Braces involve a system of brackets and wires that shift the teeth into place to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. At Houston Orthodontic Specialists, we offer advanced braces options to help you see results more quickly, comfortably and aesthetically. Show off your hardware with metal braces or keep your treatment under wraps with clear braces. Whichever type you choose, we’ll make the experience positive and fun.
The Braces Basics
Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances, meaning they’re bonded to your teeth and stay in place throughout your treatment. They apply steady, gentle pressure to move your teeth into their correct positions. The outcome is an aligned bite and a beautiful smile. Dr. Tabakman, Dr. Bloome and Dr. Mount have the expertise to address even the most complex cases. During your free consultation, we’ll show you how our Houston braces can straighten your teeth, improve your oral health and boost your confidence.
In the past, braces were uncomfortable and bulky and the straightening process took a long time. Thankfully, today’s braces are smaller, more streamlined, more comfortable and work much faster. With lightweight, shape-memory archwires and high-tech brackets, like those we use with our Damon™ and SLX™ braces, in some cases, you can finish treatment months sooner with less friction and sensitivity. There’s never been a better time to wear braces!
Types of Braces We Offer in Houston & Bellaire
Metal or Clear Damon™ Braces
Damon braces consist of low profile, self-ligating brackets and lightweight, shape-memory arch wires for maximum precision and comfort. Self-ligating braces don’t use elastics or metal ties. They have a slide mechanism that holds the wire in place, allowing the teeth to move more freely as they’re guided into their ideal positions. There’s less friction and pressure, which decreases discomfort. Since Damon brackets are tie-less, they don’t require tightening and they’re easy to keep clean. We can achieve a terrific end result faster and with fewer appointments. Depending on your specific case, this can translate to seeing your beautiful new smile months sooner than you would with traditional braces. For patients concerned with aesthetics, we also offer clear self-ligating braces for even more discreet treatment!
The SLX bracket system is another choice for self-ligating braces. The brackets don’t require elastics or metal ties and utilize free-sliding technology with gentle, low forces to move your teeth into place more naturally, comfortably and quickly than conventional braces. The design allows for precise results in less time and with fewer appointments. Since there are no elastics to change, visits are shorter. The brackets are sleek, low profile and also feature smooth, rounded edges to reduce irritation. At Houston Orthodontic Specialists, you can choose between metal and clear SLX brackets.
Conventional Clear Braces
Our conventional clear braces are similar to conventional metal braces. Brackets and archwires apply gentle pressure to straighten the teeth and elastics secure the two components together. However, since the brackets are clear, they blend in with your smile and are much less noticeable. Made from newer, durable materials that resist staining, clear braces can benefit younger patients and adult patients alike.
Conventional metal braces are still the most common type of orthodontic treatment. They rely on stainless steel brackets and archwires to move the teeth into place and create the ideal bite. Younger patients tend to love traditional metal braces because they can pick out colorful elastics to show off their personalities. Metal braces can treat a wide variety of cases, work for patients of all ages and they’re more attractive and comfortable than they were in the past.
When you come in for your free consultation (you can schedule one here!), you’ll receive a warm welcome, meet the Houston Orthodontic Specialists family and tour our practice. A team member will take digital photos of your teeth and mouth, as well as complimentary digital X-rays. Your orthodontist will use these diagnostic records to come up with an accurate diagnosis. You’ll meet with the doctor to go over the findings, chat about your treatment options in detail and have all of your questions answered. A team member will also go over the cost of treatment, insurance information and our payment plans. By the time your consultation is done, you’ll feel informed and confident about your decisions.
This is a big day and getting your braces on doesn’t hurt a bit. We promise, there are no needles involved! You’ll take a seat and your doctor will use a special glue to bond your brackets to your teeth and then they’ll thread the archwire through the brackets. You’ll get instructions on how to care for your hardware and you’ll go on your way, one step closer to a new smile. If you prefer the convenience of not needing to come back into the office, we offer same-day braces. If you’re ready to jump right in, you can begin your treatment immediately after your consultation!
About every 10 to 12 weeks, depending on your treatment plan, you’ll visit the office for a checkup. We’ll review your chart and discuss what we have planned. We’ll talk about your progress and make the necessary adjustments. You’ll be seen by a doctor before your visit is over at each and every appointment.
Yay! It’s a momentous occasion, so, of course, we’ll congratulate you before we get started. Taking your braces off is just as painless as getting them put on. We’ll remove your brackets and wires, polish your teeth and let you check out your gorgeous smile in the mirror.
When your braces are removed, the teeth have a natural tendency to shift back to their old places. The only way to prevent this and maintain your results for a lifetime is to use a retainer. This will lock your bite in place. When you see how fantastic your smile looks, this won’t seem like a huge deal and eventually, you’ll only wear it at night.
Braces continue to be the most common teeth-straightening option because they’re efficient, effective and, now, attractive. We have options for every smile.
In a study, patients wearing self-ligating braces reported 60% less discomfort than those in conventional braces.
The wire crib, an early model of modern day braces, was introduced in 1819!
More than four million people in the United States wear braces.
While there are a variety of types of braces, they all rely on a system of brackets and archwires. The brackets are the pieces that are bonded to the teeth, either on the front or the back, using a special glue. Then, we thread a wire through the brackets, which acts as a track to guide the teeth. The gentle pressure exerted by braces causes the teeth to move in the desired direction. Conventional braces also include ligatures (tiny elastics or thin wires) to secure the archwires to the brackets. Our self-ligating braces don’t use ligatures and, instead, have a slide mechanism that holds the wire while the teeth move freely into position.
The procedure is painless and usually takes less than an hour. First, we’ll polish your teeth and prime the surface for the special glue we use. The doctor will stick the brackets on each individual tooth and the adhesive will ensure they stay put throughout your treatment. We’ll finish by threading your archwire through the brackets. It will be held in place with a slide mechanism if you opt for self-ligating braces or we’ll use elastics or metal ties for conventional braces. Before you go on your merry way, a team member will give you all of the information you need to care for your braces.
Every patient is unique and has different needs. In general, treatment will last between one and two years. If you want to speed things up, we do offer innovative braces systems that work more quickly than conventional braces. To get a specific number, schedule a free consultation with our Bellaire or Houston family orthodontists. Once the doctor examines you and formulates a diagnosis, they can let you know what to expect.
No! You’re never too old to get a healthy, beautiful smile with braces. In fact, about half of our patients at Houston Orthodontic Specialists are adults and we’ve had patients up to 80 years old. The benefits of straight teeth are more than cosmetic and braces can help improve your health and confidence. If you don’t love the idea of metal braces, just know that adults tend to be great candidates for aesthetic options, such as clear braces and Invisalign®, both of which we offer at our practice. Schedule your free exam online or by calling our office. We’ll help you decide on a treatment that fits your lifestyle and needs.
Removing your braces is pain-free and easy. Your Houston or Bellaire orthodontist will use special tools to loosen and remove the brackets and wires. They’ll scrape off any leftover adhesive, polish your teeth and let you check out your new smile in the mirror.
To get an estimate of how much braces cost, try out our payment calculator. We strive to make braces affordable for our patients and their families, which is why we offer several financing options and accept most insurances. We’re committed to helping you find a plan that fits your budget.
Braces don’t hurt and you shouldn’t feel serious pain. However, when you first get your braces put on and after they are tightened, your teeth and gums can be slightly tender. This discomfort is easily managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever like Motrin and by sticking to soft foods and cold drinks until it subsides.
For most treatment plans, you’ll come in for visits every 10 to 12 weeks. This can vary depending on your needs. These regular appointments are generally about 20 to 30 minutes.
When you’re wearing braces, you should brush your teeth in the morning, after meals and before bed for three minutes each session. If you forget your toothbrush while you’re out and about, rinse your mouth out really well after eating and brush when you get home.
