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Dental Braces Center - Allentown, PA

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Allentown, Pennsylvania

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Braces and Retainers

What Types of Braces Are Available?

If braces are indeed the solution for you, your orthodontist will prescribe an appliance specific for your needs. The braces may consist of bands, wires, and other fixed or removable corrective appliances.

Generally, there are three types of braces:

  • Brackets: Made of stainless steel or clear or tooth-colored ceramic or plastic, brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth. Ceramic or plastic brackets are often selected for cosmetic reasons. Plastic brackets, however, may become stained and discolored by the end of treatment. Another disadvantage of ceramic or plastic brackets is that they cause more friction between the wire and brackets, which can increase treatment time.
  • Lingual-type brackets: These are brackets that attach to the back of teeth, hiding the bracket from view.
  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.

Newer "mini-braces," which are much smaller than traditional braces, may be an option for some. Your orthodontist will discuss the various types of available braces with you and determine which might be the best option for you.

How Do Braces Work?

In their entirety, braces work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. As the teeth move, the bony tooth socket reabsorbs and changes shape as pressure is applied.

Braces are made up of the following components:

  • Brackets are the small squares that are bonded directly to each tooth with a special dental bonding agent or are attached to orthodontic bands. Brackets act like handles, holding the arch wires that...

Recommended Reading Related to Braces and Retainers

Caring for Teeth With Braces or Retainers »

Special Brushing & Flossing Instructions

To floss your teeth, feed the short end of the floss through the space between the main arch wire and the upper portion of the tooth closest to the gum. Use a gentle sawing motion to work the floss on each side of the two teeth the floss is between. Be careful not to pull with too much force around the arch wire. Begin brushing your teeth by using a regular soft toothbrush. Brush down from the top and then up from the bottom on each tooth with braces. Next, brush your teeth with a proxabrush or "Christmas tree" brush. This brush is specially designed for cleaning between two braces. Insert the brush down from the top and then up from the bottom between two braces. Use several strokes in each direction before moving on to the next space between two braces. Repeat the procedure until all teeth have been cleaned.

Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

Most of the foods you like can still...

Emergency Contact for Allentown

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Allentown Hospitals *

Lehigh Valley Hospital 17th & Chew Streets
17th & Chew Sts
Allentown, PA 18105
(610)402-8000

Sacred Heart Hospital
421 Chew St
Allentown, PA 18102
(610)776-4500

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Allentown
850 S 5th St
Allentown, PA 18103
(610)776-3120

St Luke's Hospital Allentown Campus
1736 Hamilton St
Allentown, PA 18104
(610)770-8300

Allentown State Hospital
1600 Hanover Ave
Allentown, PA 18109
(610)740-3200

Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest
Cedar Crest & I-78
Allentown, PA 18105
(610)402-8000

St Luke's Hospital Bethlehem Campus
801 Ostrum St
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610)954-4000

Westfield Hospital
510 Delaware Ave
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610)866-6614

Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg Center
2545 Schoenersville Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610)402-8000

Good Shepherd Home Bethlehem
2855 Schoenersville Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610)807-5600

KidsPeace Children's Hospital
5300 Kids Peace Dr
Orefield, PA 18069
(610)799-8800

St Luke's Quakertown Hospital
1021 Park Ave
Quakertown, PA 18951
(215)538-4500

Easton Hospital
250 S 21st St
Easton, PA 18042
(610)250-4000

Triumph Hospital Easton
250 S 21st St
Easton, PA 18042
(610)250-4724

Blue Mountain Health System Palmerton Campus
135 Lafayette Ave
Palmerton, PA 18071
(610)826-3141

Warren Hospital
185 Roseberry St
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
(908)859-6700

Grand View Hospital
700 Lawn Ave
Sellersville, PA 18960
(215)453-4000

Blue Mountain Health System Gnaden Huetten Campus
211 N 12th St
Lehighton, PA 18235
(610)377-1300

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
1600 E High St
Pottstown, PA 19464
(610)327-7000

Central Montgomery Medical Center
100 Medical Campus Dr
Lansdale, PA 19446
(215)368-2100

Foundations Behavioral Health
833 E Butler Ave
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215)345-0444

Doylestown Hospital
595 W State St
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215)345-2200

St Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital
360 W Ruddle St
Coaldale, PA 18218
(570)645-2131

Senator Garret W Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital
200 Sanitorium Rd
Glen Gardner, NJ 08826
(908)537-2141

St Joseph Medical Center
2500 Bernville Rd
Reading, PA 19605
(610)378-2000

Eagleville Hospital
100 Eagleville Rd
Eagleville, PA 19408
(610)539-6000

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital at Pocono Medical Center
206 E Brown St
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570)476-3410

Pocono Medical Center
206 E Brown St
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570)421-4000

The Reading Hospital & Medical Center
6th Ave & Spruce St
Reading, PA 19612
(610)988-8000

Valley Forge Medical Center & Hospital
1033 W Germantown Pike
Norristown, PA 19403
(610)539-8500

HEALTHSOUTH Reading Rehabilitation Hospital
1623 Morgantown Rd
Reading, PA 19607
(610)796-6000

Hunterdon Medical Center
2100 Wescott Dr
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908)788-6100

Montgomery County Emergency Service
50 Beech Dr
Norristown, PA 19403
(610)279-6100

Mercy Suburban Hospital
2701 DeKalb Pike
Norristown, PA 19401
(610)278-2000

Phoenixville Hospital
140 Nutt Rd
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610)983-1000

Norristown State Hospital
1001 Sterigere St
Norristown, PA 19401
(610)270-1000

Horsham Clinic
722 E Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002
(215)643-7800

Montgomery Hospital
1301 Powell St
Norristown, PA 19401
(610)270-2000

Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital
7170 Lafayette Ave
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(215)641-5300

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