Both orthodontists and dentists are responsible for keeping your teeth healthy and beautiful. But sometimes it can be confusing to know the difference between the two and which one you should see for certain types of treatment. Your oral health plays a pivotal role in your overall health, and it’s helpful to know the different services an orthodontist and dentist provide so you can find the help you need right when you need it. Learn more about the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist and find out how Houston Orthodontic Specialists can provide you with high-quality orthodontic tre ..read more

For many people, the first question when it comes to orthodontic treatment is, “How much do braces cost?” We hear this question every day at Houston Orthodontic Specialists, and we understand the importance of finding personalized, high-quality orthodontic care and affordable braces near you in Houston and Bellaire, Texas. With a variety of orthodontic treatment options to choose from and custom treatment plans for every patient, the cost of braces will depend on several different variables, including but not limited to: The type of braces chosen Braces for kids and teens vs. Braces for adult ..read more

Is Wearing a Retainer Necessary After Braces or Invisalign® Treatment? You just got your braces removed or you took out your last Invisalign® tray and you have a stunning smile to show for it. Of course, you’ll want to maintain your results for life. The only way to do that is by wearing orthodontic retainers. When a patient hears this, the first thing they usually ask is, how long do I have to wear retainers? Well, our Bellaire and Houston orthodontists have you covered. In this post, they’ll talk about: What is a retainer? Why do I need to wear retainers? How long do I have to wear retainer ..read more

Having missing teeth can make you feel extremely self-conscious about your smile. You may find that you keep your mouth closed in pictures or try to position yourself so others can’t see the gap when you’re talking to them. Aside from impacting your confidence, missing permanent teeth also affects the health of your gums, remaining teeth, and jawbone.  Whether you lost a tooth (or teeth) due to injury, decay or gum disease, you might be wondering about the best way to restore your smile. Can you get braces with missing teeth? What about Invisalign®? Our Bellaire and Houston orthodontists ..read more

You kicked off your orthodontic treatment and a few days or weeks later, you realize you have canker sores. Well, the good news is, though sometimes painful, the sores aren’t usually serious. But you might be wondering if you can get canker sores from braces. And, if so, will they come back throughout your treatment?  The team at Houston Orthodontic Specialists is here to help! We’ll be going over everything you need to know about canker sores and, more specifically, canker sores and braces.  In this post, we’ll cover: What are canker sores? How long do canker sores last and will t ..read more

At Houston Orthodontic Specialists, we offer a variety of different types of braces, including Damon System self-ligating braces. While the Damon System metal braces are small, comfortable and effective, many of our adult and teen braces patients prefer Damon clear braces. The ceramic, self-ligating brackets have the same straightening power and benefits as their metal counterparts, but they’re incredibly clear.  What Are Damon Clear, Self-Ligating Braces? Before we get into the benefits of Damon clear braces, let’s have a quick overview of exactly what they are. Damon System braces are s ..read more

So, you’ve been told your child or teenager needs to wear a palate expander. This can come as a surprise, but it’s actually a really common orthodontic appliance. At Houston Orthodontic Specialists, we can use expanders in Phase 1 orthodontic treatment or as part of comprehensive orthodontic treatment with expansion. Our treatment plan will depend on your child’s specific orthodontic issues and needs. Since a palatal expander expands, or widens, the upper jaw, it’s typically reserved for patients who are still growing because, at this point, we can much more easily manipulate jaw and facial de ..read more

Metal braces used to be a middle school and high school rite of passage. That’s not the case anymore. These days, while metal braces, particularly the self-ligating braces we use at our practice, are smaller, more streamlined and attractive, they’re not the only option. Younger patients who want to skip the metallic hardware can opt for clear braces, which are less noticeable than their metal counterparts. Patients can also straighten their teeth without braces at all thanks to Invisalign®. With upgrades in engineering, materials and treatment planning capabilities, as well as the unparalleled ..read more

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that impacts how the body uses or produces insulin, a hormone that enables the body to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. If diabetes isn’t managed, it can lead to serious health complications. Yet, aside from affecting your overall health, did you know diabetes affects your teeth, gums, and general oral health too, particularly if it’s not well controlled? If you’re one of our current or prospective Bellaire or Houston braces or Invisalign® patients, you might be wondering what the implications are for orthodontic treatment with diabetes.  As a Ho ..read more

Pacifiers are one of those things that are the subject of a lot of debate in the parenting world. From when to give a baby a pacifier to whether or not pacifiers are bad for teeth, there is a ton of conflicting information. As Bellaire and Houston orthodontists, we can’t give you a definitive answer on whether a pacifier is right for your infant, but we can address the subject from an orthodontic angle. In this post, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about pacifiers and teeth. Is It Okay to Give a Baby a Pacifier? Babies are born with a natural sucking reflex. Some babies start suc ..read more