What Are Metal Braces?
Traditional metal braces are a proven method for straightening the smile and realigning the teeth and jaw for better oral function. Braces have come a long way over the years and are now lighter and more comfortable for patients than ever. At Made Ya Smile Dental, our full-service team is proud to offer traditional metal braces to patients of all ages. Our team is experienced in all phases of orthodontic care and uses bracket and wire systems to gently move teeth until ideal tooth positioning is reached. Traditional orthodontic braces are also more affordable and convenient and are still a viable solution for a large number of patients, including those who are not candidates for clear removable aligners.
Customized orthodontic treatments address aesthetic and functional issues that impact the smiles of children, teens, and adults. Undergoing treatment with braces is a more enjoyable experience for today's patients. Brackets and wires are now smaller and elastic ties and rubber bands can be placed in an array of colors to match your favorite sports team or show off your personality. If you or your child needs braces, schedule a consultation at one of our friendly multi-specialty Houston, TX practice locations.
Traditional Metal Braces Reviews
Who Is a Candidate for Traditional Metal Braces?
Traditional metal braces work through a system of metal brackets, bands, and wires that gently pull and guide your teeth until they reach proper alignment. Our skilled team plans each individual case to deliver results that optimize your biting and chewing function, speaking ability, smile aesthetics, and jaw comfort. Using high-quality stainless steel archwires, bands, and brackets, our dentists will strategically position orthodontic appliances on your teeth to create a smile that is straight, healthy, and simply beautiful. Traditional braces may be ideal for patients who have simple orthodontic needs or those who require phased care. Regardless of your family's needs, we will work closely with you to create your personalized treatment plan.
Children, adolescents, and adult patients benefit from wearing braces if they have orthodontic concerns, like:
• Crooked teeth or overcrowding
• Turned, tipped, or rotated teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Overbite, underbite, crossbite, or openbite
How Are Braces Applied?
The process of placing traditional metal braces is quick and simple. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we use advanced digital x-rays and 3D cone beam scans of your teeth, jaw, and head to plan the most precise course of treatment for your family's smiles. Impressions of your upper and lower arches are also taken. On the day of your orthodontic treatment, we will prepare your teeth to create a clean surface where your brackets will attach. A clear or tooth-colored bonding material will be applied to each tooth to hold the brackets in place. A metal archwire will then be threaded through each bracket and securely attached with elastic ties in the color of your choice. Once your braces are in place, our team will let you know when to schedule follow-up visits at our practice.
What Can I Expect During the Braces Treatment Process?
Following the placement of your braces and each time the wire is changed, it is normal to experience minor soreness in the mouth. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and eating soft foods during this time can help improve any discomfort. Since the brackets, bands, and wires of traditional orthodontics create plenty of spaces for plaque, food, and bacteria to accumulate, meticulous home care is extremely important to the health of your teeth and gums. Our team highly recommends brushing and flossing immediately following each meal and will show you how to be effective with your home care efforts around the metal hardware. Adjunctive tools that could help improve your oral health may also be suggested. Keeping up with bi-annual cleaning and exam visits with our team at Made Ya Smile Dental is also imperative to maintaining a healthy smile during orthodontics.
Orthodontic treatment time in braces varies among patients but typically lasts anywhere from 1 – 3 years. Our team will evaluate your condition and give you an estimate of how long you might need to wear your braces. When the active phase of your orthodontic treatment is complete, our specialist will remove your wires, bands, and brackets and then take impressions of your mouth to create your retainer. Your retainer should be worn as recommended to keep your newly aligned teeth in place.
Emergencies
It is not uncommon for brackets, wires, or elastic ties to come unattached when wearing braces. However, we do recommend that you avoid eating hard or sticky foods to try to minimize the occurrence of orthodontic emergencies. If you or your child experience an issue with your braces, contact us right away and we will get you in for a repair as soon as possible. But there are several ways you can address the concern until you can have your braces fixed. The following are common issues that you may experience when wearing braces:
Soreness in the Teeth or Jaw: You will likely experience some soreness in the teeth or jaw following the initial placement of your braces and when you have your archwires changed. This discomfort can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and warm saltwater rinses for inflamed gum tissue.
Loose Wire: Try gently pushing a loose wire back into place with a pencil eraser, Q-tip, or tweezers. If this is not possible, fingernail clippers or wire cutters cleaned with rubbing alcohol can be used to clip the wire directly behind the tooth it is attached to. You can also cover any uncomfortable portion of the wire with orthodontic wax or sugarless gum.
Loose Band or Bracket: If a loose bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you can leave it in place until you arrive at our office. Any uncomfortable or sharp areas that are irritating your mouth can be covered with orthodontic wax or sugarless gum.
Loose Appliance: Appliances, like space maintainers or palatal expanders, that become loose need to be reattached as soon as possible. Until you can get in to see us, you can stabilize the loose appliance by holding it in place with orthodontic wax.
Sharp Wire That Pokes: Wires that break may poke your gums, cheeks, lips, or tongue. If this happens, you can cover the sharp end of the wire with orthodontic wax or sugarless gum and use wire cutters or fingernail clippers disinfected with rubbing alcohol to clip the wire behind the tooth where it attaches.
Are Traditional Braces Covered by Insurance?
A number of dental insurance plans may cover some of the cost of orthodontic care. During your consultation, we will review your treatment options and costs with you and contact your provider to learn your plan's coverage amounts. Made Ya Smile Dental works with most PPO dental plans and can file your orthodontic claim on your behalf. To help your family's orthodontic treatment fit within your budget, we accept a range of payment options and are happy to provide information on treatment financing through low-interest options with CareCredit®.
Traditional Metal Braces FAQ
How long will I need to wear metal braces?
It is typical for patients to wear their braces for around 1 to 2 years. However, the time necessary will depend on your individual goals and orthodontic needs. Following our recommendations will help ensure your treatment gets completed quickly and effectively.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
Avoiding foods like popcorn, nuts, carrots, pretzels, and hard candy, in addition to sticky foods like caramel, gum, and bagels, help prevent brackets and wires from getting damaged.
Do traditional braces work like clear invisible aligners?
They are similar in how they gently guide the teeth to their respective positions with pressure. However, traditional braces come with wires and brackets. We'll evaluate if traditional braces are ideal for you and discuss your treatment options as follows. When searching for braces in Houston, TX, reach out to our reliable team. We'll help you understand your options so you can make the ideal choice for your dental health.
Traditional Orthodontic Care
Enjoy the advantages of achieving a straight and healthy smile with traditional metal braces. Today's braces are lighter and far more comfortable yet still provide the exceptional results patients of all ages need for their smiles. To start your family's orthodontic care, schedule a consultation with our experienced team today. Made Ya Smile Dental in Houston, TX is the premier location for comprehensive dental services.
