Braces

If you have crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth, braces can transform your smile and reduce the risk of cavities. At Hardy Webster Dental in Humble, Texas, the team of general and cosmetic dentists regularly prescribes braces to children, teens, and adults. They might recommend metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign®, depending on your needs. Call the office to request a braces consultation or book online today.

What are braces?

Braces are orthodontic appliances that place mild pressure on your teeth and jaw. They use removable aligners or brackets, archwires, and rubber bands to change the placement of your teeth, helping you achieve a more balanced smile. 

What types of problems can braces fix?

At Hardy Webster Dental, the team uses braces to fix various alignment problems, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowding
• Overlapping teeth
• Misaligned jaw
• Spaces between the teeth

You might also be a candidate for braces if you have an abnormal bite, such as crossbite, overbite, or underbite.

What kinds of braces are available?

At Hardy Webster Dental, the team offers several types of braces, including:

Metal braces

Metal braces have steel brackets that your dentist bonds to the front of your teeth. After the bonding material dries, your dentist runs a metal archwire through the brackets and attaches a series of rubber bands. The rubber bands and archwire put pressure on your teeth and jaw, slowly but surely improving their alignment.

Clear (ceramic) braces

Ceramic braces look similar to metal braces. The difference is that the brackets are made of ceramic instead of steel, and the archwire is frosted. The ceramic brackets and frosted archwire blend in with your tooth enamel, so the braces aren’t as visible.

Invisalign

Invisalign is an alternative to braces for mild alignment problems. Invisalign uses removable plastic aligners to straighten your teeth. You wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day, only removing them to eat or brush your teeth.

Are braces painful?

Many people with braces experience mild soreness and swelling after checkups, but these symptoms typically resolve in a day or two. If you experience any discomfort, take over-the-counter pain medication or place a bag of ice on your jaw. If the pain lasts for more than a day or two, contact Hardy Webster Dental.

How long will I need to wear braces?

The time you need to wear braces depends on several factors, including your age, goals, and the alignment problems treated. Some people finish treatment in 12-18 months*, but it takes longer for others. Be patient and attend each of your orthodontic checkups at Hardy Webster Dental.

Call Hardy Webster Dental to learn more about the benefits of braces or use the online booking feature today.

*Individual results may vary