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Dental Braces Center - El Cajon, CA

WebMD Physician Directory

El Cajon, California

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

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 El Cajon

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby El Cajon Hospitals *

Sharp Grossmont Hospital
5555 Grossmont Center Dr
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619)740-6000

Alvarado Hospital
6655 Alvarado Rd
San Diego, CA 92120
(619)287-3270

San Diego Rehabilitation Institute
6645 Alvarado Rd
San Diego, CA 92120
(619)287-3270

Promise Hospital of San Diego
5550 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
(619)582-3800

Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center
4647 Zion Ave
San Diego, CA 92120
(619)528-5000

Paradise Valley Hospital
2400 E Fourth St
National City, CA 91950
(619)470-4321

Kindred Hospital San Diego
1940 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
(619)543-4500

Rady Children's Hospital San Diego
3020 Children's Way
San Diego, CA 92123
(858)576-1700

Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
3003 Health Center Dr
San Diego, CA 92123
(858)939-3400

Sharp Memorial Hospital
7901 Frost St
San Diego, CA 92123
(858)939-3400

Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital
7850 Vista Hill Ave
San Diego, CA 92123
(858)278-4110

Naval Medical Center San Diego
34800 Bob Wilson Dr
San Diego, CA 92134
(619)532-6400

San Diego Hospice
4311 Third Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
(619)688-1600

Scripps Mercy Hospital
4077 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
(619)294-8111

Vibra Hospital of San Diego
555 Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103
(619)260-8300

UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest
200 W Arbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92103
(619)543-6222

Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
751 Medical Center Ct
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619)502-5800

Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista
435 H St
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619)691-7000

Bayview Behavioral Health Campus
330 Moss St
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619)426-6310

Sharp Coronado Hospital
250 Prospect Pl
Coronado, CA 92118
(619)522-3600

San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital
3851 Rosecrans St
San Diego, CA 92110
(619)692-8200

VA San Diego Health Care System
3350 La Jolla Village Dr
San Diego, CA 92161
(858)552-8585

Pomerado Hospital
15615 Pomerado Rd
Poway, CA 92064
(858)613-4000

Aurora Behavioral Healthcare
11878 Avenue of Industry
San Diego, CA 92128
(858)487-3200

UCSD Thornton Hospital
9300 Campus Point Dr
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858)657-7000

Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
9888 Genesee Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858)626-4123

La Jolla Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
2552 Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858)453-5810

Scripps Green Hospital
10666 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858)455-9100

Palomar Medical Center
555 E Valley Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92025
(760)739-3000

Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation
900 Santa Fe Dr
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760)753-6423

Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
354 Santa Fe Dr
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760)633-6501

Tri-City Medical Center
4002 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92056
(760)724-8411

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