MedicineNet

Dental Braces Center - Charleston, WV

WebMD Physician Directory

Charleston, West Virginia

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-02
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Minden
Throughout Minden, West Virginia
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - West Virginia
Throughout West Virginia, West Virginia
2012-07-28
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Minden
Throughout Minden, West Virginia
2012-11-11
WORLD RUN DAY 2012 VIRTUAL RUN: E-BIB Only
Every City on Earth, Army Asia
2012-11-11
9th Annual Marshall University Marathon
Huntington, West Virginia
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - West Virginia
Throughout West Virginia, West Virginia
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Charleston
Throughout Charleston, West Virginia

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

Toothache »

What is a toothache?

"Toothache" usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws primarily as a result of a dental condition. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease. However, disorders of the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint) can also cause pain that is referred to as "toothache." The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. The pain may be aggravated by chewing or by cold or heat. A thorough oral examination, which includes dental X-rays, can help determine whether the toothache is coming from a tooth or jaw problem and the cause.

Sometimes, a toothache may be caused by a problem not originating from a tooth or the jaw. Pain around the teeth and the jaws can be symptoms of diseases of the heart (such as angina or heart attack), ears (such as inner or external ear infections), and sinuses (air passages of the cheekb...

Emergency Contact for Charleston

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Charleston Hospitals *

Saint Francis Hospital
333 Laidley St
Charleston, WV 25301
(304)347-6500

Select Specialty Hospital
333 Laidley St
Charleston, WV 25301
(304)720-7234

CAMC Women & Children's Hospital
800 Pennsylvania Ave
Charleston, WV 25302
(304)388-5432

Eye & Ear Clinic of Charleston
1306 Kanawha Blvd E
Charleston, WV 25301
(304)343-4371

CAMC General Hospital
501 Morris St
Charleston, WV 25301
(304)388-5432

CAMC Memorial Hospital
3200 MacCorkle Ave SE
Charleston, WV 25304
(304)388-5432

Highland Hospital
300 56th St SE
Charleston, WV 25304
(304)926-1600

Thomas Memorial Hospital
4605 MacCorkle Ave SW
South Charleston, WV 25309
(304)766-3600

CAMC Teays Valley Hospital
1400 Hospital Dr
Hurricane, WV 25526
(304)757-1700

Montgomery General Hospital
401 6th Ave
Montgomery, WV 25136
(304)442-5151

Boone Memorial Hospital
701 Madison Ave
Madison, WV 25130
(304)369-1230

Jackson General Hospital
122 Pinnell St
Ripley, WV 25271
(304)372-2731

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.