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Dental Braces Center - Lafayette, LA

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Lafayette, Louisiana

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Lafayette Hospitals *

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center
611 St Landry St
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337)289-2000

Park Place Surgery Hospital
901 Wilson St
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)237-8119

Lafayette General Medical Center
1214 Coolidge Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)289-7991

Louisiana Extended Care Hospital Lafayette
1214 Coolidge Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)289-8180

University Medical Center Lafayette
2390 W Congress St
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337)261-6000

Community Specialty Hospital Lafayette
408 SE Evangeline Trwy
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337)234-4031

Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital
204 Energy Pkwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)232-1905

Heart Hospital of Lafayette
1105 Kaliste Saloom Rd
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)521-1000

Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital
1101 Kaliste Saloom Rd
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)769-4100

Acadia Vermilion Hospital
2520 N University Ave
Lafayette, LA 70507
(337)234-5614

Southwest Medical Center
2810 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337)981-2949

LTAC of Acadiana
310 Youngsville Hwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)839-9880

Southpark Community Hospital
314 Youngsville Hwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)769-4080

Womens & Children's Hospital
4600 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)521-9100

St Martin Hospital
210 Champagne Blvd
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
(337)332-2178

Acadia St Landry Hospital
810 S Broadway St
Church Point, LA 70525
(337)684-5435

Doctors Hospital of Opelousas
3983 I-49 S Service Rd
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337)948-2100

American Legion Hospital
1305 Crowley Rayne Hwy
Crowley, LA 70526
(337)783-3222

Dauterive Hospital
600 N Lewis St
New Iberia, LA 70563
(337)365-7311

Crowley Rehabilitation Hospital
713 N Avenue L
Crowley, LA 70526
(337)783-2859

Iberia Medical Center
2315 E Main St
New Iberia, LA 70560
(337)364-0441

Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital
1310 W 7th St
Kaplan, LA 70548
(337)643-8300

Opelousas General Health System
539 E Prudhomme St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337)948-3011

St Landry Extended Care Hospital
539 E Prudhomme Ln
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337)948-5184

Acadian Medical Center
3501 US Highway 190
Eunice, LA 70535
(337)580-7500

Abbeville General Hospital
118 N Hospital Dr
Abbeville, LA 70510
(337)893-5466

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