MedicineNet

Dental Braces Center - Tucson, AZ

WebMD Physician Directory

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States, located 118 miles (188 km) southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles (98 km) north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The English name Tucson derives from the Spanish name of the city, Tucson, which was borrowed from the O'odham name Cuk Son, meaning "(at the) base of the black [hill]", a reference to an adjacent volcanic mountain. Tucson is sometimes referred to as "The Old Pueblo".
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson)

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-01
2012-06-09
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Tucson
Throughout Tucson, Arizona
2012-07-01
2012-07-01
2012-10-06
terrain mud run, tucson
Tucson, Arizona
2012-11-10

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  • Traditional bands: These are the generally outdated "full metal-mouth" look, which consists of the use of metal brackets soldered to metal bands that wrap around each tooth.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

  • In case of Emergency, call 911
  • Police (520) 791-4444
  • Fire (520) 791-4512

Nearby Tucson Hospitals *

Carondelet St Mary's Hospital
1601 W St Mary's Rd
Tucson, AZ 85745
(520)872-3000

University Medical Center
1501 N Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ 85724
(520)694-0111

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
3601 S 6th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85723
(520)792-1450

University Physicians Healthcare Hospital at Kino
2800 E Ajo Way
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520)874-2000

Tucson Heart Hospital
4888 N Stone Ave
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520)696-2328

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Institute of Tucson
2650 N Wyatt Dr
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)325-1300

Tucson Medical Center
5301 E Grant Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)327-5461

Palo Verde Mental Health Services
2695 N Craycroft Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)324-4340

Carondelet St Joseph's Hospital
350 N Wilmot Rd
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520)873-3000

Kindred Hospital Tucson
355 N Wilmot Rd
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520)584-4500

Northwest Medical Center
6200 N La Cholla Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520)742-9000

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern Arizona
1921 W Hospital Dr
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520)742-2800

Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital
6050 N Corona Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520)469-8700

Cornerstone Hospital of Southeast Arizona
7220 E Rosewood St
Tucson, AZ 85710
(520)546-4595

Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley
1551 E Tangerine Rd
Oro Valley, AZ 85755
(520)901-3500

Sierra Tucson
39580 S Lago Del Oro Pkwy
Tucson, AZ 85739
(800)842-4487

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.