Dental braces are the most widely used method of straightening teeth and misaligned bites. They are especially popular in treating children, but can be an effective treatment for patients of any age. In fact, of the estimated 4 million people wearing dental braces in America, 25% are adults. Alongside the traditional metal braces, Bunker Hill Dentistry in Houston, TX offers ceramic braces that are clear and much less visible. How Do Braces Work? Braces put pressure on the teeth to move them slowly into the correct alignment, as well as changing the shape of the bone underneath the teeth. This is done by using the following components: Brackets – these are small square objects that are affixed to the tooth with a special bonding agent. Brackets act as handles for the other components. Wires – these are attached to the brackets. They are used to slowly pull your teeth into the correct alignment over time. Bands – these elastic bands, called ligatures, are used to help keep the wires in the right position. Bunker Hill Dentistry Offers Both Metal and Ceramic Braces Metal Braces Stainless steel braces are a tried and tested orthodontic method. The brackets and wires are made of metal and thus have a silver metallic look to them. The bands can come in different colors, including a tooth colored option. Clear Ceramic Braces Ceramic braces work the same way as metal braces do, but all of the components – brackets, bands, and wires – are designed to match the color of your teeth. While they are still visible, they are less noticeable than metal braces. The ceramic brackets used are more likely to break than steel brackets, but otherwise ceramic braces are equally effective as the metal option. Braces Improve the Appearance, Health, and Function of Your Teeth Braces not only change the appearance of your smile, they also improve the health and function of your teeth. They are the most popular method of teeth alignment due to their many benefits: From mild to severe cases – braces are effective at correcting even more severe cases of dental misalignment, from crooked teeth and unwanted gaps, to overcrowded mouths and malocclusion. Affordability – braces may be a more affordable option compared to clear aligners such as Invisalign. Low responsibility – braces are easier to take care of than clear aligners, which is especially beneficial in younger patients who might lack the personal commitment to daily Invisalign cleaning. Time frame – because of the lower commitment and care needs, braces may fix patients’ alignment issues in a timely manner as their fixed position means there are less interruptions to treatment. What to Expect from the Braces Procedure Preparation: Before you go in for treatment, you will have a consultation with Dr. Le. This is a time to talk about your needs, wishes, and expectations, and to ask any questions you may have about your dental health. We will perform a dental exam, which involves taking X-rays and getting impressions of your teeth. After this, Dr. Le will create a treatment plan and let you know what to expect, the timeline for treatment, and how to maintain your braces. The Procedure The process of getting the braces fitted will vary for each person, and the whole procedure can take between 1 and 2 hours. The steps may include: Wires and bands – the cheek retractor is removed and the archwires are put into the brackets, along with bands if needed. Cheek retractor – this device may be used in order to keep the mouth open and teeth exposed during the procedure. Polished teeth – your teeth will be polished and dried before the braces are attached. Adhesive and brackets – adhesive is then applied to the teeth which will hold the brackets in place. Bonding light – the bonding of the brackets may be cured with a high intensity light. Follow Up Care Regular appointments are necessary for checking the progress of the treatment and to make any needed adjustments to the wires to ensure the teeth are moving into the right positions. The bands connected to the wires can also lose elasticity over time and may need replacing. How often adjustments need to be made depends on various factors, but it is usually between every 4 to 8 weeks. The length of time the braces will need to stay installed can also vary from less than a year to as much as 3 years. When the time comes to remove them, first the bands and wires come off first, after which the bond that affixes the brackets to your teeth is gently broken up and removed. The entire process is painless and simple. Most patients will require a retainer to be worn to keep their teeth from settling back into the wrong position. The total amount of time this is needed will vary from patient to patient, as well as how long the retainer will need to be worn each day. Living with Braces Brushing and flossing with braces can be a little more demanding than usual, as you have to work around the brackets and wires. It requires a certain order and technique, which we will help instruct you in once you have been fitted for braces. It is recommended that you brush after every meal or snack that you eat, with a special kind of fluoride toothpaste. Using a fluoride based mouthwash can also help by getting into spots in the mouth that you can’t reach with a toothbrush. The type of foods and drinks you consume while wearing braces is also very important. It is best to avoid hard or sticky foods like nuts, hard candy, pop corn, or chewing gum, as these can get stuck in the brackets and wires. Avoiding exposure to sugary or acidic food and drink is also recommended. Wearing a retainer after your braces come off also involves some extra care. You will need to brush it with water every time you take it out to brush your teeth, and it will need to be disinfected at least once every week. Alternatives to Braces There are various alternatives to wearing braces, which each have their advantages and disadvantages. Braces vs Invisalign Invisalign aligners are a type of clear aligner that are worn throughout the majority of a 24 hour period, but can be taken out to eat and brush. While they are a popular option due to their clear, more inconspicuous appearance, comparing Invisalign to braces is not an easy one-to-one comparison. Invisalign can be useful for mild dental alignment needs, but often can’t treat more severe or complex issues. A consultation with Dr. Le will help you reach the right solution for you. Invisalign vs Braces Braces vs DIY Orthodontics There are orthodontic solutions, such as the popular Smile Direct, that can be done on your own at home. You can either use an at home kit to take an impression of your mouth or visit a SmileShop for a digital scan. After this a remote dentist sets and approves a treatment plan for you, as well as scheduling periodic remote checkups. This type of treatment is enticing due to the relative ease on the patient. However, compared to Invisalign treatment, DIY orthodontics are not as safe, fast, or effective. Invisalign and braces treatments tend to be more streamlined for effectiveness due to the professional supervision that accompany them. Our Hybrid Approach to Orthodontics For people, especially older teenagers and young adults, who wish to straighten misaligned teeth and correct bad bites, our hybrid approach to teeth straightening may be an option. This approach utilizes traditional braces at the beginning of treatment in order to correct severe bite problems and malocclusions. Once the teeth have reached a certain phase in treatment, our dentist may recommend Invisalign to finish the teeth straightening process. This allows you to wear traditional braces for less time and still achieve the same results. Why Bunker Hill Dentistry? Dr. Le and his wife and office manager Ann Le Specialists – Dr. Le is a highly skilled dentist and experienced in a range of orthodontic treatments. Serene setting – Our office is designed to provide a calm, relaxing environment to help put your mind at ease during treatment. Take a tour. Client satisfaction – We have one mission – total client satisfaction. “Care, Comfort, Convenience”is our guarantee to every client. More about Bunker Hill Dentistry. Reception room at Bunker Hill Dentistry State of the art – We utilize other advanced technology such as the i-CAT 3D x-ray machine, All-On-4® implants and an anesthesia-delivery wand, for faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Conveniently located – Located in Memorial, just a short drive from Houston’s city center. Find us on the map. Are You a Candidate for Braces? Braces are a widely-used treatment, but they aren’t necessarily the right solution for everyone. Coming in for a consultation with Dr. Le is the way you will be sure of the right treatment for you, but the following criteria can be used as a rough guide to seeing if you are a good candidate for braces. Oral Health Your dental health should be in good shape before getting braces. Any cavities or gum disease you may have will need to be treated beforehand. Braces are possible with missing teeth, but whether they are placed before or after tooth replacement will depend on your specific case. Because your teeth need a solid foundation to be able to be moved properly, insufficient bone structure around the teeth may make braces a nonviable option. Overall Health Your general health needs to be taken into consideration. Certain systemic conditions such as immune disorders or uncontrolled diabetes can negatively affect the healing process during braces treatment, and may disqualify you as a candidate. In such cases other treatments will need to be explored during your consultation with Dr. Le. Source: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels Previous Dental Work While dental work such as veneers and crowns don’t necessarily prohibit getting braces, they can potentially cause complications related to the brackets, as they bond better to natural teeth than they do to restorations. Bridges and implants can be more complicated, as they are fixed to the jawbone, making them immovable. However, Dr. Le may be able to find solutions to this complication, and will discuss them with you during your consultation. Lifestyle Factors Bad habits such as smoking and consuming cavity-inducing food and drink may disrupt treatment, as cavities will need to be dealt with for the treatment to commence. Smoking also can stain your braces. If you play contact sports that require a mouthguard, you may find it cumbersome to wear with braces, and you are at greater risk of an injury that can damage your braces and your teeth. There is also the consideration of appearance. Some people who often find themselves in public facing roles may not feel comfortable with braces. Schedule a Consultation with Bunker Hill Dentistry If you are thinking about teeth realignment, schedule a consultation with us today. Dr. Le will look over your medical history and examine your teeth to help discover if braces treatment is right for you. Schedule a Consultation Not been to Bunker Hill Dentistry before? 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