Traditional Metal Braces in Houston, TX

A straight, properly aligned smile can help improve oral health and function for children, teens, and adults. For many patients, traditional metal braces are a great choice for addressing orthodontic problems, like tooth misalignment and malpositioning. Teeth that are well aligned are easier to keep clean and may be at a reduced risk for developing tooth decay and gum disease. Traditional braces are an effective and proven method for repositioning teeth and are now more comfortable to wear than ever before, thanks to the use of smaller brackets and lighter-weight materials.

If you or a family member need braces, schedule a visit with our general dentist to learn about your treatment needs and options. Our Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 team can customize your orthodontic treatment to help improve oral function, comfort, and the overall appearance of your smile. To further personalize your treatment process, we offer elastic ties and rubber bands in a range of colors to help show your team spirit or unique personality. Traditional braces may be a good treatment choice for patients of all ages and those who are not likely candidates for removable clear aligner systems. For more information on straightening your family's smiles with traditional orthodontics, get in touch with our full-service Houston, TX dental center today.

Traditional braces are comprised of a system that includes brackets, archwires, bands, and elastic ties made of high-grade metal or other materials. Together, these components apply gentle, constant pressure to the teeth to gradually move them through the jawbone and into their ideal locations. Since the patient's orthodontic needs are unique, our team will customize orthodontic care to help generate the best possible results for the smile. Moving teeth into proper alignment can enhance smile aesthetics, improve eating and speaking abilities, and enhance the overall comfort of the jaw. Teeth that are straight are also usually easier to brush, floss, and maintain good health.

As a comprehensive family dental center, Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 is pleased to offer traditional braces to children, teens, and adults. During your consultation, we will review your treatment needs and help you determine if traditional braces are the right type of procedure for correcting orthodontic issues and helping you enjoy a healthy, attractive smile. Traditional braces may be recommended for patients having the following orthodontic problems:

• Overbite or underbite
• Crossbite or openbite
• Protruding or tipped teeth
• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Gaps between teeth

A thorough orthodontic consultation will provide us with the information needed to recommend the ideal treatment options for your family's needs. To learn more about your oral health condition and position of your teeth, we will take 3D cone beam scans and digital x-rays. From these highly detailed images, our Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 team will gain an in-depth understanding of your jaw, teeth, and facial structures. Impressions of your upper and lower teeth will also be taken for us to study how your jaws fit together and the type of movement that needs to take place for proper function to occur. On the day you are scheduled to receive your braces, our team will clean the enamel surfaces of your teeth and use a clear or tooth-colored bonding cement to attach your brackets. Your archwires will then be threaded through your brackets and secured in place with gray or colored elastic ties. Specific information on what to expect and how to clean your teeth while wearing braces will be given to you at that time. Regular monthly visits at our practice will be scheduled for you so that we can change your wires as needed to help meet treatment goals and keep track of your tooth movement.

Keeping your teeth and braces free from plaque and food is very important to maintaining good teeth and gum health while you are wearing braces. Since braces provide numerous areas for debris to collect, our team members will show you how to brush and floss your teeth effectively and may recommend additional home care hygiene products to help make your efforts most effective. You will likely find that cleaning your mouth after each meal is an excellent way to help maintain good oral health. Scheduling cleanings at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 at least twice each year is also an essential part of keeping your teeth, gums, and smile in great shape throughout your orthodontic care and beyond.

Soreness of the teeth and jaw is common after your braces are placed and when your wires are changed. Nonprescription pain relievers and eating a soft food diet can help provide relief during this timeframe, which may last a couple of days. While treatment plans vary among patients, the average length of time spent wearing braces is from 1 – 3 years. However, we will do our best to keep you updated on your progress and provide an estimated time for your unique orthodontic process. When your teeth have arrived in their planned locations and you no longer need your braces, we will remove your wires, bands, and brackets and polish off the orthodontic glue for a smooth finish. Impressions of your upper and lower teeth will be taken so that we can make your retainers. We strongly encourage you to wear your retainers as recommended to preserve the new position of your teeth and enable you to keep you straight smile looking attractive and confident throughout the years.

During your orthodontic visits, our Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 team will offer tips on how to best avoid emergency situations when wearing braces. There may be instances, however, where a portion of your hardware comes unattached or dislodges. We recommend that you avoid eating crunchy, hard, or sticky foods and wear a protective mouth guard when playing sports. If you or your family member experiences an emergency when wearing braces, contact our team immediately. You can try to manage your emergency in the following ways until you arrive at our office for a repair:

• Tooth or Jaw Soreness: Soreness in the teeth or jaw following the initial placement of your braces and when you have your wires changed is common. Try eating soft foods and taking nonprescription pain relievers until the discomfort subsides, which may last a couple of days. Rinsing with warm saltwater may also help to minimize any gum inflammation.

• Sharp, Loose, or Broken Wire: If your wire breaks, becomes loose, or pokes your cheek or other soft tissue, try gently pushing it back into place with a Q-tip, a set of tweezers, or a pencil eraser. Nail clippers or wire-cutters cleaned with rubbing alcohol can also be used to clip the wire behind the tooth to where it is attached. You can also cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax or sugarless gum.

• Loose Bracket or Band: Brackets or bands that come loose but remain attached to the archwire can typically be left alone until you arrive at our office to have it reattached. Orthodontic wax or sugarless gum can be used to cover and stabilize the loose piece if it is irritating your mouth.

• Loose Appliance: Orthodontic appliances, such as palatal expanders or space maintainers, that become dislodged or loose need to be reattached as soon as possible to avoid a lapse in treatment. However, orthodontic wax can be used to stabilize a loose appliance in the meantime.

Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 is pleased to be a participating provider for a number of major PPO dental insurance plans. Before your family's orthodontic treatment begins, our business staff will contact your provider to learn if orthodontic care is a covered benefit. Our caring team wants you to have access to affordable orthodontic care for a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. If you have out-of-pocket costs for braces, talk to our team about our convenient payment options along with low-cost financing through CareCredit® plans.

How long will I have to wear braces?
Braces are typically worn for about 1 – 2 years. Your unique orthodontic needs and goals will determine how long you may need to wear your braces. Our orthodontists will ensure that their recommendations provide you with optimal results. If you are interested in learning more about traditional metal braces, contact our Jersey Village, TX office to schedule a consultation.

What foods should I avoid when wearing braces?
Certain foods should be avoided when you have braces because they can damage the brackets and wires that make up your braces. It is important to avoid hard and chewy foods like caramel, bagels, and gum, along with hard foods like carrots, nuts, popcorn, and hard candies. Your orthodontist will review what foods should be avoided and what foods are safe to eat once your braces have been applied.

Do traditional braces work the same as clear aligners?
Traditional metal braces, like clear aligners, place light pressure on your teeth to gently move them into the desired position. In some cases, one orthodontic treatment may be recommended over the other, but typically, patients will be able to choose. At your consultation, our team will discuss your options with you so that you can make the best decision for your oral health and your lifestyle.

Getting the straight, healthy smiles your family needs can be convenient and affordable. As a full-service family dental practice, Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 is pleased to bring high-quality orthodontic care to Houston, TX patients of all ages. Traditional metal braces are smaller and more comfortable than ever before and are an effective option for addressing bite misalignment, crooked or crowded teeth, and other orthodontic concerns. Improve the function and appearance of your family's smiles. Schedule a consultation with us and discover the treatment solutions available to meet your unique needs.