If you are putting off corrective dental treatment because you are afraid of having metal in your mouth, you might want to consider the alternative of cosmetic orthodontics. 

This new cosmetic dentistry science replaces the tension, discomfort, and obtrusive presence of metal braces with something much more discreet and comfortable.  New materials and dental science techniques allow us to now duplicate the same results as banded orthodontic treatment in less time, and often for less money, than metal brackets and wires produced.

One reason for this is the types of material that are used in cosmetic orthodontics.  Some invisible braces rely upon the same basic bracket-wire combination as their metal equivalents, only these brackets are now made from plastic and the wires are made from ceramics that mimic the color of teeth.  The brackets are smaller and do not cause the typical pain when they are adjusted.

The most cost effective and short-term treatment option is the Six Month Smiles.  Designed to correct minor to moderate cases of misalignment and crowded teeth, these low-profile invisible brackets and tooth-colored wires are very discreet and comfortable to wear.  They are also the most affordable form of cosmetic orthodontics for people on a limited budget.  True to their name, they only take six months to get the job done.  They also take less time to adjust than metal braces because they are come with a special patient tray kit that makes fine tuning fast and painless.  This is an added time saver for the busy schedules of professionals and students.  Dental hygiene is also much easier due to the smaller size of the brackets.

Another form of cosmetic orthodontics departs altogether from the brackets and wires of yesteryear.  This new technology is based upon the design of a mouthpiece that fits over your upper or lower dental arch.  However, it is much more sophisticated than a simple mouthpiece.  Beneath its deceptively simple form is a world of technological breakthroughs that allow for a level of precision in dental corrective treatment never possible until now.

Thanks are due here to computer technology that is used in both the design and the application of this revolutionary approach to cosmetic orthodontics.  Known as Invisalign, these clear aligners are made from soft, high-grade medical plastic are intended to fit snugly over your teeth and never irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. 

These aligners are custom made just for you using a very special process.  First, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth and uses them to make 3D models of your upper and lower jaws.  A computer simulation is then run using these models as frames of reference.  The computer finds all the problems with your mouth and maps out a step-by-step plan of action for your own personal treatment program. 

Each step in treatment takes shape in the form of a new set of aligners that you are supposed to wear for at least 22 hours each day.  Of course, these aligners are removable, so you can take them out when you eat, and you can also brush and floss your teeth without the encumbrance of brackets and wires.

Invisalign aligners are completely invisible, so it is highly unlikely anyone will every notice you are wearing them.  They do not interfere with sleep or speech, so you can wear them all day and all night as each stage of its treatment does its work.

Invisalign is one of the more expensive forms of cosmetic orthodontics, but it is often what is required for more progressed cases of maladjustment, bite problems, and visibly crooked teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont Midland and Houston, Texas to see Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth OSullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic denistry services. 

For any other questions related to cosmetic dentistry, you can Contact Us at 713.795.5905, visit our Dental Blog or Ask the Dentist