Traditional Braces – DFW Metroplex
Learn more about orthodontic solutions available from Bear Creek Family Dentistry, your trusted DFW Metroplex dentist and team.
Traditional braces have been used for decades to straighten teeth, correct bite alignment issues, and improve oral health, and patients of any age can use these proven orthodontic appliances to address a wide range of concerns. Advances in the materials and techniques used for traditional braces have made the treatment process more comfortable and efficient than ever before. These appliances use brackets, wires, and bands to apply gentle, consistent pressure that guides your teeth into proper alignment over time. The first step is a consultation with one of our orthodontists, who will evaluate your mouth and design a treatment plan tailored to your smile goals.
Orthodontists complete a minimum of two years training in an accredited orthodontic residency program after dental school.
Orthodontists are uniquely qualified in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of orthodontic problems.
Traditional braces use brackets, wires, and bands to gradually shift teeth into ideal alignment over 12 to 24 months.
Brackets are attached to the front surfaces of teeth while wires and bands exert pressure to shift the smile.
Patients visit the office every four to six weeks during treatment to have wires and bands adjusted.
Braces can treat bite misalignment (overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites), crowded and crooked teeth, and gapped teeth.
Alignment issues can lead to sleep apnea, hygiene difficulties, greater likelihood of damage and decay, and pain in the jaw, head, back, or neck.
After braces, a custom retainer is made from impressions of teeth to maintain alignment.
The retention phase is crucial to prevent teeth from moving back out of place.
Some patients are candidates for single-arch (top or bottom only) treatment, but it is quite rare.
Orthodontic emergencies are handled with same-day appointments.
Patients should avoid hard or sticky foods that can break the archwire or pull brackets out of place.
Patients should avoid acidic items that can leave dental stains and cause tooth decay.
Brushing and flossing several times a day as well as special tools to clean between and around brackets and wires is required.
It is common for patients to feel soreness and discomfort when they first get braces and during hours following adjustment appointments.
Chewing gum is strongly advised against as it can cause a bracket or wire to come out of place.
Braces available for adolescents and adults.