Braces in Amarillo, TX

Braces are a popular and effective orthodontic tool that helps children, teenagers, and adults achieve straighter teeth. Dr. Astuto is a board-certified orthodontist in Amarillo, TX, who personalizes the orthodontic journey to meet every patient's unique needs. If it's time for you or your child to wear braces, we invite you to contact Full Smile Orthodontics in Amarillo, TX, today.

How Do Braces Work?

Dental braces work by using brackets and wires to put pressure on teeth, forcing them to move into proper alignment. They can treat many orthodontic conditions, including crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, open bite, gaps between teeth, and more. Patients of all ages can benefit from braces, and the specifics of treatment are tailored to fit every patient’s specific needs.

In addition to brackets and wires, sometimes other appliances are used like springs, which open or close spaces between teeth, or elastics that help align the upper and lower jaw. Some brackets have rubber ties that fasten the arch wire to the brackets. You can choose clear or colored brands to personalize the look of your braces.

At check-up appointments, we will adjust the wires, springs, or rubber bands to ensure there is enough pressure kept on the teeth. You can expect to visit our office about every month or two for adjustments, and to select new colored bands for your brackets.

Life With Braces

Braces do not interrupt your life, but they require small adjustments to your daily routine for successful treatment. Our team will teach you how to keep your braces clean, how to take care of your appliances, and what activities and foods you should avoid.

Foods to Avoid With Braces

• Chewy sweets like caramel, fudge, and toffee
• Crunchy foods like popcorn, nuts, and hard candy
• Chewing gum
• Pizza crust, bagels, and hard bread
• Pretzels and chips
• Reduce sweets, sodas, and foods that increase your risk for cavities

Foods to Enjoy After Getting Braces

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt and smoothies
• Soups
• Scrambled eggs
• Oatmeal
• Seafood
• Soft fruits
• Soft cheese
• Pasta
• Cooked or soft vegetables

After you get used to eating with braces, you can enjoy eating your favorite foods, but use caution to avoid any food that could damage your braces. Cut your food into smaller pieces before eating and avoid biting into anything that could break your appliances, such as apples, carrots, or corn on the cob. Remember that damaging brackets or wires will prolong your treatment time.

You must also put in extra effort to keep your braces clean. Plaque that accumulates around brackets could result in permanent stains (decalcification), and not brushing properly increases the risk of tooth decay.

Types of Braces

In the past, stainless steel metal brackets and wires were the only braces option available. Today, there are several types of braces that patients can choose from. During the first visit, Dr. Astuto will take 3D scans of your teeth, explain your treatment options, and help you select the right type of braces for you.

• Traditional Metal Braces. Traditional brackets are made of metal and are attached to the front of your teeth, connected by a wire. There are sometimes rubber bands or metal ties that connect the brackets to the wire to move teeth with more pressure.
• Ceramic Braces. Instead of metal, ceramic braces are made of a tooth-colored ceramic material. They are less noticeable than metal braces and provide the same results.
• Lingual Braces. Lingual brackets are attached to the backs of your teeth, facing the inside of your mouth. They are much less visible, but can be more difficult to clean.
• Clear Aligners. Sometimes called invisible braces, clear plastic aligners straighten teeth without using brackets or wires. A popular clear aligner treatment is Invisalign^®, which we also offer at Full Smile Orthodontics.

Should I See a Dentist or Orthodontist for Braces?

Many general dentists offer basic alignment options, such as clear aligners, but these treatments are only a portion of a dentist's scope of practice. For orthodontists, straightening teeth and managing bite problems is their primary focus. Orthodontists must complete several additional years of specialized training after dental school, where they learn the complexities of teeth and jaw alignment, and how to manage a variety of orthodontic conditions. When you require orthodontic treatment of any kind, an orthodontist is the expert to see.

Braces in Amarillo, TX

If you or your child needs orthodontic care, you can depend on our team at Full Smile Orthodontics to provide a fun, comfortable orthodontic experience and achieve life-changing results. We keep patients informed throughout the treatment planning process and are always here to answer questions. We offer braces for children and adults at our office in Amarillo, TX, and invite you to contact our office to schedule an appointment with our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Astuto.