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Dental Braces Center - New Bedford, MA

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New Bedford, Massachusetts

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby New Bedford Hospitals *

St Luke's Hospital
101 Page St
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508)997-1515

New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital
4499 Acushnet Ave
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508)995-6900

Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Ave
Fall River, MA 02720
(508)679-3131

Saint Anne's Hospital
795 Middle St
Fall River, MA 02721
(508)674-5600

Tobey Hospital
43 High St
Wareham, MA 02571
(508)295-0880

Falmouth Hospital
100 Ter Heun Dr
Falmouth, MA 02540
(508)548-5300

Morton Hospital & Medical Center
88 Washington St
Taunton, MA 02780
(508)828-7000

Taunton State Hospital
60 Hodges Ave
Taunton, MA 02780
(508)977-3000

Newport Hospital
11 Friendship St
Newport, RI 02840
(401)846-6400

Martha's Vineyard Hospital
1 Hospital Rd
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
(508)693-0410

Bradley Hospital
1011 Veterans Memorial Pkwy
Riverside, RI 02915
(401)432-1000

Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape & Islands
311 Service Rd
East Sandwich, MA 02537
(508)833-4000

Jordan Hospital
275 Sandwich St
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508)746-2000

Hasbro Children's Hospital
593 Eddy St
Providence, RI 02903
(401)444-4000

Rhode Island Hospital
593 Eddy St
Providence, RI 02903
(401)444-4000

Sturdy Memorial Hospital
211 Park St
Attleboro, MA 02703
(508)222-5200

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
101 Dudley St
Providence, RI 02905
(401)274-1100

Butler Hospital
345 Blackstone Blvd
Providence, RI 02906
(401)455-6200

Kent Hospital
455 Tollgate Rd
Warwick, RI 02886
(401)737-7000

Southern New England Rehabilitation Center
21 Peace St
Providence, RI 02907
(401)456-3000

St Joseph Health Services
21 Peace St
Providence, RI 02907
(401)456-3000

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island
111 Brewster St
Pawtucket, RI 02860
(401)729-2000

The Miriam Hospital
164 Summit Ave
Providence, RI 02906
(401)793-2500

Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center
111 Howard Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
(401)462-3085

Providence VA Medical Center
830 Chalkstone Ave
Providence, RI 02908
(401)273-7100

Roger Williams Medical Center
825 Chalkstone Ave
Providence, RI 02908
(401)456-2000

Arbour-Fuller Hospital
200 May St
South Attleboro, MA 02703
(508)761-8500

Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton
940 Belmont St
Brockton, MA 02301
(508)583-4500

Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
200 High Service Ave
North Providence, RI 02904
(401)456-3000

Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital
680 Centre St
Brockton, MA 02302
(508)941-7000

Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center
235 N Pearl St
Brockton, MA 02301
(508)427-3000

South County Hospital
100 Kenyon Ave
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401)782-8000

Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton
909 Sumner St
Stoughton, MA 02072
(781)297-8411

Pembroke Hospital
199 Oak St
Pembroke, MA 02359
(781)826-8161

Cape Cod Hospital
27 Park St
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508)771-1800

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