Texas Family Orthodontics is your San Antonio braces expert
Braces are one of the most effective tools we have for correcting crowding, gaps and jaw alignment, and we fit them for patients of all ages across the San Antonio area. We offer traditional metal braces, lingual braces, and clear or ceramic braces, so there's an option that fits your case and how visible you want treatment to be. We're here to help you decide which one is right for your orthodontic needs.
We treat kids, teens and adults. Early treatment can guide jaw growth while a child still has baby teeth, teenagers make up the largest group we see, and plenty of adults come in years after they first thought about straightening their teeth. Age isn't the deciding factor. The condition of your teeth and gums is.
How braces treatment works
Our team will collect digital x-rays, photos, and a model of your mouth to formulate a custom treatment plan for your unique needs. That plan determines how your brackets are placed, including the movements each tooth needs to make in order to achieve optimal positioning.
A wire is inserted after we put your brackets on your teeth to provide customized pressure on all the teeth that need to be moved. Through a process called remodeling, bends in the wire will encourage specific and precise movements of the teeth. This process involves minor changes in the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. This creates negative pressure on one side of the tooth, where bone will be removed. The bone is reformed on the other side of the tooth. This pressure and bone remodeling slowly moves teeth into the correct position.
Remodeling can only occur if constant pressure is put on a tooth. The best way to help prevent this natural drifting and keep teeth in their new and improved positions is by using a retainer regularly.
Types of braces we offer
All of our treatment options can correct a variety of simple and complex oral issues. Traditional metal braces often work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might, which can shorten your overall treatment time. The strength, durability and long track record of traditional braces are a big part of why they've withstood the test of time and are still the top orthodontic treatment year after year.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces in San Antonio, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene, as ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth rather than on lower teeth.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed behind your teeth. Aesthetically these braces are more similar to Invisalign or clear aligners. Lingual braces can fix complex orthodontic issues. These are a great option if you don't love the look of braces but you want your dream smile.
Why families choose our practice
At Texas Family Orthodontics, we believe that advanced, personalized care leads to the best results and most positive orthodontic experience. Dr. Vo and the rest of our skilled team focus on patients as individuals, no matter the age, personal concerns, or clinical needs. Your doctor will create a treatment plan that works with all parts of your life when you choose braces treatment with our practice. Using our leading-edge techniques and state-of-the-art technology, we will provide efficient, comfortable care that will help you change both your smile and your life!
Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started!
Braces San Antonio TX FAQ: Affordable Braces Answers From Texas Family Orthodontics
Braces FAQs
Do you offer braces in San Antonio for kids, teens and adults?
Yes, all three, at both of our San Antonio offices. Children are usually evaluated around age seven so we can catch jaw and spacing problems early. Braces for teens make up the largest share of what we do. Orthodontic treatment for adults is growing quickly too, and it works just as well later in life as it does at fifteen.
What types of braces do you offer?
Three. Traditional metal braces, which are the strongest and most versatile option. Ceramic or clear braces, which use tooth-colored brackets that blend in against your teeth. And lingual braces, which attach behind your teeth where nobody sees them. Dr. Vo walks you through which ones suit your case at your consultation.
How long does braces treatment take?
It depends on how far your teeth have to move. Most comprehensive cases run somewhere between one and two years. Simple corrections can finish sooner and complicated bite problems can take longer. Dr. Vo gives you a realistic timeline at your first visit, before you commit to anything.
Do braces hurt?
Getting them put on doesn't hurt, and neither do most adjustments. What you will feel is soreness for a few days afterward as your teeth begin to shift. Soft foods and an over the counter pain reliever handle it for most people, and the soreness fades as you get used to the wire.
Which braces are the least noticeable?
Lingual braces, since they sit on the back of your teeth and stay hidden from the front entirely. Ceramic braces are next, with clear or tooth-colored brackets that are much harder to spot in photos and across a room than metal. Both handle most of the same cases metal braces do, and Dr. Vo will tell you if your bite calls for something else.
How often will I come in for adjustments?
Most patients visit every four to eight weeks while they're in braces. The appointments are short. We check your progress, change the wire and make small adjustments that keep your teeth moving on schedule. If a bracket comes loose between visits, call us and we'll fit you in.
Will I need a retainer after my braces come off?
Yes, and it isn't optional. Teeth drift back toward where they started if nothing holds them in place, sometimes within months. Our Retainer Club keeps replacements and ongoing retainer care simple, so a lost or broken retainer never costs you the result you spent two years earning.
What happens at a free braces consultation?
You meet Dr. Vo, we take digital x-rays and photos, and you leave knowing what your teeth need and which treatment options are open to you. The consultation is free and there's no obligation. If you decide to move forward, our team walks you through insurance and financing before anything gets scheduled.