Braces in Redwood City, CA

A beautiful smile is something that you may have always desired for. Minor teeth errors such as crowding and gaps between teeth are show spoiler since they can make a smile less attractive. Orthodontics is a branch of dental medicine that is dedicated to correcting teeth misalignments and to improve the bite. A dental braces treatment in Redwood City can move your teeth in the correct direction to bring better alignment. There are a number of appliances used in dentistry for the purpose of correcting teeth positions. Dental braces, aligners and retainers are to name a few. A dental consultation can help you understand the need for orthodontic treatment and its benefits.

Braces and Oral Health

The teeth in the upper jaw and lower jaw come together in a bite. If there are errors in position of teeth, the condition is called a malocclusion or a bad bite. This condition can lead to tooth wear because of imbalance in bite forces. Since with misalignment some portions of teeth are inaccessible, it may become difficult to maintain oral hygiene. This increases the chances of dental infection. The smile is less attractive when teeth are not straight. With more complex teeth or jaw errors, there can be headache and neck ache.

Braces treatment does not require tooth structure to be removed. Appliances like dental braces can be used to treat complex misalignment cases. Though more time consuming as compared to esthetic veneers, following the instructions of the dentist can help patients get a beautiful smile which is more long-lasting. One of the aims of the dental braces treatment in Redwood City is to enhance the oral health of patients. Considering all the above points, the time is worth investing in an braces treatment when patients have severely misaligned teeth.

Dental Braces Treatment Process

Moving misaligned teeth requires a well-set treatment plan, a device which brings about the planned movement and a device which keeps the teeth in their new positions. The first step is a thorough evaluation of the condition. Dentists recommend a treatment mode after the examination.

Dental Examination

During the initial dental visit, our dentist in Redwood City checks teeth and gums. X-rays and impressions may be taken during the process. The impressions help our dentist understand the positions of teeth and the movement required to improve the alignment. A treatment plan is set and explained to patients.

Dental Braces

Dental braces are devices which comprise of brackets and wires. The wires run through the brackets and they are in tension mode. The device is designed to apply pressure over teeth and bring about the desired movement. Patients have to visit the dental office periodically to get the wires tightened after each phase of treatment.

Do Braces Hurt?

This is one of the common questions asked by patients. Though the patients do not feel pain when fixing the braces over teeth, some discomfort and pain can be experienced during the first few days. This is due to the pressure applied by the wires over teeth, in order to move them. Once the teeth start to move, the discomfort reduces. Slight discomfort can be experienced every time the wires are tightened by the dentist.

Braces for Children

Dentist generally recommend that a child visit dental office to check the bite by the time he/she is 6-10 years of age. This is the age when the permanent teeth start to erupt. Any problems with alignment can be noted and treatment planning can begin at an early stage. There are a number of different types of dental braces available in Redwood City for treating orthodontic problems in children. Treating orthodontic problem at an early stage can relieve children from the embarrassment of having an uninteresting smile as they grow up to become teens.

Braces for Adults

Dental braces can be recommended for straightening teeth in adults, depending on the status of oral health and jawbone. The braces move teeth gradually through the application of pressure. The supporting bone health may considerably influence the treatment and results. Dentists can perform the thorough oral check and let patients know if braces can straighten their teeth.

Dental Retainer

A dental retainer is an appliance that is used to ensure that the teeth do not move from their positions. The appliance is recommended by dentists after braces treatment. The retainers help in holding the teeth in their new positions after treatment with braces in Redwood City. Patients may have to wear retainers for a few months after the treatment.

Invisalign

A general dentist uses braces for alignments, but today instead of braces, many dentists choose to go with Invisalign in Redwood City. They are invisible and do not require metal wires and brackets, and are removable. It works on rectifying the alignment of misaligned teeth. Patients are advised to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day and have them changed every two weeks based on the improvement of their treatment.

Let us welcome you into our practice! Feel free to contact our Braces in Redwood City, CA and see yourself why Prima Dental has been considered by many to be the finest in the entire Redwood City, CA. Call us at 650-365-1400.