How do Braces help to Fix Your Crooked Teeth?

Dental braces are appliances that help correct crooked and crowded teeth besides a misaligned jaw called malocclusion. Braces are routinely used during adolescence, but more adults receive corrective dental braces later.

Metal or ceramic helps make braces with wires and bonding material attached to your teeth. Orthodontics 77070, a dentist specializing in these appliances and treatments, provides braces for adolescents and adults if needed.

Treatment success with braces can vary depending on the patient’s age and treatment goals. However, braces generally rely on a patient using them, but their effectiveness depends on the patient and their ability to follow their orthodontist’s instructions.

How Do Braces Work?

Braces work by moving your teeth, exerting pressure on them for a stipulated period to ensure the shape of your jaw adapts to the stress. You may think your teeth are connected directly to your jawbone, and imagine how they are movable. However, beneath your gums, there is a membrane surrounded by the bones and roots of your teeth to your jaw. The membrane controls the position of your teeth, and it responds to the pressure exerted on your teeth by braces.

When getting braces in Houston, TX, the process isn’t painful during the appointment, and the professional needs a couple of hours to mount them on your teeth. However, you will experience discomfort during the first week after getting braces on them. You must endure this adjustment period to achieve beautiful teeth and better oral hygiene. Braces need adjustments monthly by the orthodontist making the discomfort an ongoing problem.

Versions of Braces

The kind of braces the orthodontist recommends will depend on various factors like your age, the complexity of your situation, and crooked teeth. Braces are customized according to your needs. The most common braces come with metal brackets attached to all your teeth, with an archwire putting pressure on the teeth and your jawline. Elastic O-rings also connect the archwire to the brackets.

The archwire needs periodic adjustments as your teeth gradually move to the desired place, and the bands are replaced during monthly orthodontic appointments.

If metal brackets and wires appear ungainly in your mouth, consider the less visible ceramic braces or even lingual braces attached behind your teeth to achieve your goal. In addition, recent innovations now make available clear aligners not attached to your teeth but removable appliances that also help straighten mild to moderate imperfections with your teeth without considering jaw misalignment.

The Speed of Treatment with Braces

How quickly you respond to treatment with braces varies between patients. You can expect to wear braces for 1 to 3 years, depending on the situation’s complexity. However, if you follow your orthodontist’s instructions to the word, you can ensure you achieve the results in the shortest time possible.

How to Care for Your Braces?

When you start treatment with braces, the dentist near you suggests avoiding some foods that can remain trapped between them and your gumline. The foods they suggest not having include hard Candy, popcorn, chewing gum, et cetera. Braces make your teeth more inclined to trap foods and result in tooth decay, making it essential to remain cautious about having sugary and starchy foods and beverages responsible for enamel erosion.

The braces also make it essential to schedule monthly visits with the orthodontist for adjustments. The professional will verify you are maintaining your oral health and caring for your braces as recommended. They will also replace the elastic O-rings when required.

Dental Hygiene with Braces

It would help if you remained extra careful about your oral hygiene with braces on your teeth. For example, brushing after every meal helps keep food from staying trapped between the appliance and your teeth. In addition, to maintain appropriate oral hygiene, you can use unique floss from orthodontists to clean around the braces twice daily.

You can also purchase a Waterpik that makes it easy to navigate around your braces to clean challenging-to-reach areas. Interdental toothbrushes are also helpful for cleaning beneath and around the archwires and brackets. With braces on your teeth, it helps if you schedule meetings with the dentist nearby for cleanings every six months.

Braces function by exerting pressure on your jawline to change the appearance of your smile. In addition, they also allow you to have a correctly aligned jaw to impact your appearance and overall health.

Braces do not deliver overnight results and work gradually. Therefore if you are considering braces, speak to the orthodontist in Houston to start your treatment as soon as possible.

Oasis Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics provides orthodontic braces for teenagers and adults if required to straighten teeth and a misaligned jaw. Consult them if you are curious about this treatment and intend to have better-looking teeth and overall health by correcting orthodontic imperfections in your mouth.

A Comparison Guide between Mouth Guards Vs. Retainers

You might think mouthguards and retainers are similar because they resemble each other. However, differences exist between these two dental appliances created by dentists for different purposes.

What Are Mouth Guards and Retainers?

While mouthguards may appear similar to retainers made from plastic, their functionality protects your teeth from damage impacts on your mouth from accidents, sporting activity, teeth grinding if affected by bruxism, et cetera. In contrast, retainers are created to help your newly shifted teeth in their new positions after undergoing orthodontic treatment. Which appliance best suits your needs depends on your unique circumstances besides the advice provided by your dentist.

Bruxism Explained

Teeth grinding, medically termed bruxism, is a chronic grinding of the teeth consciously or subconsciously. Bruxism generally occurs when sleeping but can also affect some when awake. Mild cases of bruxism might not require intervention. However, severe conditions can result in an unpleasant situation for your teeth and start interfering with daily activities. Bruxism is not identical to TMJ disorders, but the conditions are comparable.

You might be affected by bruxism for various reasons, including anxiety, but the potential of damaging your teeth by bruxism remains the same.

How do Mouthguards work?

Mouthguards are custom-created devices used to wear over your upper or lower teeth to prevent your jaw from clenching and grinding your teeth. Soft and flexible rubber or acrylic helps make mouthguards depending on your unique requirements and the severity of bruxism affecting you. Mouthguards are recommended for people involved in sporting activities for protection against impacts on the mouth and affected by bruxism to prevent damage to the teeth when sleeping as a preventive measure.

How Do Retainers Work?

Retainers help retain your teeth in their new positions following orthodontic treatment. Although, after orthodontic treatment, your teeth have shifted to their appropriate positions, your gums and bone need some time to acclimate to the new places. Therefore, retainers are essential and in line with the suggestion of the dentist in Houston to find success with your orthodontic treatment. Retainers are an integral part of orthodontic treatment requiring you to wear them indefinitely unless advised by your orthodontist to start wearing them only when sleeping.

Retainers are custom created to fit your teeth explicitly. You can find removable retainers made from transparent plastic with wires placed by the dentist near me before delivering them to you. Retainers are created to hold your teeth in place and prevent them from moving back to their original positions. Although you might find these appliances uncomfortable when you begin wearing them, the sensation subsides in a few weeks after your teeth settle.

If you wear a retainer at night to maintain the positioning of your teeth, you might be tempted to use the appliance to relieve bruxism. However, the retainer is not created for this purpose and might not be sufficient if you have moderate bruxism. In addition, mouthguards and retainers differ from each other. Therefore you must resist wearing retainers for bruxism because it might damage the appliance and necessitate expensive repairs to a device created for another purpose and even reverse your orthodontic treatment.

Which Is Best Mouth Guard or a Retainer?

Instead of determining which oral appliance is best between a mouthguard or retainer without professional advice, you find it beneficial to visit mouthguards and retainers in Houston, TX, for guidance to assess which appliance suits your requirements the best.

The professionals from the practice will inform you that whether you have a customized mouthguard or purchase one over-the-counter, the appliance will not function as a retainer.

Mouthguards require placement either on your upper or lower teeth. However, if you need a retainer for your top or bottom teeth, you will also require an appliance for the teeth without the mouthguard.

If you recently completed orthodontic treatment and were recommended to use a retainer but also need a mouthguard, the practitioner might suggest you wear your retainer during the day and evenings. You might also have the flexibility of alternating the mouthguards and wearing retainers at night. However, because every user has unique needs for mouthguards and retainers, you must consult your dentist or orthodontist to determine the optimal balancing of mouthguard and retainer use.

Oasis Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics — Implanted Dentistry & Periodontics provide mouthguards and retainers in Houston; suggest discussing with your dentist to determine which option best suits your needs. You can also request this practice to provide comprehensive advice on keeping your teeth healthy and appearing beautiful.

Insurance Providers

Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign® (Clear Aligners)

What are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

They are oral appliances for realigning teeth in orthodontics in 77070. Invisalign® clear aligners provide an alternative to traditional metal braces that feature metal wires and brackets. Instead, the Invisalign clear aligners in Houston, TX, feature a transparent plastic-like material fashioned into an aligning tray. The transparency of the material makes Invisalign virtually invisible. It is the reason they are sometimes called invisible braces.

When Would You Benefit from Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Although they are more appealing than metal braces, Invisalign braces are not for everyone. Orthodontists recommend Invisalign to patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems. For complex malocclusions, traditional metal braces are the better options. Some oral issues that need Invisalign clear aligners are:

  1. Spaces between teeth
  2. Misplaced midline
  3. Misaligned jaw
  4. Overlapping teeth
  5. Improper bites – including crossbites, underbites, and overbites

How Does Invisalign Work?

If you opt to straighten your teeth with clear braces, the treatment will be different from conventional metal braces. The dentist will first take a mold of your teeth after developing a treatment plan to correct your orthodontic problem. The impressions will create a mold that helps customize your aligning trays.

You require multiple aligning trays to complete your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. The first tray will only be effective for between 3 and 6 weeks. Afterward, you will get a new tray that will fit more snuggly than the previous one. Ultimately, you may use up to 30 or 32 clear trays.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The treatment period with Invisalign at OASIS Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics – Implant Dentistry & Periodontics differs for patients. A huge determining factor is the complexity of your malocclusion. Simple misalignment can take about 6 months to correct. However, the general timeline for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign takes between 6 and 18 months.

Crucial Facts to Know About Orthodontic Treatment with Invisalign Clear Aligners

If you will endure orthodontic treatment for up to 18 months, you should at least know enough about the clear aligners you will get. Besides, the more you heed the information a dentist near you provides about clear aligners, the more successful your treatment will be. Some facts about Invisalign are:

  1. They are removable – you can remove and wear your Invisalign aligners whenever you want. This flexibility allows you to eat whatever you want without fear of damaging your teeth aligners.
  2. Wearing your aligners is crucial for your treatment – the more diligently you wear your clear aligner, the more likely you will complete the treatment within the projected period. If you keep forgetting to wear your aligners daily, your teeth may take longer to shift. Dentists recommend wearing Invisalign aligners between 20 and 22 hours daily.
  3. Oral hygiene is paramount – although brushing your teeth daily is a basic matter, the stakes are higher when you get Invisalign. They can catch stains easily if you do not keep your teeth and aligners clean. Besides, you have no excuse not to keep a clean mouth when your clear aligners are removable.
  4. You will experience a little discomfort – even though invisible aligners are more comfortable than metal braces, anticipate some discomfort during your treatment. The clear aligners will fit your teeth snugly, applying pressure consistently to shift teeth. Every time you get a fresh aligning tray, your gums and jaw will experience some soreness due to the snug fit and the underlying pressure of your teeth aligners.
  5. You must wear retainers after your orthodontic treatment – even though Invisalign works differently from other teeth-straightening appliances in orthodontics, retainers are paramount. Once your treatment ends, you need to wear retainers that will hold your teeth in place. It will prevent them from shifting back to their original positions, undoing the effects of the orthodontic treatment. In many cases, you will need retainers for the rest of your life. Liaise with a dentist near you for different options if you are unwilling to commit to a lifetime of retainers post-treatment.

What Is the Cost of Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Various factors impact the overall cost of orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners. A major one is the severity of your orthodontic problem. Generally, the estimated cost of orthodontic treatment with Invisalign clear aligners ranges between $3,000 to $9,500.

How Long Does It Take For A Dental Bridge To Settle?

Having a missing tooth can reduce the quality of your life. This is because you are not comfortable smiling with a gap amongst your peers. The good news is that you don’t have to live your life afraid that someone will notice your missing tooth. The dentist near you can install dental bridges to fill the missing gap.

However, opting for dental bridges is one of the significant decisions you will make in your lifetime. This is because looking for a dentist who installs dental bridges in Houston, TX, might dictate the stability and condition of your teeth. Therefore, one of the main questions that you might ask the dentist is how long it will take for the dental bridge to settle.

Keep reading to answer the above question and learn more about dental bridges.

What are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a dental appliance fabricated of crowns to fill a gap or gaps caused by missing teeth. As the name indicates, a dental bridge bridges a gap between teeth.

Typically, dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. So, what are the different types of dental bridges?

First, there is the traditional dental bridge. It consists of an artificial tooth held by dental crowns cemented on each side of the abutment teeth. This is the most common dental bridge for people with natural teeth between a missing tooth.

A cantilever dental bridge is another type of dental bridge. It is similar to the traditional one, but the difference is that the dental crown is held down by only one abutment tooth. In short, you need just one natural tooth next to the missing gap.

The dentist in OASIS Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics – Implant Dentistry & Periodontics can also fix an implant-supported dental bridge. This dental bridge is attached to the dental implant to support it.

Maryland dental bridges require two natural teeth on either side of the missing gap same as traditional bridges. The difference is that Maryland dental bridges utilize porcelain or metal frameworks bonded to the abutment teeth.

How are Dental Bridges Used?

When you want the dentist to replace the missing gap in between your teeth, they will first examine your teeth to ensure there is no decay or gum disease. Then, an x-ray of your teeth is taken to help estimate the measurements of your mouth and teeth.

Next, the dentist will file down two of your healthy teeth on either side of the gap. The filling ensures that the dental bridge fits well in the gap. Before the permanent dental bridge is ready, a temporary one may be placed to cover the gap.

Once the permanent dental bridge is ready, the temporary one is removed first. After that, the dentist might recommend attaching a dental implant to the gap to provide anchorage for the permanent dental bridge. Once everything is set, the permanent dental bridge is attached to the dental implant.

Dental bridges are used for various reasons.

First, if you notice that your smile is not as desired, you should consider going to the orthodontics 77070 so that the orthodontist can install a dental bridge.

In addition, if you struggle chewing food due to missing teeth, it would be best to consult whether or not dental bridges will suit you.

Missing a tooth can cause pain to the remaining teeth and the jaw. When this is the case, you should consult with the dentist near you so that they can take a look at your teeth. This will help the dentist determine if installing a dental bridge will relieve you of pain.

On top of that, missing several teeth can affect your speech and pronunciation. This is where you cannot speak certain words due to the missing gaps. However, with dental bridges in place, these dental devices can help you speak and pronounce better.

When you have a missing tooth, the remaining teeth are under a lot of pressure, especially when chewing food. This pressure can cause your remaining teeth to shift. The good thing with dental bridges is that it distributes the chewing forces to all your teeth, preventing your natural teeth from moving out of their correct position.

What Are Types of Mouth Guards?

Mouthguards covering your teeth are protective devices to safeguard your teeth and gums. In contrast to over-the-counter mouthguards, custom-fitted appliances better fit and protect your teeth. In addition, night guards can help damage teeth grinding. Children and adults must use mouthguards for contact sports or activities like cycling.

What Are Mouth Guards?

Dental devices that help cover your teeth to protect your tongue, teeth, cheeks, and gums from trauma are called mouthguards. This dental appliance also protects your teeth from the damage caused by teeth grinding and sporting injuries.

Who Might Need Mouthguards?

Mouthguards might become essential for children and adults. For example, you might receive a recommendation for a mouthguard from the dentist near me if you or your child is affected by bruxism, play contact sports like basketball, football, lacrosse, and soccer, increasing your risk of getting hit in the face, or even take part in noncontact sports with a high fall risk such as ice skating, gymnastics, and biking.

What Are the Different Kinds of Mouthguards?

You can find two main categories of mouthguards created to protect your teeth from injuries during sporting activities or damage due to teeth grinding and clenching. The appliances appear different and serve different purposes. If you need a mouthguard as recommended by your dentist, there are various methods to purchase them.

The different kinds of mouthguards include:

  • Stock Mouthguards: These dental appliances are available as one size fits all and are prefabricated and ready to wear. As they are not customized for your teeth, they rarely fit well. The poor fitting and bulky appliance can make breathing challenging. Unfortunately, stock mouthguards offer minimal protection among all mouthguards.
  • Boil and Bite Mouthguard: Thermoplastic material helps make these dental appliances that you can shape at home to fit over your teeth. You must soften the mouthguard by placing it in hot water before putting the softened mouthguard over your teeth and using your fingers to press it on the molars and front teeth. When you feel you have a suitable fit, you must bite on the appliance for approximately 20 seconds. After that, you can remove the device and cool it under water. The steps can be repeated until you reshape the instrument to get the best fit.
  • Custom Fitted Mouthguards: the dentist takes a mold of your teeth to custom create mouthguards in Houston, TX, fitting your teeth and mouth comfortably. Customized mouthguards cost more because they provide the best fit and protection. Custom mouthguards are created specifically for you for protection from injuries due to athletic competition or to use as night guards if affected by bruxism. Customized mouthguards from dentists offer the best quality and function appropriately to protect your teeth and mouth.

How Are Mouth Guards Used?

Using mouthguards is not challenging and doesn’t require specialized training from the providers. If involved in contact sports, you can wear these appliances over your teeth as recommended by the provider or your dentist. For example, if you are undergoing treatment from orthodontics 77070 to straighten crooked and misaligned teeth, these appliances can help protect the braces when playing contact sports. However, you must ensure you invest in a custom-fitted mouthguard because they are best designed for these purposes. Customized mouthguards fit the unique shape of the braces or other restorations in your mouth.

What Is the Lifespan of Mouthguards?

Depending on the frequency of your use and the wear-and-tear, the appliance makes customized mouthguards last for several years with proper care. However, some people might need mouthguards replaced more frequently and are recommended to take the mouthguard with them during dental checkups to ensure the dentist inspects the device for cracks or other signs of wear.

Over-the-counter and boil and bite guards do not have similar durability and might need replacements every few months. Children and teens may need frequent mouthguard replacements because of changes in their teeth and jaw.

Caring for Customized Mouthguards

Mouthguards are prone to picking up bacteria from the mouth. Therefore you must clean your teeth before placing the mouthguard over your teeth. Mouthguards also need attention, making it essential for you not to expose them to direct sunlight or hot water because heat can cause the appliance to warp and appear distorted. The mouthguard requires storage in a ventilated case when not in use or traveling to sporting activities. The mouthguard also needs rinsing after every use and brushing with soapy water for cleaning before letting it dry. Keeping mouthguards away from pets is suggested by dentists.

Using mouthguards becomes essential to prevent injuries to your teeth and mouth from sporting or other accidents. However, investing in a customized mouthguard proves beneficial because it prevents severe injuries that can leave you with chipped or lost teeth. Therefore if you need a custom-made dental appliance, please do not hesitate to contact Oasis Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics — Implant Dentistry and Periodontics for the protective device you need from an experienced provider.

Why Should I Consider A Dental Implant To Replace My Missing Tooth?

When you fail to visit the dentist near you, bacteria can spread to the tooth’s root, which can call for tooth extraction. Moreover, an accident can lead to a tooth’s cracking, which can also lead to tooth loss.

The fact of the matter is that a lost tooth can be filled in. Thanks to the progress made in dentistry, dentists can fix dental implants in Houston to give you a uniform smile. However, you might wonder why you should choose dental implants and not other dental appliances like dentures. We will help you understand why dental implants are suitable for your missing teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are dental appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. They are replacement tooth roots that offer support for removable teeth that are made to look like your natural teeth. This means that dental implants act as anchors for the replacement teeth that the dentist will put.

Advantages Of Dental Implants

One main advantage of getting dental implants is that they look and feel like natural teeth. This means that you will not feel like you have a dental implant as they are made to fit with your natural teeth.

There are difficulties faced when going through dental procedures. However, the good thing is that there are higher success rates for getting dental implants. This is why you should head to OASIS Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics – Implant Dentistry & Periodontics so that our dentists can look at your teeth, work on them and get back your healthy smile in no time.

It can become quite challenging to chew food with missing teeth. But thanks to dental implants, you can now enjoy your meals without worrying about your bite. This means that you can get back to health as you will be able to eat better.

Moreover, when you have missing teeth, the gaps can affect how you bite, leading to the shifting of teeth. This can impact your smile. On top of that, missing gaps in your mouth can lead to bone loss and put your remaining teeth at risk of gum disease. However, dental implants can reduce bone loss and the chances of getting gum disease.

Dentures have to be taken out when you want to eat. The good thing with dental implants is that they are inserted deep into your tooth’s roots, which means they cannot be removed. This reduces the hassle of cleaning them every time like dentures.

Missing gaps in your mouth can lead to sensitivity. This is because the gaps expose your neighboring tooth roots to cold and hot beverages, increasing your teeth’ sensitivity. The good thing about getting dental implants is they reduce tooth sensitivity.

When you go for orthodontics 77070, the dental implants that will be installed provide your remaining teeth with the necessary support. This is because when you have a missing gap, your teeth are not as stable as they are with all teeth.

How Do Dental Implants Work to Replace Missing Teeth?

Dental implant therapy is an outpatient treatment performed at different stages during your healing process. Different steps are involved in dental implant surgery; it can take several months before the treatment is complete. This will depend on your dental needs, the materials used, and how fast your wound will heal.

During dental implant surgery, the surgeon will make an incision to open your gum, and this exposes the bone jaw. The oral surgeon will then create holes in the bone, which will be used to put the dental implant in place. The holes are made deep in the jaw as the implants act as an anchor to which the artificial teeth will be placed.

After this, you will have a gap where a temporary denture is placed to cover the wound. Next, you will have to wait for osseointegration, whereby your jawbone grows and attaches itself to the surface of the dental implant. Osseointegration takes several months, offering a solid ground for the artificial tooth that will be installed: the same way roots do with natural teeth.

Once the jawbone has attached well to the dental implant, the abutment is placed on the dental implant metal post. The next stage involves choosing your new artificial teeth.

What is a Dental Crown?

Dentists use dental crowns in Houston to correct teeth with damage or gaps. A dental crown is a dental implant placed on top of the natural tooth root. It can be used to bridge a large gum gap, replace a tooth that has been lost or damaged, or correct an unstable tooth. It is vital to understand the basics of dental crowns and how they are used to ensure the best possible dental crown restoration results.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a great way to restore your smile and enhance your appearance. They’re an affordable way to replace teeth that have been lost or destroyed, and they can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years with proper care. Crowns are custom-made to fit the individual’s mouth and teeth, making them unique and look great. If you’re interested in dental crowns, be sure to get a consultation from a dentist so you can find the perfect crown for your needs.

Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?

A dentist near you can recommend dental crowns to:

  • Protect teeth from decay and other types of damage
  • Replace lost teeth
  • Help repair teeth that have been broken or damaged

A dental crown can also be used with other treatments like bridges, implants, and root canals.

What is Your Dental Crown Made From?

Dental crowns are made from various materials, such as porcelain, metal, composite, and stainless steel.

Dental crowns are often made from porcelain because it is durable and has a natural appearance. Porcelain is also easy to shape and can be painted to match the color of the surrounding teeth.

Metal dental crowns are often used in older patients who need more strength for their teeth. They are also used when a tooth has been severely damaged by decay or an injury.

Stainless steel dental crowns are often used in younger patients who need temporary protection for their teeth while they heal or wait for permanent replacement teeth to grow.

What Steps Are Involved in Getting a Tooth for a Crown?

The dentist will first examine your teeth and take an x-ray of your mouth to determine what kind of dental work needs to be done. He then takes an impression of your teeth using a putty. The mold will be sent to a lab to be used as a model for your new crown. The second step in getting a dental crown is having the lab create the new tooth-shaped covering using porcelain or metal, depending on what you prefer and what the dentist recommends. The third step in getting a dental crown is having it fitted and cemented onto your tooth.

How Can You Care for Temporary Dental Crown?

Temporary dental crowns are a great way to avoid tooth decay and restoration, but they come with a few risks. Always take your temporary dental crown in for a cleaning and check the condition of the adhesive daily. If it starts to peel or come off, contact your dentist immediately.

What Problems Can Arise with Dental Crown?

Many potential problems could develop when wearing a dental crown. One of the most common problems is that the crown can break off in your mouth if you bite it too hard or grind your teeth excessively. Another problem is that the crown could come loose and fall out of place if you don’t take proper care of it by brushing regularly and flossing daily.

It’s important to discuss your options with a dentist sure to take good care of your crown by brushing and flossing it regularly and see your dentist regularly for proper maintenance. Dental crowns are an important part of dental care and are a great solution to many dental problems. But it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and have a dentist who can choose the right crown type for you!

Schedule an Appointment

Visit OASIS Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics for more information about dental crowns and what you can expect during the procedure.

What Are the Differences Between Traditional Braces vs. Clear Braces?

When considering braces for a well-aligned smile, you may not know which kind is right for you. Choosing between traditional and clear braces requires knowing much about them. You need to know their effects on your appearance, their impact on the budget, and the expected outcome for your alignment issues. Therefore, you need help from a dentist near you.

The Houston dentist will evaluate your smile before recommending either type of braces. In addition, the dentist will discuss your oral health, lifestyle habits, and the desired outcome. The information obtained helps the dentist develop a treatment plan suitable for you. Continue reading to learn more about traditional and clear braces.

What Are Traditional and Clear Braces?

Braces are orthodontic devices worn over teeth to straighten them, enhancing your smile’s beauty. In addition, they correct alignment issues and help prevent oral health problems such as cavities and gum disease. Braces in Houston also correct bad bites and prevent problems caused by misalignment.

The correct speech problems caused by dental misalignment enable you to communicate well. In addition, braces improve the appearance of teeth and oral health improving self-confidence. Adults and teenagers can correct their smiles using braces. The main types of braces are traditional and clear braces.

Differences Between Traditional Braces and Clear Braces

  1. Traditional braces are held together with metal wires. This makes them irremovable during the treatment. On the other hand, clear braces are easily removed when the patient wills. Although this is a benefit of clear braces, you must be careful to wear them as instructed. Failure to do so may hinder the treatment.
  2. Traditional braces are made from high-quality stainless steel. Their brackets are made of the same materials. Clear braces are almost invisible. They may be made of ceramic or unique thermoplastic material.
  3. Undergoing orthodontic treatment using conventional braces requires several visits to the dentist’s office. The Houston dentist requires the patient to see them every 4-8 weeks for adjustments. Treatment using clear braces is not as involving. A standard adjustment is made every 2-3 months.
  4. Traditional braces are fantastic for patients with complex cases. They are ideal for issues such as large spacing and deep bites that require major root movements. Clear braces may not effectively correct severe misalignment issues or may take longer.
  5. It is much easier to maintain good oral hygiene when using clear braces than traditional braces. With clear braces, you only need to remove them and clean your teeth usually and clean the braces. Patients with conventional braces need help from the orthodontic team to maintain proper oral hygiene.
  6. Conventional braces have wires and rubbers that cover the front surface of teeth. As a result, the appearance of the patient’s smile during treatment is not very pleasing. Clear braces are more aesthetically pleasing. They are designed to match the color of natural teeth or be virtually invisible.
  7. Treatment using traditional braces involves regular manual adjustments of the wire brackets. The adjustments to help move the teeth may be painful and uncomfortable. The patient must change into a new set of clear braces with clear aligners every few weeks. Each set of braces is designed to shift teeth into their proper positions gradually.
  8. You must watch what you eat or drink when using traditional braces. Acidic foods may corrode the metallic material. There are no food restrictions when using clear braces. You can take what you want as long as you remove the braces and clean your teeth afterwards.

Which Type of Braces Is Better?

Once you have decided to pursue orthodontics in 77070, you naturally want the best type of braces. Both traditional and clear braces are effective orthodontic tools. Yet, each has unique advantages. For instance, traditional braces correct even the most severe misalignment issues. In addition, their structure makes them ideal for kids, athletes, or people with busy lifestyles.

A patient who needs to straighten their smile discreetly will choose clear aligners. Similarly, clear braces are ideal if you have a busy schedule that does not allow frequent dental visits. Regardless of the type of braces you pick, the results will be a properly aligned smile.

Schedule a consultation with us at Oasis Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics. Our qualified staff will help you determine the type of braces suitable for you.

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Teeth Whitening Treatment

If your source of confidence in your smile is impacted by lackluster teeth, you will undoubtedly not feel your best. You might think of different solutions to whiten your teeth, but will help yourself if you discuss your problem with the dentist near you providing professionally supervised teeth whitening treatments.

Fortunately, the process of whitening your teeth is quick, painless, and merely requires one appointment with your dentist. However, if your teeth have intensely discolored, you might have to schedule additional appointments with the dental professional before achieving the desired results.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is the technique of keeping your pearly whites in gleaming condition to ensure you don’t have to raise your palms when you meet someone. You can achieve the goal by maintaining excellent dental hygiene and getting six-monthly dental cleanings from the dentist nearby. You must also limit or avoid the consumption of pigmented foods and beverages and habits like smoking that undoubtedly stain your teeth over time.

Unfortunately, if your teeth have discolored that prevent you from smiling, you have a few options before you to whiten your teeth. You can use over-the-counter remedies that deliver minimal results but require plenty of time. However, if you desire instant results, the better option is to schedule an appointment with the dentist to get teeth whitening in Houston, TX.

Teeth whitening treatments provided by dentists deliver the best results and are supervised by a dental professional. The treatments, besides giving you a brighter smile, ensure the soft tissues of your mouth are not harmed during or after the treatment.

How Is Teeth Whitening Used?

You can use teeth whitening for any purpose you desire. Perhaps you have a special event coming up and want to present yourself as best possible. On the other hand, your discolored teeth might be impacting your career prospects and making it challenging for you to meet prospective employers for jobs because of your lack of ability to smile gracefully.

Discolored teeth can also impact personal relationships and come in the way of finding a life partner or even make you look awkward when you move around in public; always prepared to raise your palms and hide your discolored teeth. You can even consider using teeth whitening to boost your confidence and appear like an outgoing personality instead of holding yourself back like an introvert. How you decide to use teeth whitening is entirely up to you. So long as you think you must have a brighter and whiter smile, the usage of the results is your decision.

Things to Know Before Getting Teeth Whitening Treatments

When considering teeth whitening treatments, please do not consider the visit your dentist similar to visiting a beauty salon to get a facial. Teeth whitening treatments provided by dentists use concentrated hydrogen peroxide ingredients on your teeth to remove external and internal stains. Therefore before you schedule your appointment for the whitening treatment, we suggest you schedule an appointment with the dentist for routine exams and cleanings.

The goal of the appointment is to understand whether you are a suitable candidate for teeth whitening treatments. Certain stains caused by trauma, decay, and long-term exposure to antibiotics do not respond well to teeth whitening treatments. In addition, dentists have different options, such as in-office teeth whitening and at-home remedies, and the appointment will help you determine which method best suits your needs.

If you qualify for in-office teeth whitening, ensure that you get your teeth cleaned to enhance the treatment results. For example, if you have plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, whitening ingredients don’t deliver effective results. Instead, a dental cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar to give you brighter teeth after the therapy.

If you have sensitive teeth, request the dentist for a remedy to desensitize them. You must use the desensitizing toothpaste dentists recommend for at least two weeks before proceeding with your whitening treatment. The desensitizing toothpaste helps reduce sensitivity after your whitening procedure which is familiar to many patients.

When matters related to teeth whitening are concerned, your dentist is your best consultant. Request the dentist for a shade guide to understand the color of your teeth before the treatment for comparison later. The guide helps you determine whether you have achieved your desired results. In addition, your dentist can help determine how much lighter your teeth can become after undergoing the teeth whitening treatment.

Teeth whitening is a relatively standard treatment sought after by millions. However, your chances of achieving the desired results improve significantly when you have all information about what you must look for before your first teeth whitening treatment.

Oasis Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics in Houston to give you brighter teeth and a beautiful smile. The facility can help you with in-office or at-home teeth whitening remedies that deliver excellent results without causing any sensitivity or other problems. Kindly schedule an appointment with them to enhance the shade of your discolored teeth.

What Are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Haven’t you heard about a revolutionary orthodontic treatment permitting you to straighten teeth using virtually invisible clear aligners over your teeth? It is time you researched Invisalign clear aligners in Houston, TX, to benefit from straightening your crooked, misaligned, and gapped teeth even during adulthood using this rebellious treatment that doesn’t cause any embarrassment like having metal brackets, wires, and bands over your teeth.

Invisalign clear aligners were introduced in the late 90s when Align Technologies developed an alternative to traditional orthodontic treatments from dental-grade BPA-free plastic to gradually straighten teeth by applying constant pressure. The therapy is immensely popular with adults reluctant to have metal and wire braces over their teeth that continue enduring the problems their crooked teeth heap upon them.

What Are Clear Aligners?

As mentioned earlier, clear aligners are similar to braces but without the wires and bands or brackets attached to your teeth. Instead of remaining attached over your teeth, the aligners fit snugly over them after the Houston provider evaluates your situation and takes 3D images on an intraoral scanner to have the aligners customized for your mouth by the manufacturers.

Unlike traditional orthodontic treatments that are visible to everyone, the clear aligners remain virtually unnoticeable in your mouth. As a result, you can continue wearing the aligners even when moving around or socializing with your friends and colleagues. However, the aligners must remain on your teeth for 20 to 22 hours per day if you wish to achieve the results desired within 12 to 18 months instead of three years or more with traditional orthodontic treatments.

How Are Clear Aligners Used?

Using clear aligners is not a challenge at all. After receiving your first batch of aligners from orthodontics 77070, you can begin wearing them over your teeth for the specified hours every day. The clear aligners from Invisalign have a removable feature permitting you to remove the aligners when eating or drinking any foods or beverages. The aligners can remain out of your mouth for approximately two to three hours every day to accomplish the task of eating and maintaining proper oral hygiene. You must return the aligners over your teeth immediately after completing your everyday tasks.

The manufacturers of Invisalign don’t provide your aligners for the entire duration of the treatment in one go. Instead, you must visit the Invisalign provider every six to eight weeks to assess your progress and collect a new batch of aligners. Every set of aligners needs replacement in about two to three weeks, and the sequence continues until you complete your treatment.

If you qualify for Invisalign treatment, compliance with the requirements is crucial to achieving the desired results. The removable feature of the aligners shouldn’t encourage you to leave them out of your mouth for longer than specified. The aligners must remain on your teeth throughout the day and night if you want to achieve freedom from the dental infections that undoubtedly affected you with your crooked and misaligned teeth.

What Kind of Issues Do the Clear Aligners Treat?

Invisalign clear aligners can treat most dental imperfections of underbites, overbites, open bites, crossbites, gaps between your teeth, and crooked and misaligned teeth. However, if you have complicated situations of the above, you must rely on traditional orthodontic treatments better suited to manage such issues.

Earlier many adults with dental imperfections refrained from getting orthodontic treatments merely because they didn’t want a mouthful of metal when straightening their teeth. However, the introduction of Invisalign changed orthodontic treatments forever to encourage adults to consider getting their teeth straightened using this virtually invisible treatment fitting snugly over their teeth and remaining comfortable in their mouths.

Currently, over 20 percent of adults seek orthodontic treatments favoring clear aligners over metal brackets and wires. Except for the unfortunate few unsuitable for Invisalign treatment, the others are happily straightening their teeth using clear aligners to have a beautiful smile faster than traditional treatments.

If you have mild to moderate conditions of crooked and misaligned teeth and haven’t heard about Invisalign clear aligners, you must inquire about this treatment from OASIS Modern Industry & Orthodontics to get yourself evaluated for clear aligners to get rid of your dental imperfections and disorders to have the perfect smile you always wanted.

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