Braces FAQs

Crooked teeth result in problems such as improper chewing and low self-esteem. Plus, they affect your dental hygiene. Having crowded teeth makes it hard to clean all the teeth giving room for bacteria to fester. Fortunately, braces can help realign the teeth and improve your smile.

When is the Ideal Time to Get an Orthodontic Assessment?

An orthodontist specializes in aligning and straightening of teeth. Our dentist in Houston, TX, recommends an orthodontic evaluation at age seven. At this age, the child’s teeth are developing, and the jaw is growing, making it easy for our dentist to detect dental abnormalities.

What Types of Braces are Available?

After an oral exam and x-ray, our dental team makes a diagnosis and advises on the best treatment plan for misaligned teeth or improper bite. For most patients, dental braces in Houston are necessary to correct the problem. Examples of such braces include:

• Metal braces. These braces are among the oldest orthodontic appliances dentists have been using for decades. They comprise metal brackets that are bonded on your front surface of the teeth.
• Ceramic braces. They are identical to metal braces in size and shape. However, they use tooth-colored brackets, making them less noticeable on your teeth.
• Invisalign. They realign your teeth using a series of clear removable plastic aligners. The aligners are custom made specifically for your oral cavity to push the teeth into the desired alignment.
• Lingual braces. They use metal, clear or ceramic brackets, but they are fixed behind the teeth. Hence, they aren’t visible when you smile.

What are the Two Phases of Orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is highly successful and depends on the severity of the misalignment. The procedure may occur into two distinct phases, as explained below:

• Phase one orthodontic treatment. It’s also known as an early interceptive treatment. Our dental team recommends it to children between the ages of six to ten before their permanent teeth come in. The goal of the phase is for permanent teeth to have adequate room for an eruption, reducing the risk of crooked and overcrowded teeth. It takes 9 to 18 months to complete the treatment.
• Phase two orthodontic treatment. Most people are familiar with this phase. Usually, it begins at around 11 to 12 years and lasts for 12 to 30 months. During this phase, we place braces on upper or lower teeth to correct overbite and underbites.

Are Braces Suitable for Adults?

Our dentist recommends braces in Houston, TX, to correct misaligned teeth at any age. The only qualification is healthy gums and teeth. Remember, braces place extra pressure on your gums.

How Long Will I Wear Braces?

The time varies from one person to another, depending on:

• The severity of the problem
• The health of the gums and teeth
• How closely you follow our instructions

On average, once we fit the braces, they remain in place for one to three years.

What Can I Expect During the Treatment?

The braces may make your oral cavity feel sore or uncomfortable. However, after a month, this will resolve since you will have adjusted to them. If the pain or discomfort is unbearable, talk to us about it.

You will visit our facility every month to check if the dental braces in Houston, TX, is releasing steady pressure on your teeth. If need be, our dental team will make adjustments to create more tension and stress on the teeth. To achieve the desired results, we may advise you to put on headgear in the evenings or throughout the night.

What Happens After the Braces are Removed?

After getting the braces off, you will feel different. Please note your teeth have been realigned, and the bite restored. For a few days, you may experience pain and sensitivity, though this will go away with time.

To maintain the alignment achieved, our dentist will fit you with a retainer. They are removable, and you may take them off if necessary. Follow our dentist instructions on proper cleaning of retainers.

Schedule an Appointment

Braces are useful in realigning crooked teeth and giving you a healthy smile. For a successful brace treatment, follow our dentist’s advice precisely. For more information, contact Oasis Modern Dentistry. Your dental health is our goal.