Houston Braces

Some Dental Issues That Houston Braces Can Correct
Houston braces are a good idea if you have a malocclusion, which means your bite isn’t ideal and risks being detrimental to your health. An unideal bite is one that consists of crooked teeth, crowded teeth, extra teeth, or even an overbite or an underbite. Although some of our patients may be familiar with crooked and crowded teeth, others may not know much about overbites and underbites. Here is how they can be identified and what problems arise from them.

Overbite

An overbite often presents itself as “buck teeth” and is one of the most common reasons our south Houston dentist patients need braces. This type of bite occurs in patients whose upper jaw–and consequently, upper teeth–protrude further outward than the bottom jaw and teeth. Now, to be clear, we want some overlap, as this prevents your enamel from wearing abnormally. In doing so, your teeth are stronger and better protected against cavities.

How Does Having an Overbite Affect Your Teeth?

An overbite can easily cause you to have difficulties speaking, much like other malocclusions. Overbites have also been known to cause difficulty with chewing. This is because many of our patients with overbites regularly deal with biting their tongues and cheeks when they try to chew their food. Overbites may also damage your gums and your other teeth because of the improper bite pattern. How severe your overbite is will dictate how severe these side effects are, but thankfully our metal braces and ceramic Houston braces can correct this.

Underbite

A patient has an underbite when their lower teeth tend to protrude outward and are further out than the upper front teeth. You might compare this to a bulldog’s teeth. Because of the abnormal alignment of the teeth, this can cause cosmetic insecurities as well as other dental health problems.

How Does Having an Underbite Affect Your Teeth?

Some underbites are rather minor, but others may be severe. Similar to an overbite, though, the more severe the underbite, the more severe the problems.

Underbites make it harder for you to chew because the jaws are not clasping around food like they are supposed to. Another problem that results from an underbite is that this makes it harder for you to speak properly. The worst issue that can occur is that you experience pain in your mouth and face due to your misaligned jaws. If unaddressed, the pain can worsen and disrupt your day-to-day.

Houston Braces at Centra Dental in South Houston Correct Bad Bites

These are common reasons why our patients need dental braces. If you or your child have a bad bite, then please book an appointment with our South Houston family dentist. We will complete an evaluation to determine which kind of braces are best for your unique case.
South Houston Ceramic Braces vs Invisalign
If you or your child have teeth that are crooked or misaligned, then you’re probably going to get South Houston braces in the near future. If you talk with your South Houston family dentist, you’ll find that you are going to have options to choose from, usually between ceramic braces or Invisalign treatment. Both options are effective at giving you or your child a straight and perfect smile, but one of them might be a better choice for you than the other. Let’s dive into the differences between them.

Ceramic South Houston Braces vs. Invisalign: Speed and Effectiveness

In general, ceramic braces will take between 18-24 months to do the job, while Invisalign treatmentwill take only an average of 12 months to complete. The trade-off of Invisalign’s faster results is that they will require more regular visits to your South Houston family dentist as retainers are swapped out at a quick pace. In contrast, ceramic braces will also require adjustments, but not as often as Invisalign. When it comes to effectiveness, both will perform equally well at fixing crooked or misaligned teeth. However, ceramic South Houston braces may be more applicable over a wider range of cases, which is why, depending on your specific case, South Houston pediatric dentistry experts may recommend them over Invisalign.

Living With South Houston Braces: Ceramic Braces vs Invisalign

Your choice of ceramic braces or Invisalign will also impact your lifestyle during the duration of the treatment. This is another factor to discuss with your South Houston family dentist. Invisalign retainers can be removed during meals and for cleaning separately from the patient’s teeth. This makes them easier to live with than ceramic South Houston braces. Ceramic braces can require special brushes to keep clean, and also require the patient to abstain from sticky foods that may gunk them up. For this reason, South Houston Pediatric dentistry experts may recommend Invisalign for younger patients. Another factor to consider is the difference in cost. In general, ceramic braces will cost less than Invisalign treatment.

Get Your South Houston Braces From a Stress-Free and Pleasant South Houston Family Dentist

Whether you pick ceramic braces or Invisalign, our team at Centra Dental is committed to making your visits as stress-free and as pleasant as possible. Our goal is to be as helpful and caring as we can to each of our patients. Centra Dental accepts most PDP, DPPO, and PPO dental insurance plans, as well as CHIP and both Adult and Children's Medicaid, allowing us to be your trusted source for affordable braces. Get in touch with us and make an appointment to experience the Centra Dental difference!
South Houston Invisalign Do's And Don't's
At Centra Dental in Houston and South Houston, we offer various types of dental braces at an affordable price, including Invisalign. Though sometimes mistaken as a less-effective way to straighten your teeth, Invisalign Clear Aligners are actually very successful at correcting the alignment of your bite, so long as you follow our recommendations for the best way to take care of your teeth while undergoing Invisalign treatment. In this article, our South Houston family dentist will discuss a couple do’s and don’t’s that will impact how well Invisalign works for you.

What To Do When Wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners From Our South Houston Braces Dentist

Here are things you should do if you are a South Houston Invisalign patient:

Wear Your Invisalign For At Least 20 Hours A Day

Compared to our other Houston braces, Invisalign is a more delicate and subtle method of shifting the teeth, which means it can take a little longer in some cases. We recommend wearing your Clear Aligners for 20-22 hours a day to provide as much time for your aligner trays to do their job.

Keep Track Of Your Invisalign Clear Aligners

Because Invisalign isn’t glued to your teeth like ceramic Houston braces and metal dental braces, some patients run the risk of losing their aligners. If you lose them, you won’t wear them for as long as you need to in order to straighten your teeth. When you begin Invisalign treatment, be sure to store your Clear Aligners in your Invisalign case each time you remove them for meals and when you brush your teeth. Not only does this prevent you from losing them, but this also keeps them safe from damage and prevents excessive dirtiness.

What Not To Do As A South Houston Invisalign Patient

Avoid the following when undergoing Houston Invisalign:

Skip Cleaning Your Invisalign Clear Aligners

Just because you don’t have to wear your aligners 24/7 does not mean you should forgo good dental braces hygiene. When you finish eating and put your aligners back on, they will collect the plaque and bacteria in your mouth. It’s imperative that you clean them by gently brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush in the morning and before bed. This will keep your aligners from getting smelly and will protect your mouth from cavities.

Switch To Your Next Set Of Aligners If You Lose Your Current Pair

Sometimes mistakes happen and our Houston Invisalign patients lose a set of aligners. Do not jump to the next set if you’ve lost your current set because the aligners won’t fit properly, which means they won’t move your teeth the way they are supposed to. Instead, call our Houston braces dentists so we can determine the best course of action.

Think You Need Houston Braces? Visit Our South Houston Dentist

If you think it might be time to get dental braces, please book an appointment for a Houston braces consultation so we can determine if Invisalign is right for you and proceed with a treatment plan. We will provide you with further education on how to get the most out of your Invisalign Clear Aligners.
South Houston Invisalign For Teens
Invisalign Clear Aligners are an increasingly popular method for correcting any misalignment in your teenager’s teeth. At our South Houston family dentist office, we offer Invisalign in addition to ceramic dental braces and metal Houston braces to our pediatric dental patients. In this blog, we will explain why Invisalign may be a great option for your teenager.

South Houston Invisalign Is A Subtle And More Comfortable Option For Teenagers

Unlike metal or ceramic Houston braces, Invisalign doesn’t require brackets, wires, or rubber brands. In fact, Clear Aligners are much like clear plastic retainers that are made by first completing a 3D scan of your teen’s mouth. Once we complete the scans and study them, we will design custom plastic Invisalign trays that will be made in our dental lab. These plastic trays will put gentle pressure on your teenager’s teeth so that they gradually shift until they are straight.

Because there are no wires involved and, as their name implies, Invisalign Clear Aligners are nearly transparent when placed on the teeth. This is ideal for your child if they tend to feel self-conscious in their smile and would prefer not to draw attention to their teeth

South Houston Invisalign Is Flexible

If your teenager is very responsible and well-disciplined, they will greatly benefit from the greater flexibility that Invisalign offers. Invisalign is removable, unlike our other Houston braces treatments, so our patients should remove them at mealtimes. Additionally, if worn as directed by our South Houston family dentist, which is for 20-22 hours a day without being misplaced or lost, then your teenager may be able to skip the Invisalign for a special occasion, such as prom.

Are There Any Downsides To Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Invisalign seems like the perfect solution to fix a bad bite, but there are some limitations. For example, if your teenager has a severe malocclusion, Invisalign may not be as effective or as efficient at straightening the teeth compared to metal dental braces. Further, their flexibility will require your teenager to be very mindful of perfectly following our instructions in order to get the most out of Invisalign.

Visit Our South Houston Braces Dentist to See if Invisalign is the Best Treatment for Your Teen

If you think Invisalign might be a good option for your teen, then please book an appointment with our South Houston family dentist. We will determine what treatment method works best for your child's smile.
Stay Away From At-Home Invisalign Treatment and Get Houston Braces Instead
You’ve probably seen commercials on television or advertisements on YouTube and other social media platforms that try to sell clear aligners over the internet, which the company then sends right to your home for a simple, affordable, at-home Houston braces treatment. Our South Houston family dentists are here to tell you to stay away from these kinds of products. Here’s why.

How At-Home Braces Treatment Works

These companies will usually start your treatment by sending you an impression kit so they can see how your teeth are currently aligned. After you send back the impression (which is usually done incorrectly), they claim to use 3D modeling to send you your clear aligners with a wearing schedule.

At-Home Clear Aligner Treatment is Not as Customized as it Should Be

When you come into our South Houston family dentist office for Houston braces treatment, we take impressions and utilize 3D modeling in order to visualize every single phase your teeth go through as we correct their alignment, and we’ll even show you our plan once we complete it. We also see you in-person every few weeks during your Houston Invisalign treatment so we can take the closest look possible and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on the right track of alignment. When you get clear aligners off of a website and send in your materials, they may follow up with you via telemedicine, but they can’t thoroughly examine your bite or your progress through a camera. To get the best results, you need to see the dentist in person.

Clear Aligners Aren’t Effective For Everyone

If you’ve read our blog, When Our South Houston Family Dentist Recommends Invisalign Clear Aligners, then you’ll know that clear aligners work best on mild cases. If you have a severe malocclusion, clear aligners found in mail-order kits may not be the best option. You may benefit more from ceramic Houston braces or metal Houston braces.

You May End Up Paying More Than You Would at Our South Houston Dentist Office

We already offer affordable Houston braces, as low as $99 a month. If you go through with mail-order clear aligner kits and treatment doesn’t go smoothly, you may have to pay all over again for a second correction at an orthodontist or dentist office. If the damage done to your teeth by mail-order clear aligners is bad enough, you may end up needing to under surgery or another dental procedure.

Centra Dental Family Dentist in South Houston Wants to Keep You and Your Smile Safe

Although mail-order/at-home braces treatment seems convenient and affordable, you are sacrificing quality for convenience and a healthy smile shouldn’t be about convenience. If you would like to undergo Invisalign Clear Aligner treatment, please book an appointment with our South Houston braces dentist so we can evaluate your teeth, discuss your needs and goals, and come up with a safe, affordable, and effective treatment plan that we can monitor for you.
The Advantages of Houston Invisalign Over Traditional Braces
A beautiful smile can boost confidence and improve oral health, and thanks to modern advancements, achieving that perfect smile has become easier and more comfortable than ever. Houston Invisalign, a popular alternative to traditional metal braces, is a game-changer for those seeking straighter teeth without the hassle and discomfort of traditional braces. At Centra Dental, we embrace every smile, providing a clean, safe, and family-friendly environment to ensure you receive the best dental experience in Houston. If you're considering straightening your teeth, here are some advantages of choosing Invisalign over traditional braces.

1. Discreet Appearance

One of the main reasons people prefer Houston Invisalign is the nearly invisible appearance of the aligners. Made from clear plastic, Invisalign aligners are subtle and blend in with your natural teeth, making them ideal for adults and teens who may feel self-conscious about wearing traditional metal braces. Whether you're in a professional setting, at school, or socializing, Invisalign allows you to maintain confidence in your appearance without the noticeable metal wires and brackets.

2. Comfort and Convenience

Traditional Houston braces can be uncomfortable due to the metal brackets and wires that can irritate the inside of your mouth. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are made from smooth, BPA-free plastic, making them much more comfortable to wear. Since they are custom-fitted to your teeth, there are no sharp edges or wires that can cause discomfort or injury. Additionally, Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to take them out when eating, brushing, or flossing—something that’s not possible with traditional braces. This convenience makes maintaining oral hygiene easier and prevents food from getting stuck in your braces.

3. Fewer Dental Visits

With traditional braces, frequent dental visits are necessary to adjust the wires and brackets. Invisalign requires fewer trips to your Houston dentist because you receive a set of aligners that gradually move your teeth over time. You’ll typically need to visit Centra Dental every 6-8 weeks to check on your progress and receive your next set of aligners. This means less time spent in the dental chair and more time enjoying life.

4. No Dietary Restrictions

One of the major downsides to traditional braces is the list of food restrictions, as sticky, hard, or chewy foods can damage the brackets and wires. With Houston Invisalign, there are no dietary restrictions because the aligners are removable. You can enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about damaging your orthodontic appliance. Just remember to remove the aligners before eating and brush your teeth before putting them back in.

5. Improved Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene can be challenging with traditional braces, as it’s harder to clean around the wires and brackets. Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Invisalign makes it easy to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, reducing the risk of oral health issues during your treatment. At Centra Dental, we emphasize the importance of maintaining clean and healthy teeth throughout your Invisalign journey.

Why Choose Centra Dental for Your Houston Invisalign Treatment?

At Centra Dental, we provide a welcoming environment where families can feel comfortable and confident in their dental care. Our team of top-rated dentists is dedicated to delivering the best dental experiences, whether you're considering Invisalign or another service. With our clean, safe facility and focus on patient satisfaction, you can trust our Houston family dentist to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

If you’re ready to explore the benefits of Houston Invisalign and start your journey toward a straighter smile, contact Centra Dental today. We’re here to embrace your smile and provide you with the care and support you deserve!
The Benefits of Houston Invisalign for Adults

At Centra Dental, we believe that a confident smile is for everyone—no matter their age. As a trusted Houston family dentist, we understand that many adults want straighter teeth but prefer a discreet, comfortable solution. That’s why Houston Invisalign is an excellent choice for adults looking to enhance their smile without the hassle of traditional braces.
The Best Time for Our Houston Kids to Get Dental Braces
If you have a pre-teen or teenager, chances are you've noticed that their friends have been getting braces. Perhaps you're considering them for your child, too. We encourage it while they are young because it's best for kids to get braces between the ages of 10 and 14. Here's why.

All Baby Teeth Have Fallen Out

When your child's milk teeth have finished falling out, the rest of their permanent teeth, which are also known as "adult teeth", have already begun to emerge. The greatest benefit to waiting until this age for dental braces is that, when your child's adult teeth have emerged, their jaw has become more stable. Before investing in Houston braces, we recommend you come in for an evaluation with our South Houston family dentists. Our skilled dentists will be able to spot out any potential issues that may arise before they actually do, such as crowding, excessive spacing, and overbites. If not addressed, these issues can cause problems that interfere with their day to day dental health. Coming in for a consultation will ensure our dentists plan the correct treatment for your child. One more reason we recommend for your child to get braces between 10 and 14 years old is because they will be much more comfortable throughout their treatment, as they will not have to worry about gaps and emerging teeth while wearing their braces.

Your Child's Head and Mouth are Still Growing

The most important reason why we tell our South Houston patients to get braces at such a young age is because at that age, their heads and mouths are still growing. This allows for very easy moldability, which results in straighter teeth in a shorter amount of time. Their teeth and jaws are still moving, so the braces they wear will smoothly guide their teeth into the right position. Although we also offer braces for adults, we find that sometimes their treatment can take a bit longer than their child's treatment. This is mainly attributed to the fact that for adults, their permanent teeth have been in place for far longer, so it will take some extra time and effort to guide them toward the correct alignment.

Getting Houston Dental Braces Early Will Increase Your Child's Confidence in the Future

We understand that ages 10 through 14 are highly developmental years, so some of our patients may not be excited to get braces. However, the earlier they get them, the shorter the treatment. Additionally, when treatment is over and they see themselves with straight, healthy teeth and no discomfort whatsoever, it will be well worth it. When kids finish their treatment, they experience a new level of confidence that positively impacts the rest of their lives.
The Importance Of Retainers After Houston Braces
Approaching the end of your Houston braces treatment is an exciting feeling because you will be able to show off a gorgeous smile really soon! However, giving you a new smile doesn’t just finish there. In fact, once your treatment is completed, you will have to switch to wearing orthodontic retainers for an extended period of time, but don’t worry–they are more flexible than dental braces. In this article, we will explain the importance of wearing retainers after your Houston braces treatment.

Your Teeth Will Tend To Shift Again

Both children and adults who wear braces will experience this. This occurs because the teeth haven’t had a chance to fully settle into the soft tissues of your mouth. Remember that, for at least an entire year, your teeth have been 100% reliant on metal, ceramic, or even plastic from your Invisalign Clear Aligners in order to hold them in place. To mitigate this and let them settle into their new alignment, you should wear your retainers day and night for at least a year, but this will also depend on the individual’s case.

Retainers Protect Your Investment

Wearing retainers after completing your Invisalign, metal, or ceramic Houston braces treatment is a sure way to make your investment in your smile well worth it. As we age, our teeth naturally try to shift again, and as frustrating as this is, remember that your dental braces prevented (or got rid of) some serious complications with your dental health. By diligently wearing your retainers day and night and then transitioning to only wearing them most nights, you will strengthen your teeth so they remain straight and healthy for years and years to come. You might even get to enjoy your new, perfectly aligned smile for the rest of your life.

Get Fitted For Retainers at Centra Dental In Houston And South Houston

When you’re near the end of your Houston braces treatment, please book an appointment with us so we can confirm that you’re ready for your braces to be removed soon. At this appointment, we will also take impressions of your new smile so we can fit you for your retainers and educate you and how to wear them. We can’t wait to embrace your smile!
The Importance of Wearing Your Elastics with Houston Braces
At Centra Dental, your trusted provider of general and family dentistry, we understand that wearing elastics with your Houston braces is a crucial aspect of your orthodontic treatment. These small rubber bands may seem insignificant, but they play a vital role in ensuring the success of your Houston braces journey. Let's delve into the importance of wearing your elastics and how they contribute to achieving a straighter and healthier smile.
Tips For A Smooth Houston Braces Experience
If you’re currently undergoing Houston braces treatment, or plan to very soon, you may be wondering what you can do to ensure your treatment goes by smoothly. In this article, our Houston family dentists will offer some of our best tips to help you get the most out of your dental braces treatment.

Be Mindful Of The Food You Eat When Wearing Houston Braces

No, this doesn’t mean to go on a diet. This just means that you need to be careful that you don’t eat foods that will damage your braces.

Some foods you should avoid, especially early on in your Houston braces treatment, include:
- Crunch foods, such as chips and popcorn
- Sticky foods, such as candy and bubble gum
- Foods that you usually bite directly into, such as carrots, corn, and apples. Instead, we recommend you chop these beforehand.
Not only will avoiding these foods reduce the pain and discomfort you feel shortly after getting dental braces, but doing so will also protect your braces from breaking over the course of your treatment.

Play Sports Safely

Most of our Houston braces patients are children, which means plenty of them regularly participate in after-school sports. Even some of our adult patients participate in sports in their free time. Regardless of how old our patients are, everyone who practices a close contact sport may benefit from wearing a protective mouthguard that is custom-fitted to their teeth. This way, if there is some trauma during a game, your teeth will be far better protected and we can address it in a timely manner.

Practice Good Dental Braces Hygiene

Good dental hygiene is a must, but Houston braces patients must be extra cautious with how well they take care of their teeth. You can read more about proper dental hygiene when wearing Houston braces here.

Get Affordable Houston Braces At Centra Dental

Our dentists, who treat families in Houston and South Houston, offer exceptional dental braces treatment, including ceramic braces, metal braces, and Invisalign Clear–all at an affordable price starting as low as $99/month. Please book an appointment with us so we can assess the health of your teeth and get you started with a Houston braces consultation. We look forward to giving you a healthy, beautiful smile!
Tips for Living with Houston Invisalign
Centra Dental, your trusted provider of general and family dentistry in Southwest Houston, is committed to ensuring that your experience with Invisalign is as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Our helpful and caring Houston dentist is here to guide you every step of the way. Invisalign offers a modern solution for teeth alignment, combining comfort and aesthetics. Here are some essential tips for living with Houston Invisalign to ensure your journey is smooth and effective.
Tips for Traveling With Houston Braces or Invisalign This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time for traveling to visit family and friends. But when you’re away from your dentist, emergencies can arise with your Houston braces. It’s important to know what to do in these situations to minimize discomfort and damage to your Houston braces or Invisalign. Our top-rated dentists at Centra Dental have some tips to get you ready for the holiday season.

Pack a Braces Care Kit

When traveling for the holidays, it’s essential to pack a kit with everything you need for braces care. Make sure to bring the basics, including your toothbrush, dental floss, and fluoride toothpaste. Because Houston braces need special care, you may want to bring specific tools like interdental brushes or a water flosser. If you have Houston Invisalign, bring your case.

Bring Wax for Accidents

If you wear metal braces, accidents can happen, such as damaging your brackets and wires. You’re now left with sharp points that can injure the inside of your cheeks and gums. Because your Houston dentist isn’t nearby, you don’t have a place to rush to for emergencies. We recommend packing your ortho wax in case of an accident. This way, you can temporarily relieve the pain or discomfort until you find a dental clinic near you.

Eat Braces-Friendly Food

The holidays are a time for delicious feasts, but it’s important to be mindful of the specific foods you eat. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can damage your wires and brackets, leading you to need emergency dental care. Stick to soft foods that are easy on your Houston metal braces. If you’re strict about what you eat when you have traditional braces, the chances of you damaging your braces lessen.

Keep a Houston Dentist’s Contact Handy

If you’re going to be away from your dentist, make sure to look for dental clinics in the city you’re traveling to. Do your research and call the clinics ahead of time. Centra Dental is located in an accessible area and caters to a wide range of cases. We’re ready to serve your entire family should you need vital dental services.

Finish Your Dental Appointments

Before leaving for your trip, we suggest you finish all your scheduled dental appointments. Doing so lessens the chances of you needing emergency dental care. Our Houston dentist will make sure every bracket is in place and in good shape. If you have Invisalign, make sure you’re wearing your latest set of aligners. Getting your appointments done before the holidays ensures your treatment progress.

Schedule an Appointment for Houston Braces Today

Do you need dental assistance before you travel for the holidays? At Centra Dental, we embrace your smiles. Our top-rated dentists provide all vital services, such as teeth cleaning, Houston braces, fillings, and more. We have a clean and safe facility where you can feel comfortable and have a stress-free dental experience. We also accept dental insurance. Contact us today to schedule a visit!
Tips To Maintain Dental Hygiene When Wearing Houston Braces
Houston braces are a big deal, and we are proud to offer affordable metal braces, ceramic braces, and even Invisalign Clear Aligners. In monitoring our patients’ progress during their dental braces treatment, we take note of how well they take care of their dental health and often get asked what they can do to reduce their chance of getting cavities. In this blog, our Houston family dentists will offer our top tips for maintaining your best dental health possible while undergoing Houston braces treatment.

Tip 1: Brush Your Teeth More Frequently

When wearing braces, it is easy to miss a few spots when brushing your teeth, so our South Houston dentist recommends carefully brushing your teeth after every meal and snack. It may seem excessive, but this is the best way to prevent food from getting stuck in the brackets of your metal and ceramic dental braces, or behind the plastic of your Invisalign Clear Aligners. Remember that food left behind impedes your treatment from working properly.

Tip 2: Consider Using Interdental Brushes

Interdental brushes, also known as brush picks, are a great step between brushing your teeth and flossing because it gets rid of any stray food particles that were left behind after brushing. We recommend using them after each time you brush and then switching to string floss at night before bed, which brings us to our next tip...

Tip 3: Floss Your Teeth Every Night

Even if you use a brush pick, there might be smaller, harder-to-reach food particles that floss can easily remove. Today, there are several types of floss available, including floss designed to be used while wearing dental braces. Although flossing can be tricky with braces, patience helps and so can we the next time you come to our South Houston dentist office for a cleaning and a check-up.

Tip 4: Get A Teeth Cleaning At Our Houston And South Houston Dental Offices Every 6 Months

By coming into our Houston family dentist office for your teeth cleanings twice a year, we can check on your overall dental health and clean your teeth more deeply and thoroughly than you would at home. If it’s time to get a dental cleaning, please book an appointment so we can schedule one as soon as possible and assess the health of your teeth.
Top 5 Foods to Avoid When You Have Houston Braces
Getting Houston braces is a significant step towards achieving a beautiful, straight smile. However, it comes with certain dietary restrictions to ensure the braces work effectively and to avoid damage. According to our Houston dentist at Centra Dental, here are the top five foods you should avoid when you have braces:
Wear Your Retainers After Houston Braces Treatment
Approaching the end of your Houston braces treatment is so exciting! Before you know it, you’ll be showing off your brand new smile, but remember that you still need to wear retainers after your Houston braces come on in order to ensure your new smile sticks around. Don’t worry, though. Retainers are removable and offer more flexibility than dental braces. In this article, our South Houston family dentists will explain the importance of wearing retainers after concluding your braces treatment.

Orthodontic Retainers Prevent Your Teeth From Shifting Again

Believe it or not, after braces, your teeth will try to shift again. This occurs because your teeth haven’t had a chance to fully settle into the soft tissues of your mouth. Remember that, for at least an entire year, your teeth have been 100% reliant on metal, ceramic, or even plastic from your Invisalign Clear Aligners in order to hold them in place. To mitigate this and let them settle into their new alignment, you should wear your retainers day and night for at least a year, but this will also depend on the individual’s case.

Orthodontic Retainers Protect Your Investment In Your New Smile

Wearing retainers after completing your Invisalign, metal braces, or ceramic Houston braces treatment is a sure way to make your investment in your smile well worth it. As frustrating as it is to realize that you need to take another step to allow your teeth to stay in their alignment, remember that dental braces from our Houston and South Houston dentist offices prevented (or got rid of) some serious complications with your dental health.

By diligently wearing your retainers day and night and then transitioning to only wearing them most nights, you will strengthen your teeth so they remain straight for years and years to come. You might even get to enjoy your new, perfectly aligned smile for the rest of your life.

Get Fitted For Retainers at Centra Dental In Houston And South Houston

When you’re near the end of your Houston braces treatment, please book an appointment with us so we can confirm that you’re ready for your braces to be removed soon. At this appointment, we will also take impressions of your new smile so we can fit you for your retainers and educate you and how to wear them and how to best take care of them. Houston braces and orthodontic retainers won’t last forever, but with adequate care, your new smile can last as long as you let it!
Wear Your Retainers So You Can Always Smile Confidently After Houston Braces
You’re about to complete your Houston braces treatment, so you must be super excited to show off your new, beautiful smile after wearing braces for the last couple of years! However, a common misconception is that once the braces are off, that’s it and no more work needs to be done. The truth is, once your braces are off, you still have to wear retainers for a number of reasons.

Your Teeth Can Still Shift After Braces

As adults, your teeth will have a habit of trying to shift back to the malocclusion you experienced prior to braces. This is because the wires and brackets are off and no longer holding your teeth in place. For kids who wear our Houston braces, as they grow, so do their jaws, which means their teeth will tend to shift as well. We have had some patients question why they had to undergo braces treatment just for their teeth to shift again, but as long as you wear your retainers, your teeth will remain properly aligned.

Our South Houston dentist often recommends our patients wear their retainers day and night for about a year, but how long you wear them will also depend on your particular case. You should take your retainers off when you eat and brush your teeth, but it’s imperative that you wear them at all other times. This will ensure that as your teeth settle into the soft tissues in your mouth and their new position along your jaw, they won’t become easily misaligned again.

Wearing Your Retainers Protects Your Investment In Houston Braces

Another reason to wear your retainers after completing your braces treatment is so that you can protect your investment. As we age, our teeth will naturally try to shift, but constantly wearing retainers for a year, and then transitioning to wearing them on most nights will make a big difference in the longevity of your beautifully aligned smile. If you are really responsible with your retainers, you may get to enjoy beautiful, straight teeth for the rest of your life.

Retainers After Houston Braces at Centra Dental

As you come close to the end of your treatment, our South Houston dentists will take impressions of your now-straight teeth so that we can fully customize your retainers to your new smile. If you have just received your retainers but feel like they don't fit well, resulting in a lot of discomfort, please contact us so we can make adjustments to ensure you're comfortable wearing them.
Wearing South Houston Invisalign Instead Of Metal Braces
Today, more and more dentists are offering Invisalign Clear Aligners in addition to traditional metal braces and ceramic Houston braces. In this article, we will discuss how Invisalign differs from metal dental braces and what to keep in mind if you are considering inquiring about Invisalign treatment.

The Difference Between Invisalign And Metal Houston Braces

Metal braces are the traditional method of straightening the teeth and have been for many decades now. This is precisely why they are still trusted by many of our South Houston dentists’ patients today.

Metal braces are, of course, made of metal, so they are rather prominent. However, the good news is that today’s metal dental braces are much lighter in weight and color, so they are more comfortable to wear. Over the course of metal Houston braces treatment, our South Houston family dentist will regularly tighten the patient's archwire in order to guide the teeth to the correct position.

Invisalign, on the other hand, involves no wires. As their name implies, they are nearly invisible. Our patients’ custom aligner trays are made by doing a 3D scan of the patient's mouth and sending it, along with impressions, to our dental lab. Instead of tightening the archwire, we simply give patients a new aligner tray each time, which is slightly different in shape in order to move the teeth to the desired alignment.

The Pros Of Houston Invisalign Treatment

There are a number of “pros” that encourage patients to undergo Invisalign treatment, such as the fact that:
- Hardly anyone notices that a patient is undergoing any treatment, thanks to their clear design
- Invisalign Clear Aligners are removable anytime a patient wants to eat
- There are fewer (and shorter) appointments because our patients just need to put on their newest set instead of having to come in to get their wires cut and tightened
The Cons Of South Houston Invisalign Treatment

Along with many benefits, there are some downsides of Invisalign to consider before you decide you would like to undergo this treatment, including that:
- Their clear design means food particles are easily spotted when stuck between the teeth
- Food getting stuck between the teeth impedes the aligners from putting the right amount of pressure on the teeth
- The ability to remove Invisalign Clear Aligners means they can be lost if patients aren’t careful
- Invisalign must be strictly worn for 20-22 hours a day or else the desired alignment will not be achieved without extending the duration of treatment
Our South Houston Family Dentist Will Help You Decide If Invisalign Is Right For You

If you think you or your child may be a great candidate for Invisalign Clear Aligners, then please book an appointment with us so we can begin with an evaluation. At this Houston braces evaluation, we will examine your teeth to determine which is the best treatment plan for your smile.
What is the Youngest Age at Which Your Child Can Get Houston Braces?
Although we get many adult patients who seek Houston braces treatment, children are our most typical patient. Many parents start asking us what is the youngest age at which their child can get braces. Although this may vary case by case, here is what our South Houston family dentists recommend.

The Youngest Age For Houston Braces Patients

Dental braces treatment usually takes place between the ages of 8 and 14 because, at this time, most kids have lost all or most of their baby teeth. That said, the best time for your child to get dental braces greatly depends on how severe their malocclusion (bad bite) is. Some children may need braces for longer due to a really bad bite, so in some cases we may recommend they start closer to 8. Other children may not have as bad a case, so they can wait a bit longer and get fitted for braces closer to age 14.

Get an Early Orthodontic Evaluation at Centra Dental

Because everyone's mouth is different, we understand that a ballpark range of ages may not be the exact answer you were looking for. Because of this, our South Houston family dentists like to recommend that parents bring their child in for an orthodontic evaluation when the child is about 7 years old. Even though some children still have some of their baby teeth at 7, our trained dentists are able to draw conclusions on how their teeth and jaw will develop. At this evaluation, we will be able to tell when your child should get braces and if interceptive treatment will be beneficial. Interceptive treatment involves using dental appliances to complete early treatment if a patient’s malocclusion is one that can worsen the longer it’s left untreated.

Houston Braces at Centra Dental in South Houston

Children are either excited about braces or dreading the experience, but dental braces today are much lighter in weight and more subtle in appearance than they used to be. With the many types of Houston braces we offer, we’ll find the method that works best for your child to have healthy, straight teeth in the future. If your child is reaching age 7, please schedule an appointment with us to begin discussing their treatment.
What Takes Place At Your Houston Braces Consultation
So you’ve decided it might be time for Houston braces. That’s great news! You are well on your way to a beautiful, healthier smile. However, before you get your Invisalign, ceramic dental braces, or metal dental braces, you must first undergo a Houston braces consultation so that our family dentists in Houston and South Houston can design a customized treatment plan that will change your smile. In this article, we will discuss when is the best time to come in for a consultation, what you can expect at this appointment, and what the next steps will be.

When To Get A Houston Braces Consultation

When it comes to dental braces treatment, the earlier the better! If you’re a parent looking into Houston braces for your child, then you will be glad to know that they can come in for a consultation once all their baby teeth have fallen out and their permanent teeth have emerged.

If you’re an adult looking into adult dental braces treatment in Houston, then you can come in for a consultation as soon as you’d like.

What To Expect At Your Dental Braces Consultation At Our Houston And South Houston Family Dentist Office

When you visit us for your first consultation, a few tasks need to be completed:
- Gathering X-rays
- Taking dental photographs
- Taking impressions
We will also take the time to learn more about your needs and preferences. Once we have these materials, we will review them and determine whether Invisalign, ceramic dental braces, or metal dental braces may be best for your particular case. Once you decide on which type of Houston braces treatment you will undergo, we will map out the course of your treatment or that of your child’s utilizing our state-of-the-art dental braces technology.

What Happens After Your Houston Braces Consultation

Once we know what dental braces treatment you will undergo, it’s time to book your fitting. If you will undergo Invisalign, we will get your aligner trays made at our lab before you come into our office to wear them for the first time.

If you are undergoing ceramic dental braces or metal dental braces treatment, your next appointment will be the one in which we actually attach the braces to your teeth, which will last about 1-2 hours. You can learn more about what to expect when first getting braces here.

Ready For Dental Braces? Visit Us At Our Houston Or South Houston Family Dentist Offices

If you believe that it’s about time for you or your child to get braces, then please book an appointment with our dentist so we can begin with our dental braces consultation and design an effective treatment plan. We look forward to giving your teen a beautiful smile they are proud to show off!