is very popular among adults because they can barely be seen and they are removable. Invisalign resembles mouth guards and are custom-made for you. They are considered as clear aligners, which you can remove when eating, taking pictures, attending events, etc. 

• Pros – The biggest advantage of Invisalign is its clear appearance. You can easily remove them and put them back in place.
• Cons – Invisalign is less effective in treating severe cases of misalignment and bite issues.  You also need to have new Invisalign braces fit every two weeks. So if you have a busy schedule, you may want to consider other options.

Which Houston Braces Are Right for You?

Now that you have more information on the pros and cons of the three types of Houston braces, which one do you think will best suit you? Visit Centra Dental to get a better assessment! Our Houston family dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and may need to take a mold and X-ray. Start your treatment toward a brighter smile! Schedule an appointment with our Houston dentist today.

Dental braces are effective in correcting crooked teeth to give you a more confident smile. They also address bite issues, overcrowding, and too much space. If you have braces, chances are, you’d need to wear rubber bands at some point in your treatment. Elastics work by applying additional force to your teeth. Here are some reasons why you may need elastics. 

Corrects Too Much Space

South Houston braces can be used to treat spacing problems. If you have too much space in your teeth or wide gaps, your dentist may recommend rubber bands. Your elastics provide extra pressure to make sure unwanted gaps close. They are connected horizontally by hooking them onto your brackets. 

Corrects Overbites and Underbites

Elastics are used to treat both overbites and underbites. An overbite is when the upper teeth protrude too much over the lower teeth. Rubber bands are connected to the upper jaw and lower molars to correct overbites. An underbite is the opposite; it’s when the lower jaw sticks out too much. A South Houston dentist may connect elastics from your lower jaw to the upper molars to treat an underbite.

Corrects Open Bites and Crossbites

Patients who had the habit of thumbsucking may develop an open bite. This is when your upper teeth don’t touch your lower teeth when your mouth is closed. Linking your upper and lower teeth together usually treats open bites. Meanwhile, a crossbite is when a group of upper teeth are positioned behind a group of lower teeth. Your South Houston family dentist may recommend crossing elastics over your front teeth to correct a crossbite.

Types of Rubber Bands for Dental Braces

Elastics come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are available in light, medium, and heavy gauges. Your South Houston dentist will tell you which one to use, depending on the severity of your condition. You may be given a mix of sizes, as some elastics need to stretch farther than others. Whichever variety you’re prescribed, make sure to use them exactly as directed for the best results.

What to Expect With Dental Elastics

Rubber bands lose their elasticity throughout the day. You will need to change elastics once or multiple times a day. The duration of use will be determined by your South Houston family dentist. Remember to follow their instructions carefully.

Book a Treatment for South Houston Braces

Achieve the smile you’ve always wanted by booking a treatment with Centra Dental. We offer a pleasant and stress-free dental experience while ensuring you get the best possible treatment. Our top-rated dentist performs all vital services, including South Houston braces with rubber bands. Why choose Centra Dental? We embrace your smiles. We put a premium on the safety of our patients and staff. We have surgically clean air circulating all throughout as well as entertainment for the whole family. Ask us about our dental service specials! We look forward to serving you.

Your child’s smile has always brought you joy, so you’ve likely done all you can to protect it and keep it healthy. Sometimes, however, regular checkups with our South Houston dentist may not be enough to ensure your child's smile continues to shine. This is especially true in cases of malocclusion, which refers to a bad bite. If you’ve noticed your child’s teeth look crowded or crooked, you might be wondering if it’s time to get South Houston braces treatment. Keep reading to understand when our South Houston family dentist typically recommends beginning braces treatment and what to expect from the process.

Understanding South Houston Braces

When our South Houston dentist recommends dental braces, it’s usually to address malocclusion. That means your child’s bite is not aligned properly, resulting in crooked, poorly-spaced, and/or crowded teeth. The best way to correct these issues is with South Houston braces, which can be composed of metal or ceramic.

South Houston Metal Braces

The most popular and affordable option, South Houston metal braces are what most people think about when they think about dental braces. They are composed of a thin metal wire threaded through metal brackets, which are affixed to the front of each tooth using a special glue. Our South Houston family dentist will adjust this wire’s tension over the course of treatment in order to properly shift your child’s teeth into the proper position. 

South Houston Ceramic Braces

South Houston ceramic braces are similar to South Houston metal braces in terms of form and function. The main difference between the two lies in the material used to make them. South Houston ceramic braces are, as the name implies, made of ceramic brackets that blend better with your child’s natural tooth color. They are as effective as South Houston metal braces, but are more expensive and slightly less durable. Ask our South Houston family dentist if your child is a good candidate for this option.

When Your Child Should Get South Houston Braces

Our South Houston dentist will typically wait until all your child’s baby teeth have fallen out and all adult teeth have erupted before beginning South Houston braces treatment, which is usually between the ages of 10 and 14. At this age, the newly-erupted adult teeth move easier than years later, when they have more firmly set in the jaw. On occasion, our South Houston family dentist will recommend two rounds of braces treatment, the first of which will make room in the jaw for adult teeth to erupt, the second to straighten those adult teeth once they’ve come in. This typically reduces the need for more invasive procedures later.

Centra Dental Is Your Choice for South Houston Braces

If you think it’s time for your child to get South Houston braces, call us today to schedule an appointment. We’re here to answer your questions and provide our best recommendations for you and your family’s dental care. We strive to make the dental experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible with a comfortable setting, surgically-clean air, and access to movies and wi-fi. Give us a chance to embrace your smile and ask us about our dental service specials.