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Dental Braces Center - Tacoma, WA

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Tacoma, Washington

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Tacoma Hospitals *

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health Center
317 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253)403-1400

St Joseph Medical Center
1717 South J St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253)426-4101

Tacoma General Hospital
315 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253)403-1000

Pierce County Human Services
3580 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98418
(253)798-4500

Allenmore Hospital
1901 S Union Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253)459-6633

St Francis Hospital
34515 Ninth Ave S
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253)944-8100

Saint Clare Hospital
11315 Bridgeport Way SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
(253)588-1711

Good Samaritan Hospital & Community Healthcare
407 14th Ave SE
Puyallup, WA 98372
(253)848-6661

Auburn Regional Medical Center
202 N Division St
Auburn, WA 98001
(253)833-7711

Highline Medical Center Main Campus
16251 Sylvester Rd SW
Burien, WA 98166
(206)244-9970

Valley Medical Center
400 S 43rd St
Renton, WA 98055
(425)228-3450

Schick Shadel Hospital
12101 Ambaum Blvd
Seattle, WA 98146
(206)244-8100

Highline Medical Center Specialty Campus
12844 Military Rd S
Tukwila, WA 98168
(206)244-0180

The Regional Hospital for Respiratory & Complex Care
12844 Military Rd S
Seattle, WA 98168
(206)248-4548

West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital
2600 SW Holden St
Seattle, WA 98126
(206)933-7199

Enumclaw Regional Hospital
1450 Battersby Ave
Enumclaw, WA 98022
(360)825-2505

VA Puget Sound Health Care System
1660 S Columbian Way
Seattle, WA 98108
(206)762-1010

Providence St Peter Hospital
413 Lilly Rd NE
Olympia, WA 98506
(360)491-9480

Harrison Medical Center
2520 Cherry Ave
Bremerton, WA 98310
(360)377-3911

Harborview Medical Center
325 Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
(744)731-3000

Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill Campus
500 17th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
(206)320-2000

Swedish Medical Center First Hill Campus
747 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
(206)386-6000

Virginia Mason Medical Center
1100 9th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206)223-6600

Group Health Central Hospital
201 16th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112
(206)326-3000

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
825 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle, WA 98109
(206)288-1400

Overlake Hospital Medical Center
1035 116th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425)688-5000

University of Washington Medical Center
1959 NE Pacific St
Seattle, WA 98195
(206)598-6555

Capital Medical Center
3900 Capital Mall Dr SW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360)754-5858

Swedish Medical Center Ballard Campus
5300 Tallman Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206)782-2700

Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center
4800 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206)987-2000

Group Health Eastside Hospital
2700 152nd Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052
(425)883-5151

Kindred Hospital Seattle
10631 8th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125
(206)364-2050

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center
1550 N 115th St
Seattle, WA 98133
(206)364-0500

Fairfax Hospital
10200 NE 132nd St
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425)821-2000

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
12040 NE 128th St
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425)899-1000

Mason General Hospital
901 Mt View Dr
Shelton, WA 98584
(360)426-1611

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