News

If you’ve read our article about why kids should get Houston braces early on, then chances are you agree that, with the school year starting again soon, now is a great time to start asking about having your child undergo Houston braces treatment. Our family dentist–which treats children and their parents at our dental offices in Houston and South Houston–offers various types of Houston braces. Keep reading to learn more about them.

Metal Houston Braces

Metal dental braces are the most common Houston braces treatment our Houston and South Houston dentists offer. Metal braces are very strong and feature up to four components:

• Metal brackets
• Gray archwire
• O-rings
• Rubber bands (if necessary; they are perfect for correcting overbites)

Our affordable metal Houston braces even allow our patients to enjoy some creative freedom by customizing the colored rings we place around their brackets.

Ceramic Dental Braces

Similar to metal Houston braces, ceramic braces forgo the metal (as their name suggests) and are, instead, made up of:

• Ceramic brackets
• Frosted/light gray archwire
• O rings
• Rubber bands (if necessary)

Ceramic Houston braces are well-favored because they mimic the natural color of our patients’ teeth, making for a far more subtle dental braces treatment while still effectively correcting the alignment of mild to moderate malocclusions (bad bites).

Invisalign South Houston Braces

Our third option for Houston braces treatment is Invisalign Clear Aligners. Though this method of correcting a bad bite is newer than metal dental braces, it is highly effective and recommended for patients who have a mild malocclusion. Invisalign braces only consist of the plastic clear aligners, but rather than tightening the archwire–as we would with ceramic or metal dental braces–we simply give our Houston braces patients a brand new set of Invisalign clear aligners that will continuously re-shape the bite until it is straight.

Which Type Of Houston Braces Are Right For Your Child?

Our dental practice in Houston and South Houston is known for its affordable Houston braces, but with so many options, how do you know which is right for your child as they embark on their new school year? If you’re ready to learn more about dental braces treatment, please book an appointment with our Houston and South Houston family dentists so we can initiate a Houston braces consultation. At this consultation, we will assess your child’s bite and discuss their needs/wants. Depending on all of these factors, we will determine which type of Houston braces treatment is best for them and for how long they may expect to wear their braces. We look forward to giving your child a beautiful, healthy smile they are proud to show off!

Most of our South Houston dentist patients who undergo dental braces treatment are children, but did you know that we also get a fair amount of adult patients? Just because we recommend getting braces when you’re a child does not mean getting braces later is out of the question. Adults can and should wear Houston braces if they have a malocclusion.

Malocclusions Affect People of All Ages

Different malocclusions warrant different Houston braces treatments. If you had a malocclusion–which is defined as a bad bite–as a kid, then chances are it did not go away when you became an adult. If left unaddressed, malocclusions will cause multiple problems for your dental health. Such problems that our adult patients come to our South Houston dentist for include:

• Headaches
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Speech impairments
• Difficulty chewing and digesting. 

Dental braces at our Houston and South Houston dentist offices help correct these issues, even if the correction takes a little longer.

Centra Dental Offers Multiple Houston Braces Options for Adults

Today, Houston braces are much more subtle and lightweight than they used to be, so adults and teenagers alike can wear them without feeling as self-conscious. We offer metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign to suit different types of malocclusions, as well as different patient preferences.

South Houston Invisalign

For adults with minor malocclusions, Invisalign may be favorable as the most flexible and subtle treatment option because it helps adults feel less worried about having a smile covered by metal.

South Houston Ceramic Dental Braces

On the other hand, adults who suffer more moderate malocclusions may benefit more from either metal braces or ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are the next most subtle treatment option, as both the brackets and the archwire blend in with the color of the teeth more easily while being a little stronger than Invisalign.

South Houston Metal Dental Braces

Metal braces, while more subtle and comfortable than they used to be, are still a bit noticeable. However, they work on all malocclusions, especially the most severe cases. Our metal braces can move teeth vertically, align teeth that are higher than they should be, and also rotate teeth.

Centra Dental In South Houston Helps Adults Achieve A Healthy Smile With Houston Braces

If you are an adult hoping to straighten your teeth, please book an appointment with us so our South Houston dentists can complete your orthodontic evaluation. We will address your concerns and determine the best treatment plan for you.

Now that summer break is in full swing, parents may be thinking about having their children begin South Houston braces treatment. If that’s the case with your family, our South Houston dentist is ready to examine your child’s teeth and determine if Houston braces are needed. 

Summer Is The Perfect Time For Braces

Getting braces during summer break is great because your child isn’t in school anymore, which allows for more flexible scheduling. Further, children will have this time away from school to get used to their new dental braces, meaning any discomfort won’t be a distraction during classes. When Houston braces are worn correctly, patients notice a significant difference in their teeth, so when the next school year comes, your child will feel more confident when showing off their smile.

Signs Your Child Might Need Houston Braces By Our Dentists In Houston Or South Houston

Does your child’s smile exhibit any of the following?:

• Crooked teeth
• Gaps in their smile
• Crowded teeth
• Underbite
• Overbite

Then chances are they need braces. Our dentists in Houston and South Houston offer ceramic dental braces, metal dental braces, and even Invisalign, all of which are made affordable! Getting a straighter, healthier smile doesn’t have to break the bank when you entrust our dentists with your Houston braces treatment.

Which Houston Braces Should Your Child Get?

With our various dental braces options, it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for your child this summer. When we start discussing Houston braces treatment, we will move forward with a Houston braces consultation that will give us insight on whether Invisalign, metal Houston braces, or ceramic Houston braces are right for your child’s unique case. 

Think This Summer Is The Right Time For Your Child To Undergo Houston Braces Treatment? Visit Centra Dental In Houston And South Houston!

Serving families in Houston and South Houston, we are proud to be the top-rated choice for affordable Houston braces. If you’re wondering about having your child undergo dental braces treatment, please book an appointment with us so we can begin with a consultation. We accept various insurance plans and dedicate ourselves to helping your child achieve their best dental health. We can’t wait to embrace your child’s smile this summer!

If you’re near the end of your Houston braces treatment, then our South Houston family dentists have probably already spoken to you about why you must wear an orthodontic retainer after your Houston braces treatment. There are multiple types of orthodontic retainers available to patients, and which we recommend to you will depend on your particular case. The most common type of orthodontic retainer is the Hawley retainer–sometimes called a wire retainer. In this article, we will discuss how to wear your Hawley wire retainer and take care of it.

What Is A Hawley Retainer?

Hawley retainers–also referred to as removable retainers or wire retainers–are made up of two components:

• Acrylic Base: This base is custom shaped to fit the roof of your mouth and behind your lower teeth. Patients can pick what color they want their base to be.
• Metal Wire: The wire component runs across your teeth, similar to the archwire of your South Houston metal braces or South Houston ceramic braces.

Together, these retainers hold your teeth in place while your teeth settle in the soft tissues of your mouth. How long you wear your retainers will depend on your particular case, but our South Houston family dentist often recommends you wear them 24/7 for 6 months to a year (with the exception of mealtimes) and then only at night afterward.

Taking Care Of Your Wired Retainer After Houston Braces Treatment At Our South Houston Dentist Office

Much like how you have to take care of your teeth while wearing braces in order to enjoy the best results, you also have to take care of your retainers. Here’s how.

Brushing Your Removable Retainers

Brush your Hawley retainer with lukewarm water after every meal with a soft toothbrush. You don’t need to use toothpaste, as this can damage the acrylic, but do be sure to gently scrub it,

Soak Your Hawley Retainer

At your next appointment with our South Houston family dentist, ask if soaking your retainers in a special cleaning solution is an option. We can recommend what works best for your retainers and the best way to do so.

Our South Houston Family Dentist Will Determine If Hawley Retainers Are Right For You

As you near the end of your Houston braces treatment, please book an appointment with our South Houston family dentist so we can take impressions of your teeth. Following the impressions, we will send them to our lab to make your retainers. If we determine that Hawley retainers are right for you, we will have them made and provide you with detailed instructions on how to wear them.