Discover how Bell Dental in Lake Jackson, TX, can refine your smile with orthodontic treatments.
Orthodontics is the practice of straightening crooked or misaligned teeth, called malocclusion. Dentists use orthodontic treatments like braces to gradually realign a patient’s teeth or jaw, including their bite. Along with improving the appearance of your smile, orthodontics can:
Braces and other orthodontic devices can treat issues such as:
Bite misalignments such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite can have long-term consequences on your oral health. These bites can cause teeth to grind against each other and damage your enamel, or lead to TMJ disorders by placing undue pressure on the jaws.
A gap between your teeth, especially in the front row, can impact the appearance of your smile. Gaps can also create whistling sounds when you breathe through your mouth or speak. In some cases, gaps may be the result of oral health issues, such as gum disease.
Overcrowded teeth can turn sideways or move into positions that block the tongue from moving freely, which can impact your speech. In some cases, we may need to extract a tooth to make room for your other teeth and properly realign your smile with orthodontics.
We are proud to offer both traditional braces and Invisalign® to our patients in the Lake Jackson, TX, area. Both treatments offer their own unique benefits.
Braces are a series of metal brackets attached to the teeth that are connected by wire. The threaded wire places slight but constant pressure on the teeth in order to slowly realign them. As teeth move into their new positions, the wires must be tightened every several weeks. In some cases, we may recommend elastics, small rubber bands that hook onto brackets to apply extra force for extensive realignments.
An alternative to braces, Invisalign is a clear plastic aligner that fits over the top or bottom rows of your teeth and gradually shifts your teeth into place. Invisalign trays are virtually invisible, blending in with your natural smile. Patients should wear the trays all day and night except when eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth. This treatment lasts an average of 12-18 months, and trays must be swapped out every few weeks.
Dr. Bell and his staff are awesome! They go out of their way to deliver top-notch dental care to their patients. I am very happy with this practice, and recommend it to all in need of a dentist.
Great people period !!! The dental work is the best, would not even consider going anywhere else. The Doctors, Hyginest and staff treat you like family !!! Thanks Kelly and Dr. Bell …. Y’all are the best.
A smile straightened through orthodontics not only boosts your confidence in your appearance, but can benefit your oral health for years to come. With all these advantages, why put off orthodontic treatment any longer?
Dr. Bell has decades of experience treating dental patients in the Lake Jackson, TX, area. From orthodontia to fillings and more, we can help with all your dentistry needs and give you the splendid smile you’ve always wanted.
To get started with an orthodontics consultation, contact us online or call our office at:
The length of orthodontic treatment will vary with the patient, but most last from 1-3 years.
The length of orthodontic treatment will vary with the patient, but most last from 1-3 years.
Dr. Bell will use digital imaging technology to create a precise 3D model of your mouth and examine your oral health. Your doctor will then talk you through the different options and will recommend an orthodontic treatment catered to your dental needs.
After you choose a preferred method of treatment, your doctor will prepare the orthodontic device for your teeth. We either bond metal brackets to your teeth for braces or send digital impressions of your teeth to an Invisalign lab that will craft your personalized aligners.
For patients with traditional braces, every month or so our dentist will need to adjust or tighten the metal wire running through your braces, so that your teeth continue to align. For Invisalign, you will move from one tray to the next every few weeks to gradually shift the position of your teeth.
Once your teeth are moved into the right position, we will remove your braces or instruct you to keep your last set of Invisalign trays. Your teeth may shift or move after treatment, so you’ll either need to wear a retainer or final pair of Invisalign trays to keep your teeth in their new positions.
Taking care of removable retainers (including Invisalign trays) is relatively simple and can be done when you brush your teeth. Bacteria can build up on retainers and other orthodontic devices if you don't keep them clean. Your dentist will provide a complete set of instructions for taking care of your retainer or Invisalign tray, but basic tips include:
Remove your retainer or tray while eating or drinking any beverages besides water. If possible, clean your retainer immediately after removing it for meals.
Keep the retainers away from pets and sources of heat, and don’t place them in napkins during a meal; many patients accidentally throw them away as a result.
You can clean your retainer with water and retainer or denture cleaners or mild dish soap. Do not use toothpaste, as it can damage the retainer.
Don't forget the case! Clean your retainer case daily by scrubbing its surface in warm water with soap before rinsing and drying it off.
We want to make the path to straighter, healthier teeth an easy one. That’s why our Lake Jackson, TX, practice offers several financing options to make our treatments affordable. Our friendly staff can answer any financing questions and help you find out how much your insurance will cover. Call our office at (281) 306-5267 to learn more.
While coverage depends on your specific plan, many insurances cover at least part of the cost of orthodontic treatments.
CareCredit® offers dedicated payment plans for healthcare services, including orthodontics.
We accept major credit and debit cards such as MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover Network®.
I have always been extremely happy with the care I receive at Dr Bell’s office. I would highly recommend Dr Bell and Dr Crocker. The staff from the front desk to the dental assistants and dental hygienist are respectful, kind and caring. They all do an outstanding job.
It was a great experience. I have never liked going to the dentist because my teeth are not the best. From the time I walked through the door Nicole was making me feel at home and welcomed. Jessica was absolutely awesome and made me feel at ease. Dr Crocker was really down to earth. I think I’m gonna really like this place!
Ready to learn more about orthodontics at our Lake Jackson practice? Send us a message or call (979) 297-1201 today.
