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Dental Braces Center - Santa Rosa, CA

WebMD Physician Directory

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Santa Rosa Hospitals *

Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Main Campus
1165 Montgomery Dr
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707)546-3210

Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa Chanate Campus
3325 Chanate Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707)576-4000

Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center
401 Bicentennial Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707)571-4000

Palm Drive Hospital
501 Petaluma Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707)823-8511

Petaluma Valley Hospital
400 N McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94954
(707)778-1111

St Helena Hospital
10 Woodland Rd
Saint Helena, CA 94574
(707)963-3611

Healdsburg District Hospital
1375 University St
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707)431-6500

Sonoma Valley Hospital
347 Andrieux St
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707)935-5000

Queen of the Valley Medical Center
1000 Trancas St
Napa, CA 94558
(707)252-4411

Novato Community Hospital
180 Rowland Way
Novato, CA 94945
(415)209-1300

Napa State Hospital
2100 Napa Vallejo Hwy
Napa, CA 94558
(707)253-5000

Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center
99 Montecillo Rd
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415)444-2000

Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center
975 Sereno Dr
Vallejo, CA 94589
(707)651-1000

Sutter Solano Medical Center
300 Hospital Dr
Vallejo, CA 94589
(707)554-4444

St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health
525 Oregon St
Vallejo, CA 94590
(707)648-2200

Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital
1125 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Kentfield, CA 94904
(415)456-9680

St Helena Hospital Clearlake
15630 18th Ave
Clearlake, CA 95422
(707)994-6486

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