Most of us have considered getting braces at one point. Who doesn’t want a bright smile? Before getting braces, you need a consultation with your orthodontist for an examination. A dentist will make sure you have a healthy mouth before they proceed, though you will be treated for any cavities or other dental issues before an orthodontist can do any more.
Traditional metal braces are wires tightened across the teeth to straighten them. The full treatment will vary from person to person, but you should be prepared for months or years of wearing metal braces to work effectively. By the time that they come off, you can finally enjoy your new smile.
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What Braces Really Do
Braces do more than straighten your smile; they treat malocclusion of the teeth so that your jaw is in the proper position when you bite. This reduces the uneven wear of the teeth as they balance the force that goes into chewing. They can fix overbite, big gaps, or typical crookedness. Braces are also used for open bite treatment.
Straightened teeth have a lower risk of health problems inherently because they are so easy to clean. However, misaligned teeth trap debris and bacteria causing bad breath and tooth decay. The treatment will not only improve your smile, but also help you speak and chew better. The cost of braces in Texas has become affordable, so you can get these problems fixed.
Best age to get braces
Dentists can put braces on the teeth of both children and adults. Children should start seeing the dentist as soon as possible, though their adult teeth won’t even start to come in until they are around age 5. By seeing a dentist early, it is easier to set the foundation of their permanent teeth by undertaking the first stage of treatment. At this stage, the dentist adjusts the jawbone to make it large enough to handle the child’s permanent teeth.
When the permanent teeth grow, dentists move to the second stage. They fix braces on permanent teeth to move them in the right position. Since the jawbone is still growing, there are enough teeth to fill it out so that the children can have a beautiful, natural healthy smile. The braces Houston TX price is also spread over the years to make it affordable.
Treatment options have improved through decades of research, and there are affordable braces in Houston. In recent years, adult braces have become common. Since adults don’t have any jaw growth, they might need to get other procedures done besides getting adult braces.
Alternatives to traditional braces
If you don’t like metal braces, there are several options that you could use in your treatment.
Invisalign
Invisalign is an orthodontic system with a removable aligner tray. It puts pressure on the teeth to move them into a more desirable position, and you will go through a sequence of aligners over some time. They slowly move your teeth into a straightened position, but you don’t have to wear them all the time. They can be removed if necessary, making them perfect for anyone that doesn’t want to show their braces all the time.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are fixed retainers placed inside the teeth, facing the tongue. This is a great option for adult braces since users won’t have to worry about how others may see the change.
Since not all dentists can install fixed retainers, you might want to look for an experienced one. You must be prepared to pay more because they are expensive than traditional metal braces.
Retainer
You need to wear retainers after your braces or Invisalign are removed. It is important to wear them all the time for at least a month after your traditional metal braces come off, but your orthodontist may adjust this plan if they need to. This is when teeth are likely to shift back to their original position. If you have problems adhering to this course of treatment, you can get permanent retainers.
You can only use permanent retainers in the place of traditional metal braces to correct minor teeth issues.
How to choose between traditional metal braces and Invisalign?
Metal braces and Invisalign will both straighten your teeth but in different ways. What you choose is dependent on your lifestyle and needs. Metal is fairly obvious, but the clear trays of Invisalign are much less conspicuous. When your choice is between traditional metal braces vs Invisalign, users that don’t want to change their look much may opt for the latter.
You also need to carefully chew your food and thoroughly brush your teeth when using traditional metal braces vs Invisalign. Food may get stuck between the metal wires when you chew, which can lead to cavities and other dental problems.
Most people wonder to themselves, “Do braces hurt?” While they may cause some discomfort, your jaw and teeth will slowly adjust. If you don’t mind being uncomfortable, metal braces are the best option for you, and there are affordable braces in Houston that can help.
On the flip side, Invisalign is comfortable. Take the aligners out to eat and chew, rinse them out, and put them back on. No more food than you usually get stuck will remain between your teeth, but you may want to floss before you put the tray back on.
The downside is that you need to have a conscious effort to wear these clear trays for at least 16 hours a day. Otherwise, they will not work. If you don’t have the discipline to keep them in willingly, choose metal braces.
If you don’t want people to know that you are straightening your teeth, Invisalign would be the way to go. However, Invisalign cost in Houston Texas is more expensive than traditional metal braces.
You have so many options when it comes to orthodontic care. If you want to get braces Houston TX, schedule a consultation with Voss Dental to explore your options.
The average cost in Houston, Texas
One of the common questions is “how much do braces cost in Houston TX?” People also wonder where to get a cheap brace. Well, The average cost braces in Houston Texas ranges from $3,000 to $7000. The Invisalign cost in Houston Texas ranges from $4,300 to $7,400, while the lingual braces price is approximately $8,000 to $10,000.
If you have insurance, it may cover a large portion of the orthodontic cost braces in Houston Texas. However, without insurance, we will allow you to pay with low monthly installments.
How to care for braces
There are a few things you need to know to get the most out of your metal braces.
Dental hygiene
Maintain dental hygiene during your orthodontic treatment. Brackets and wires create ideal places for debris and plaque to thrive. If not removed, plaque can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
Brush your teeth after every meal and floss once a day. An easy and effective way to remove plaque around the metal braces and improve gum health is to use a water pick flosser.
Healthy diet
Eat a healthy and nutritious diet, which is essential to your bone and tissue, which are changing. Soft and nutritious foods are great choices since they won’t damage your braces.
On the other hand, avoid sticky, chewy, or hard foods. These textures are strong enough to break wires, which may cause discomfort and injure your mouth. Also, avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth. It is best to cut and break up hard foods.
Regular dentist visits
Visit your dentist every six months for regular checkups of your braces Houston TX. Having an affordable orthodontist in Houston Texas will be helpful. They will check the progress of your treatment, tighten the braces, and clean them.