Braces

Ceramic or metal braces can align your smile to balance your bite and make it easier to maintain your oral hygiene. Whether you’re an adult or adolescent interested in braces, Patricia Tran, DDS, MSD, PA, and the team at Discover Orthodontics in Katy, Texas, ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you leave treatment with a smile you’re proud to put on display. Call the office for more information or schedule a treatment consultation online right away. 

What are braces?

Braces are systems of brackets and wires that gradually shift your teeth into better-aligned positions. The team at Discover Orthodontics bonds one bracket to each of your teeth using dental cement after a thorough cleaning and exam. They then thread a wire through the braces along your upper and lower arch and attach bands to the brackets. 

You can get braces to treat:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Wide gaps
• Overlapping teeth

The team estimates how long you’ll need to wear your braces based on the starting positions of your teeth. While you have them, you visit Discover Orthodontics regularly for tightening and adjustments. 

How will my life change while having braces?

The Discover Orthodontics team carefully reviews the instructions with you as you go through the initial evaluation and treatment planning phase. You’ll need to make a few adjustments to your normal routine such as:

• Avoiding hard or crunchy foods
• Avoiding chewing on solid objects (e.g., ice cubes, popcorn seeds)
• Avoiding sticky foods and candies
• Using a threading tool to floss under the wires
• Brushing your teeth after every meal and snack
• Using a saltwater rinse to alleviate soreness after a tightening
• Attending regular orthodontic appointments

Caring for your teeth might be slightly more complex than usual with braces, and you’ll need to be extra thorough when you brush and floss to keep food from getting stuck between your teeth and around the brackets. When the treatment is complete, you have a well-aligned smile with less risk of tooth damage, cavities, and gum disease. 

Can I get braces as an adult?

Discover Orthodontics offers adult braces and encourages you to consider them if you have crooked teeth. Many people get braces during their teenage years, but adults can benefit from them too. However, your time with braces as an adult might be a little longer than treatment during adolescence because your jaw is fully grown. 

Can kids get braces?

Discover Orthodontics offers braces for adolescents too. As long as your child has all of their adult teeth, they can safely start orthodontic treatment. 

If your child still has their baby teeth, it’s not yet time for braces. However, you can simplify their future treatment by starting Phase One orthodontics if your child has an immediate orthodontic problem, such as spacing issues or jaw-growth discrepancies. 

For answers to all your questions about braces, call Discover Orthodontics or schedule a treatment consultation online today.