Dental Braces in Killeen, TX

What are Braces?

When faced with crooked teeth, severe gaps in your smile, or other potentially serious malocclusion problems in our young patients, it’s likely that we’ll recommend traditional braces. The use of braces can help children achieve a bite that is not only more attractive but healthier as well.

Braces are a common orthodontic service that is designed to improve the alignment of teeth at a gentle and gradual pace. There are three distinct components – the brackets, the wires, and the rubber bands. The brackets are directly attached to the teeth, and the wires are placed over them with the help of the bands. The wire is regularly adjusted throughout the treatment process so that it can exert enough pressure on the teeth to shift them towards their desired positioning.

What Kind of Issues Can Orthodontics Correct?

Orthodontic treatment doesn’t just lead to straighter teeth. It can help with other oral health issues, like:

• Overcrowding
• Misaligned teeth
• Bite problems, such as an open bite, underbite, overbite, or crossbite
• Large gaps between in the smile
• Risk of cavities and gum disease
• TMJ disorders

A Brief History of Orthodontics

History shows that having aesthetically pleasing and straight teeth has likely always been a desire for humans. Mummy remains have shown that in ancient times around 300 B.C., Egyptians were buried with oral appliances. Archeologists have discovered metal bands and fibers on the teeth of several remains. The attachments resemble the kind of brackets and wires that orthodontists use today. Even Cleopatra was said to have had a set of “braces.”

But it wasn’t until the 18th century when orthodontics started making advances. A French dentist, Dr. Pierre Fauchard is credited with inventing modern orthodontic appliances. Many techniques, tools, and terms that were developed hundreds of years ago are still used today.

This long history means one thing - traditional braces work!

When Should I Bring My Child for a Consultation?

Our board-certified orthodontists would love to see families for a consultation by age seven, so don’t hesitate to contact our Harker Heights, TX office to schedule a visit. When it comes to orthodontics, some issues can be easier dealt with if they’re caught early. We can spot problems in your growing child and intercept them in an efficient manner, before they become more complex.

Some patients require getting braces in two separate phases. If we spot growing irregularities we can intervene through “Phase I” treatment. For example, if your child has a narrow arch and we determine that she won’t have enough room for all her permanent teeth to come in, we can perform an arch expansion. It’s possible to do this at an older age, but with younger children it’s easier and faster to manage, since their mouths are still growing. With Phase 1 interceptive orthodontic treatments, we can guide the jaws growth patterns into a proper pattern.

Around the age of 12, when your child has all or most of her teeth, we can place another set of braces. Known as “Phase 2”, this stage of treatment will get her the final proper alignment and smile that she’ll wear for the rest of her lifetime.

Not all children will require two sets of braces. In many cases, a child can be treated with full orthodontics at once, after they’ve lost all their baby teeth.

Alternatives to Traditional Braces

Is your son or daughter unwilling to wear braces? We understand that some may see the appearance as off-putting. Through continual advancements in orthodontics, new alternative forms of treatment are currently offered.

Our practice also provides Invisalign, which is an option that offers a more image-friendly alternative for teens and adults. Invisalign is a form of orthodontics which uses a series of clear aligners trays to straighten a person’s teeth. The aligners slide over your smile and gradually guide teeth into the proper position.

Invisalign is virtually invisible, so it’s an attractive option for our older, teenage patients who dread the thought being seen with metal in their mouth. Plus, it can treat many of the same issues as traditional braces.

The aligners are removable, so it makes being able to maintain good oral hygiene a lot easier - which is a struggle for a lot of kids. It may be a great option for your family. If you and your child think this is the route you may want to take, then schedule a consultation with us to find out if it’s an option.

The Orthodontic Process

Throughout orthodontic treatment, patients will need to make regular visits to our office so that our dentists and orthodontists can make any necessary adjustments to ensure that improvements are progressing smoothly. These appointments will typically need to be scheduled every six weeks, on average.

If for whatever reason, the wire comes loose or a bracket falls off, you should give us a call right away. In order to stay on track and prevent relapse, we need to repair any appliances right away.

Trust the Experts

Not sure if your child needs braces? Not sure what type of orthodontic treatment option is best for her? That’s what we’re here for! When you bring your family in for a consultation, we’ll address all of your concerns and provide you with our recommended treatment options.

We also accept dental insurance and offer payment plans. Someone will be available to discuss your benefits with you so you can budget accordingly.

Don’t worry, we have everything covered so don’t wait any longer. Pick up the phone and come see our orthodontic team today. We look forward to helping your loved ones enjoy a smile that’s healthier and happier!