Braces in Childress, TX

Braces are orthodontic devices that move teeth into their proper positions, correct bite misalignment, and help you feel more confident about your smile. At Full Smile Orthodontics, many children, teens, and adults wear braces and experience a surge of self-confidence after they achieve a beautifully straight and healthy smile. Our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Steve Astuto, understands the unique needs of every patient and will create a custom treatment plan for you or your child. To begin your orthodontic journey in Childress, TX, contact our practice to schedule a consultation.

How Do Braces Work?

Dental braces consist of brackets and wires that put pressure on teeth to move them. As we tighten the wire throughout treatment, teeth are forced to move to adjust. Over time, this gradual pressure aligns the teeth, creating a beautifully healthy and symmetrical smile when braces come off.

Many orthodontic issues can be corrected with braces, including:

• Crowding
• Crooked teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Gap teeth
• Misaligned jaw
• Difficulty chewing or speaking

After we put your braces on, you can expect to visit our office for follow-up appointments about every 4–8 weeks. At these visits, we will tighten the arch wire and ensure your braces are functioning properly and feel comfortable.

Life With Braces

Braces require some slight adjustments to your diet in order to protect them from damage. Here are examples of some foods you should stay away from and foods that are safe for braces.

Foods to Avoid With Braces

• Caramel, fudge, toffee, and chewy candy
• Popcorn, nuts, and hard candy
• Chewing gum
• Pizza crust, bagels, and hard bread
• Pretzels and chips
• Reduce your intake of sweets, sodas, and sugary 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

As you become comfortable wearing your braces, you can enjoy many types of foods, as long as they do not risk damaging your braces. Cut food into smaller pieces and avoid biting directly into apples, carrots, corn on the cob, or other hard fruits and vegetables. You must also take special care to keep your braces clean. Brush and floss between teeth and around brackets to avoid decalcification, or permanent stains, and protect against tooth decay.

Types of Braces

We offer many types of braces to fit your orthodontic needs and preferences. Dr. Astuto will take 3D scans of your mouth, explain your treatment options, and determine the right type of braces for your needs.

• Traditional Metal Braces. Traditional brackets are made of stainless steel and bonded to the front of your teeth. Some patients require additional pieces, like rubber bands or metal ties, to apply pressure to certain teeth and align the jaws.
• Ceramic Braces. Ceramic braces are made of a tooth-colored ceramic material instead of metal and are less noticeable because they blend in more naturally with the color of your teeth.
• Lingual Braces. Lingual braces are metal but are bonded to the backs of your teeth instead of the front, facing your tongue. They are significantly less noticeable, but it can be difficult to maintain good oral hygiene because they are harder to see and clean.
• Clear Aligners. Clear plastic aligners, like Invisalign^®, straighten teeth using custom-made trays. The aligners are removable, giving you the freedom to eat the foods you want and maintain good oral health without having to work with brackets or wires.

Should I See a Dentist or Orthodontist for Braces?

Orthodontists are experts at aligning teeth and correcting bite problems. They complete several additional years of training after dental school, where they learn about teeth and jaw development and how to manage misalignment with orthodontic appliances. Some general dentists offer basic alignment treatments, like clear aligners, but their primary focus is on achieving and maintaining oral health. Orthodontists, on the other hand, focus solely on the alignment of teeth and are the dental experts to see when it comes to straightening teeth and managing a bad bite.

Braces in Childress, TX

Full Smile Dental proudly offers braces to children, teens, and adults in the Texas Panhandle. We take the time to get to know our patients beyond their orthodontic needs and make appointments fun and enjoyable. If it’s time for you or your child to start wearing braces, we invite you to contact us in Childress, TX, to schedule a consultation with our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Steve Astuto.