Displaying items by tag: ceramic braces

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. 

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.

Achieve a brighter, more confident smile with Houston braces. This dental treatment is an effective way to correct crooked teeth and even bite problems. Not only do they boost your self-esteem, but dental braces also improve your oral health. Now the question remains: which type of braces should you get? Our Houston dentist will perform a full examination to determine the best one for you. To give you an idea, here are the different types of braces available.

Metal Braces

Also known as traditional braces, metal braces have been around for decades. They are made from high-quality stainless steel brackets that are linked together by a thin wire. Because they put strong pressure on the teeth, they are usually recommended for more extreme cases. They are also more visible and cannot be removed. You can choose from different colored bands to go with your Houston braces. An advantage of metal braces is that it is cheaper. Metal braces can also correct oral issues that ceramic or Invisalign braces are not able to treat.

Ceramic Braces

Many adult patients choose ceramic braces because they are less visible. They resemble the natural color of teeth, so they give off a more subtle look. Some patients are able to take pictures or attend events without their braces being too noticeable. Another pro is that ceramic braces move teeth faster than Invisalign. However, take note that ceramic braces are more expensive. They also move teeth more slowly than metal braces. They’re not recommended for young patients because they are less durable, and kids may easily damage them. 

Invisalign Braces

A third type of Houston braces that are also very popular is Invisalign. This is a type of clear aligner that you can remove and put back in place. Invisalign resembles mouth guards and are custom-made for you. The biggest advantage of Invisalign is you can remove it when eating, taking pictures, attending events, etc. The downside is they are less effective when treating more complex dental 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.

Schedule a Consultation for Houston Braces Today!

Now that you have an idea of the different types of Houston braces, it’s time to consult with a Houston family dentist. Our top-rated Houston dentist at Centra Dental will take X-rays and molds to determine the right Houston dental braces for you. At our clinic, we strive to give you a pleasant and stress-free dental experience. We have surgically clean air running the whole day to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. We embrace your smiles. As such, we offer a variety of amenities and entertainment to keep you happy during your entire visit. You may also ask us about our dental service specials and insurance we accept. Contact us today to book an appointment!

The holidays are upon us, as are the sticky, sugary treats common to the season. While these indulgences are typically fine in moderation, if you or your child is undergoing South Houston braces treatment, some items are best left alone. That’s because certain foods and drinks can damage or break both South Houston metal braces and South Houston ceramic braces. Keep reading to learn some of the ways you can protect your braces this holiday season, thanks to helpful tips from our South Houston dentist. 

How Do South Houston Braces Work? 

South Houston dental braces are made up of brackets, which are cemented to each tooth and connected by a wire. Our South Houston dentist adjusts this wire periodically to slowly shift your teeth and jaw into the proper position. If your treatment plan calls for it, your South Houston dental braces may also include coils, hooks, and/or ligatures to improve effectiveness. Because these different parts of your South Houston metal braces all work together to create a straighter smile, damage to any one of these parts may delay treatment and must be fixed by our South Houston family dentist immediately. 

How Do South Houston Braces Break?

While our South Houston metal braces and South Houston ceramic braces are sturdy and often resistant to the kind of wear and tear that can cause them to break, they are not immune to damage. While this damage can occur with any one of the many small parts that comprise your South Houston braces, the most common damage is to the brackets. Our South Houston dentist uses an adhesive to affix the brackets to each tooth, and sometimes these brackets can be jarred loose. Broken brackets are most often caused by patients eating sticky and/or hard foods–like those found during the holidays—that stick the bracket and pull it from the tooth. Our South Houston family dentist advises that it’s best for you or your teen to avoid these items for now.

Protect your South Houston Braces by Avoiding These Foods

Our South Houston family dentist recommends you or your teen avoid these items in order to protect your teeth and keep your orthodontic treatment on schedule. Whether you’re wearing South Houston metal braces or South Houston ceramic braces, steer clear of these items from the holiday party snack table:

• Hard candy, lollipops, and candy canes
• Hard or crunchy foods like carrot sticks, nuts, or pretzels
• Sticky foods like toffee, taffy, and caramel

Centra Dental Can Protect Your South Houston Braces 

Even the best intentions can sometimes lead to damaged South Houston braces. If that’s the case, let our top rated South Houston dentist correct the problem in our clean and safe office. Since all Houston braces components work together to shift teeth to the proper position, damage to one part could place undue stress on the surrounding components and delay treatment.. Call our office to schedule an appointment with our South Houston family dentist before the holiday season gets even busier. At Centra Dental, we work hard to embrace your smiles!

Metal braces used to be the only choice in correcting misaligned teeth. But now, ceramic braces have become just as popular. Both have their pros and cons in your dental treatment. Your South Houston dentist at Centra Dental will help you make an informed decision. At our clinic, we embrace your smiles. Our dental service specials aim to provide quality and affordable dentistry to children and adults. Not sure which South Houston braces to choose? Read on to know more about both types.

Pros of Ceramic Braces

More and more adults are getting South Houston braces to fix crooked teeth and bite issues. They choose ceramic braces over metal ones because of appearance. South Houston ceramic braces are translucent in color. They are significantly less visible than metal braces. Ceramic braces are also more comfortable. A common complaint among those who wear metal braces is that the inside of their mouths get chafed. Since ceramic braces have no metal wires, this abrasiveness is reduced.

Cons of Ceramic Braces

South Houston ceramic braces are not meant for extreme dental problems. They address mild to moderate cases. They may be less effective than metal ones if you are looking for dramatic changes. Our South Houston family dentist will assess if you will benefit more from ceramic braces. This type of South Houston braces may also be more pricey than traditional ones.

Pros of Metal Braces

The main advantage of South Houston metal braces is their durability. They are meant to fix severe cases of misalignment and bite problems. Metal braces offer total control. They allow your South Houston dentist to fix minute details. This type is less likely to show discoloration. Ceramic braces may get stains from coffee and tea. Since metal braces come in a darker material, discoloration is less noticeable.

Cons of Metal Braces

The downside of metal braces is that they are more likely to cause discomfort. The wires and brackets may irritate the inside of your mouth. This can be addressed by using dental wax. Metal braces are also more noticeable. They are immediately visible in person and photos. Metal braces may be harder to clean. Your dentist at Centra Dental will make sure to educate you on proper hygiene and maintenance of your metal braces.

Which Type of South Houston Braces Should You Choose?

The short answer is that it depends on your case. There are those who will benefit more from metal braces. For some, ceramic braces are the better option for them. Our top-rated dentist in South Houston will thoroughly examine your teeth to determine the best treatment for you. You’ll feel at ease at our clean and safe facility. We operate with surgically clean air around the clock. If you are choosing between the two options, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us. We accept dental insurance plans. Contact us today!

Dental braces are used by your South Houston Dentist to align and straighten teeth primarily to correct a patient’s bite to treat conditions such as crowded teeth, underbite, overbite, and other jaw and teeth alignment issues. However, Houston braces can also be used to aesthetically improve a patient’s smile. Here in Centra Dental, we take pride in fostering open communication with our patients so we can educate them on how to best take care of their teeth. In this article, our South Houston family dentist will discuss the differences between ceramic braces and metal braces so that our patients can decide for themselves which is best suited for their needs.

Traditional South Houston Metal Braces

Metal dental braces are an effective and affordable way of correcting even the most severe of bite issues. Traditional Houston braces are composed of three parts: metal brackets, metal wire, and elastic ties. Metal brackets are glued by your South Houston Dentist to your front teeth with dental cement. An elastic tie anchors each metal bracket to the arch wire. The constant pressure coming from the interaction of the metal brackets and the arch wire slowly moves the teeth to the desired position.

Ceramic South Houston Braces

Ceramic dental braces function pretty much like a traditional metal brace but have gained some advancements in subtlety. We all know that traditional South Houston metal braces are quite noticeable because of its heft and dark gray metal color. Ceramic braces are recommended by your South Houston family dentist to patients who want a more discreet dental brace. Ceramic dental braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets that blend with your teeth. These ceramic brackets are also designed to attach with the arch wire directly thus removing the need for elastic ties. Ceramic Houston braces also use an arch wire but it is usually lightly colored (silver or frosted) which further decreases its visibility.

Pros and Cons: Metal Braces vs Ceramic South Houston Dentist

Here in Centra Dental, we believe that everyone deserves to have a smile they are proud to wear. That is why we offer a variety of dental braces that our patients can choose from based on their needs and budget. In the list below, our South Houston Dentist will evaluate both metal and ceramic braces on different categories:

• Cost - Traditional metal braces are more affordable than ceramic South Houston braces.
• Aesthetically pleasing - Ceramic braces are less noticeable than metal dental braces and as such are preferred by patients who put a premium on visual appearance.
• Major bite issues - Traditional metal braces are sturdier than ceramic dental braces and and as such are recommended for correcting major teeth and jaw alignment issues. While ceramic braces are suitable for most patients, extreme cases where major movements of the teeth are involved would require dental braces.

Work with your Trusted South Houston Dentist for a Stress-Free Experience

One of our priorities here in Centra Dental is ensuring a pleasant and stress-free experience for the whole family. The facility has free wi-fi and family-friendly movies are being shown in the lobby and examination rooms so mom and dad can relax while their kids are being treated. We have also implemented measures to surgically clean circulating indoor air for the benefit of our patients and staff. Call us now to schedule an appointment.

If you or your child have teeth that are crooked or misaligned, then you’re probably going to get South Houston braces in the near future. If you talk with your South Houston family dentist, you’ll find that you are going to have options to choose from, usually between ceramic braces or Invisalign treatment. Both options are effective at giving you or your child a straight and perfect smile, but one of them might be a better choice for you than the other. Let’s dive into the differences between them.

Ceramic South Houston Braces vs. Invisalign: Speed and Effectiveness

In general, ceramic braces will take between 18-24 months to do the job, while Invisalign treatment will take only an average of 12 months to complete. The trade-off of Invisalign’s faster results is that they will require more regular visits to your South Houston family dentist as retainers are swapped out at a quick pace. In contrast, ceramic braces will also require adjustments, but not as often as Invisalign. When it comes to effectiveness, both will perform equally well at fixing crooked or misaligned teeth. However, ceramic South Houston braces may be more applicable over a wider range of cases, which is why, depending on your specific case, South Houston pediatric dentistry experts may recommend them over Invisalign. 

Living With South Houston Braces: Ceramic Braces vs Invisalign

Your choice of ceramic braces or Invisalign will also impact your lifestyle during the duration of the treatment. This is another factor to discuss with your South Houston family dentist. Invisalign retainers can be removed during meals and for cleaning separately from the patient’s teeth. This makes them easier to live with than ceramic South Houston braces. Ceramic braces can require special brushes to keep clean, and also require the patient to abstain from sticky foods that may gunk them up. For this reason, South Houston Pediatric dentistry experts may recommend Invisalign for younger patients. Another factor to consider is the difference in cost. In general, ceramic braces will cost less than Invisalign treatment.

Get Your South Houston Braces From a Stress-Free and Pleasant South Houston Family Dentist

Whether you pick ceramic braces or Invisalign, our team at Centra Dental is committed to making your visits as stress-free and as pleasant as possible. Our goal is to be as helpful and caring as we can to each of our patients. Centra Dental accepts most PDP, DPPO, and PPO dental insurance plans, as well as CHIP and both Adult and Children's Medicaid, allowing us to be your trusted source for affordable braces. Get in touch with us and make an appointment to experience the Centra Dental difference!

Malocclusion is a term used to refer to an incorrect bite, improper tooth alignment, crowded teeth, and irregular teeth spacing. It’s a very common condition most often treated with dental braces, usually during a patient’s adolescent or teen years. But did you know that our South Houston cosmetic dentist offers braces for adults, too? Keep reading to learn why Houston braces might be recommended for adult patients and what options are best for you and your lifestyle. 

When Our South Houston Dentist May Suggest Adult Dental Braces

Houston braces for adults are becoming more and more popular now that this treatment has become more streamlined, affordable, and varied in its methods. Sometimes adult braces are prescribed to correct malocclusion that wasn’t treated in childhood for any number of reasons. Other times, it’s to correct a minor alignment issue that has recently become more severe. Even recent trauma or injury can lead to a need for Houston adult braces. But no matter the cause, untreated malocclusion is an unsightly and uncomfortable problem that can cause migraines, gum disease, speech impediments, and improper digestion due to difficulties chewing food. Our South Houston cosmetic dentist can explain the best plan of care for you and your needs.

Houston Braces Options for Adults with Our South Houston Dentist

Our South Houston family dentist offers a variety of treatments for adults living with crooked or misaligned teeth. After your initial consultation, we may recommend one of the following types of Houston braces for adults:

Metal Dental Braces 

The most popular and cost-effective option, these Houston braces for adults feature metal brackets that are glued to each tooth’s surface and connected by a metal wire that our South Houston family dentist tightens periodically over the course of treatment to straighten teeth. Metal dental braces have a noticeable appearance, but are effective at correcting nearly all malocclusion issues.

Ceramic Dental Braces

South Houston ceramic dental braces are composed of brackets and wires that are adjusted in order to move crooked teeth into a straighter line over time, just like metal braces. The difference is that they are constructed of clear or tooth-colored ceramic, making them less noticeable. 

Houston Invisalign

An appealing option for adults due to a virtually invisible and noninvasive design is Houston Invisalign. This treatment plan features a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually straighten teeth. They must be worn at least 22 hours each day in order to work effectively, but are removed when eating and drinking. They are more expensive than either of the options above and may not be recommended for those with severe malocclusion. 

Achieve a Winning Smile With Houston Braces For Adults 

Don’t dismiss your chance to have the confident smile you deserve! Instead, schedule an appointment with our South Houston dentist to discuss your braces for adults options and establish the treatment plan that’s right for you. Centra Dental strives to provide the highest quality care for all our patients, so come see why we’re the number one choice in South Houston family dentistry. 

In Houston, braces are quickly becoming a necessity for many reasons. The standard metal dental braces for kids are no longer the only way the consumer views braces. Style and timeline for utilization has changed with the times. At Centra Dental we value quality in the treatment planning, attachment of actual braces, and the process of creating your most beautiful and functional smile. Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Perschke are innovative and thoughtful practitioners that put patients so they can have the perfect smile. In this article, our South Houston dentists will explain the different types of affordable Houston braces we offer.

Metal Dental Braces Are What's Hot in the Houston Dental Braces Game

Just like candy, there are many styles of available braces for our clients. At Centra dental we are as skilled at attaching metal dental braces on as well as Invisalign, and Ceramic dental braces. The Snickers of the Houston dental braces world is metal dental braces. In the past you might be called a “brace-face", but now a patient is lucky enough to accessorize colors with rubber bands to be in the height of schoolyard fashion. This is the traditional view of dental braces that shows up in your mind, but we assure you, times have changed.

It’s Never Too Late to Use Houston Invisalign Braces to Build Confidence

Invisalign is more of the sour patch kid of the bunch, they are newer compared to metal bracket braces, but they are great for a responsible adult who wants to mold their professional image without advertising their braces. At Centra Dental, we use state-of-the-art technology to make perfectly fitting digital imprints to help mold your smile for beauty, and maybe a touch of confidence that might be all you need to take the next step professionally. Invisalign braces utilize adjustments just like metal bracket braces but do allow for some provided relief since the braces are removable. Just like sour patch kids don’t melt in your hands, Invisalign dental braces offer convenience to the client that other braces systems can’t.

Ceramic Dental Braces Are Less Noticeable And Can’t Be Lost

Ceramic dental braces are less noticeable than metal braces. They are the M&Ms of the Houston brace’s world the melt in your mouth and not in your hands. They offer a less noticeable style then metal braces. That is the convenience, but they are attached. You get a more subtle process and look than metal braces but can’t lose them like Invisalign braces. Houston dental braces can be gotten in this fashion or the metal braces and Invisalign styles at Centra Dental.

Brace Yourself And Get Housto Braces At Centra Dental

If you're ready to embrace your smile and give it the care it deserves, then please book an appointment with us to start the path to a prettier smile. Centra Dental has willing team members ready to get you started!

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!