South Houston braces

It’s always exciting to get your South Houston braces removed after years of wearing them. The countless trips to your South Houston dentist have finally paid off as you showcase your new and improved smile. However, your treatment isn’t over. Retainers are important to prevent relapse of your old, misaligned teeth. After carefully removing the brackets, wires, and excess cement, your dentist will ask you to wear retainers. So why should you have to endure more months—or even years? Read on to know the importance of dental retainers.

Prevents Shifting of Teeth in Kids and Teens

Many of our patients who come in for South Houston braces are children and teenagers. Compared to adults, their bones have not yet fully set in and they are still developing. This means that their teeth could go back to their original state after getting braces removed. In addition, their wisdom teeth have not yet erupted. Retainers are absolutely necessary so that their teeth do not shift in position. 

Sets in Newly Aligned Teeth

Retainers are especially necessary for patients who had issues with spacing corrected. Overcrowding is when there is not enough space in your mouth to align your teeth. On the other hand, too much space can result in gaps in your teeth. If you had such cases treated with South Houston braces, then retainers are a must to maintain newly aligned teeth.

Keeps Corrected Bite in Place

Dental braces are also an effective treatment for underbites and overbites. Extra appliances are used, such as elastics and springs, to correct bite problems. Because your jaws were forcibly moved, they could go back to their original positioning after the braces were removed. To prevent this and keep your new bite in place, you must wear retainers.

How Long Should You Wear Retainers?

Most patients wear their retainers anywhere from 4 months to 2 years—sometimes even more. Your South Houston family dentist will determine how long you should wear retainers. The duration will depend on your age, number of years with braces, and severity of your condition. 

Keeping Your Retainers Clean

Remember to keep your retainers in a case when you’re not using them, and keep this case accessible to you at all times. You can clean your retainers with a towel or cleaning brush. You may also be directed to soak it in a denture cleaner. Keep your retainers away from extreme heat, pets, and children.

Schedule an Appointment for South Houston Braces Today!

At Centra Dental, we embrace your smiles. We are committed to making your dental experience as stress-free and pleasant as possible. While waiting, you can watch movies and connect to our Wi-Fi while your children play with toys. At our facility, we take hygiene very seriously. We have surgically clean air circulating, and we always sanitize our equipment to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Ask us about our dental services specials and affordable rates. Visit us today for your concerns with South Houston braces and retainers!

If you’ve been fitted with braces at Centra Dental, you’re already on the path to achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. Houston braces are a powerful tool in correcting alignment issues, but for many patients, elastics (also known as rubber bands) play a critical role in the success of their orthodontic treatment. If you’ve been advised to wear elastics with your braces, it’s essential to follow through—doing so can significantly impact your treatment's outcome and duration. Let’s explore why wearing elastics with your Houston braces is a must.

What Are Elastics and Why Are They Important?

Elastics are small rubber bands that are attached to your Houston braces. They work alongside the brackets and wires to apply additional pressure, helping to align your teeth and correct your bite. Elastics are typically used to address issues such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other jaw alignment problems that braces alone can’t fix.

Wearing elastics is crucial because they speed up the movement of your teeth and jaw into the correct position. By applying consistent pressure, elastics help shift the teeth and bones to create a balanced, functional bite. Without wearing them as directed, your treatment could be prolonged, and the desired results may be compromised.

Benefits of Wearing Elastics With Houston Braces

Faster Treatment Time: When you wear your elastics consistently, they help to speed up the correction process. The constant pressure ensures that your teeth are moving as efficiently as possible, potentially reducing the overall time you need to wear Houston braces.

Improved Bite Alignment: Elastics are often used to correct bite issues, such as overbites or underbites, that braces alone cannot fully address. Wearing your elastics as prescribed ensures that your bite is properly aligned, which is essential for a healthy smile and optimal jaw function.

Avoiding Setbacks: If you don’t wear your elastics as instructed by your Houston family dentist, your teeth may move back into their previous positions, undoing some of the progress your braces have already made. This could extend your treatment time and even lead to the need for additional orthodontic work.

Achieving the Best Results: Ultimately, wearing your elastics ensures that you achieve the best possible outcome from your braces. A properly aligned smile not only enhances your appearance but also improves oral health by making it easier to maintain clean teeth and gums.

Centra Dental Embraces Smiles

At Centra Dental, we understand the importance of creating beautiful, healthy smiles. We emphasize the role of elastics in achieving optimal orthodontic results and encourage our patients to follow their treatment plans carefully. Our clean, safe facility ensures that you and your family receive the best dental experience possible in a welcoming environment.

We strive to make every visit comfortable and stress-free, offering top-quality orthodontic care for patients of all ages. By wearing your elastics as directed, you’re partnering with us to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Achieve a More Beautiful Smile With Houston Braces

Wearing elastics with your Houston braces is essential for ensuring a successful and timely orthodontic treatment. Elastics play a vital role in correcting bite issues and improving the overall alignment of your teeth. At Centra Dental, we’re committed to helping you embrace a smile that’s healthy, beautiful, and long-lasting. Follow your Houston dentist’s treatment plan, wear your elastics as prescribed, and look forward to a lifetime of confident smiles! Contact us today to book your appointment.