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Today, more and more dentists are offering Invisalign Clear Aligners in addition to traditional metal braces and ceramic Houston braces. In this article, we will discuss how Invisalign differs from metal dental braces and what to keep in mind if you are considering inquiring about Invisalign treatment.

The Difference Between Invisalign And Metal Houston Braces

Metal braces are the traditional method of straightening the teeth and have been for many decades now. This is precisely why they are still trusted by many of our South Houston dentists’ patients today.

Metal braces are, of course, made of metal, so they are rather prominent. However, the good news is that today’s metal dental braces are much lighter in weight and color, so they are more comfortable to wear. Over the course of metal Houston braces treatment, our South Houston family dentist will regularly tighten the patient's archwire in order to guide the teeth to the correct position. 

Invisalign, on the other hand, involves no wires. As their name implies, they are nearly invisible. Our patients’ custom aligner trays are made by doing a 3D scan of the patient's mouth and sending it, along with impressions, to our dental lab. Instead of tightening the archwire, we simply give patients a new aligner tray each time, which is slightly different in shape in order to move the teeth to the desired alignment.

The Pros Of Houston Invisalign Treatment

There are a number of “pros” that encourage patients to undergo Invisalign treatment, such as the fact that:

• Hardly anyone notices that a patient is undergoing any treatment, thanks to their clear design
• Invisalign Clear Aligners are removable anytime a patient wants to eat
• There are fewer (and shorter) appointments because our patients just need to put on their newest set instead of having to come in to get their wires cut and tightened

The Cons Of South Houston Invisalign Treatment

Along with many benefits, there are some downsides of Invisalign to consider before you decide you would like to undergo this treatment, including that:

• Their clear design means food particles are easily spotted when stuck between the teeth
• Food getting stuck between the teeth impedes the aligners from putting the right amount of pressure on the teeth
• The ability to remove Invisalign Clear Aligners means they can be lost if patients aren’t careful
• Invisalign must be strictly worn for 20-22 hours a day or else the desired alignment will not be achieved without extending the duration of treatment

Our South Houston Family Dentist Will Help You Decide If Invisalign Is Right For You

If you think you or your child may be a great candidate for Invisalign Clear Aligners, then please book an appointment with us so we can begin with an evaluation. At this Houston braces evaluation, we will examine your teeth to determine which is the best treatment plan for your smile.

You and/or your child has likely seen other people wearing dental braces. If someone’s braces are fairly grey in color, then chances are they're wearing metal dental braces–the most common method of correcting a malocclusion. If you see someone who appears to be wearing braces that are off-white in color and blend into the teeth very well, then they are usually wearing ceramic Houston braces. They both achieve the same goal: healthy, perfectly straight teeth, but, what’s the difference between them? Which is better? In this article, our Houston dentists–who treat families in Houston and South Houston–will answer these commonly asked questions.

Metal Houston Braces

Metal dental braces have been around for hundreds of years, though today they are much more subtle and lightweight than they used to be, which makes them much more comfortable and effective. However, because they’re metal, their natural dark grey color is quite obvious on teeth.

Metal dental braces are made up of three components:

• Metal square-shaped brackets, fixed to the front of your teeth
• Metal dark gray archwire, placed across the brackets
• O-rings, which are placed around the bracket and can be of different colors

When Our Houston Family Dentists Recommend Metal Braces

Metal dental braces work on just about any malocclusion, mild or severe. This means they have superior strength in order to reduce how long treatment would last, compared to other alternatives.

Ceramic Houston Braces

Though less common than metal braces, ceramic dental braces have risen in popularity over the years due to the fact that they are a good compromise between Invisalign and metal Houston braces, as well as for their increased subtlety over metal braces.

Ceramic braces consist of the following components:

• Ceramic brackets fixed to the front of your teeth, which blend into your natural tooth color
• Light-colored archwire placed across the brackets (silver or frosted in color)

When Our South Houston Family Dentists Recommend Ceramic Braces 

Though still strong enough to move your teeth to the proper alignment, ceramic isn’t as strong as metal, so we don’t typically recommend ceramic Houston braces for severe malocclusions. They do, however, work wonders for mild to moderate malocclusions on patients of all ages. 

Affordable Dental Braces At Our Houston Family Dentist Offices

Whether you are considering Houston braces for yourself or for your child, Centra Dental in Houston and South Houston is proud to be a top-rated office for braces as low as $99 per month. If you plan on getting Houston braces soon, please book an appointment with us so we can conduct an evaluation and determine which method of correction is best for you. In this case, neither ceramic braces nor metal braces are considered a generally "better option". It really comes down to what each individual patient needs and what their priorities are.

One of the greatest worries our Houston and South Houston patients experience when it’s time to start their Houston braces treatment is that there will be plenty of pain involved. We understand where their worry is coming from, too. After all, the idea of moving your teeth sounds rather daunting. However, don’t let this turn you away from necessary dental braces treatment; although some pain or discomfort with metal dental braces, ceramic dental braces, and Invisalign Clear Aligners is common, it is not permanent and can easily be managed. In this article, we will talk about our favorite ways to help you manage your Houston braces pain.

What Causes Houston Braces Pain?

There are a few causes of braces pain, including:

The Initial Fitting

In general, pain during your Houston braces treatment is the worst on the day you get them. This is because you have likely never worn an orthodontic appliance before, so this is a very new sensation. Over the next following days, the pain will gradually become a slight discomfort, eventually fading as you get used to them.

Certain Foods

If you eat the foods we recommend you avoid, you may get them stuck in your braces or Invisalign Clear Aligner trays, which causes tension and pain in your teeth. You could also snap your wire if you wear other types of Houston braces, which can poke at your cheek.

Tightening Your Braces

Throughout your Houston braces treatment, we will regularly tighten your wires. If you wear Invisalign, we will regularly give you a new set of aligners. When you undergo this adjustment, you may feel some discomfort but it won’t last nearly as long as the first time you got your braces.

Different Ways to Manage Pain While Wearing Dental Braces

Over-The-Counter Pain Killers

OTC pain medication is very effective when you first get your braces. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort after we tighten your wires at our Houston and South Houston family dentist offices, then consider taking some medication prior to your appointments.

Ice Packs Or Frozen Veggies

If you are feeling any soreness in the early stage of your dental braces treatment, we recommend icing the outside of your cheek where you feel discomfort. This will greatly reduce swelling and numb your mouth a little so you get some much-needed braces pain relief.

Dental Braces Wax

We give all of our Houston braces patients some orthodontic wax, which should be used if a wire or a bracket is causing pain. You can mold the wax and fit it around the affected area in order to create a barrier between the wires and the tissues in your mouth.

Our Houston Family Dentists Will Help You Manage Dental Braces Pain

Now that you know more about the adjustment period when you first get Houston braces, please book an appointment with us at our Houston or South Houston dentist offices if your pain isn’t going away, or if you are thinking about getting braces. We will gladly do an exam and give you further guidance on what to expect and how to manage your discomfort. 

As a family dentist in Houston and South Houston specializing in dental braces, patients often ask us what they can do in order to get the most out of their Houston braces treatment. In this article, our dentists will offer advice on how to best take care of your teeth while undergoing treatment so you can be proud of your beautiful smile for years to come.

Keep Up With Proper Oral Hygiene

When wearing dental braces, you might become more prone to cavities due to the fact that the braces may be “in the way” when you’re trying to keep your teeth clean. In order to minimize your risk of tooth decay, we encourage our Houston braces patients to follow a stricter braces hygiene routine. 

A stricter hygiene routine entails the following:

• Swishing water in your mouth after every snack and meal
• Thoroughly brushing your teeth after eating each of your snacks and meals
• Using an interdental brush to remove any food from between your teeth and wires until you floss that night. Please remember that an interdental brush is not a substitute for flossing. 
• Flossing nightly

By following these steps down to a T, your smile will be healthy while you wear braces and shine brighter when the metal braces come off.

Get Regular Teeth Cleanings

It’s no secret that teeth cleanings are critical to your dental health as a whole, but this is especially true when you wear metal dental braces so that our team can give you a deeper clean than you would get at home. Additionally, a cleaning enables us to check on your oral health beyond how your teeth are shifting. 

We accept several dental insurances, but know that your dental benefits (coverage for certain treatments) will expire at the end of the month. Now is your last chance to book a dental cleaning while your insurance still covers it.

Avoid Certain Textured And Sticky Foods

Your Houston braces, though very tough when it comes to straightening your teeth, are sensitive to damage. Sticky foods, such as bubble gum, or crunchy foods, such as popcorn or chips, must be avoided when you wear your braces, or else your archwire could pop out of place and cause you a great deal of discomfort while also hindering the treatment process.

Our Family Dentists In Houston And South Houston Want to Ensure Effective Treatment

If you are planning to undergo metal Houston braces treatment, or have recently started treatment, then this blog should be helpful in making certain that you have impressive results following the end of your treatment. Please also make sure to book an appointment with us so we can clean your teeth, answer any questions you may have about your treatment, and examine the health of your teeth and mouth before your dental benefits expire.