Traditional Braces – Los Gatos, CA

Achieve a Straighter and Healthier Smile

Teen smiles with braces

Many people have crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth that are hard to clean, vulnerable to injury and infection, and sometimes simply uncomfortable. Fortunately, traditional braces from Dr. Cristina Herrera and her skilled team in Los Gatos can safely and effectively address mild to severe alignment issues. Here’s a quick look at how braces work, but please feel free to schedule a consultation if you would like to know more.

Why Choose Dr. Cristina Herrera for Traditional Braces?

  • Skilled and Compassionate Dentist
  • Enjoy a Healthier and More Beautiful Smile
  • Dental Insurance Welcomed

How Do Traditional Braces Work?

Braces on model teeth

Alignment issues such as gaps, crowding, underbites, overbites, crossbites, and open bites can lead to a host of oral and overall health problems like infections, dental damage, pain in the neck, head, back, or jaw, and difficulty speaking and eating. Braces address these conditions by applying the consistent force necessary to shift the teeth into healthier positions through a system of wires and brackets cemented to the enamel. The patient will need to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits, observe certain dietary restrictions, and visit our office every six to eight weeks so we can monitor the treatment’s progress and make occasional adjustments. Traditional braces can usually address a misalignment in one to three years.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?

Dental hygienist smiles

The only way to know for sure if braces can help you is to schedule a consultation at Dr. Herrera’s office. After she evaluates your teeth, she may recommend braces to address:

Bite Misalignment

Illustration of misaligned teeth

Dental misalignments like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites can lead to a host of problems like teeth grinding, oral injuries, hygiene difficulties, infections, TMJ issues, and aching of the head, neck, or neck. Braces can resolve these issues by drawing the teeth into a healthier alignment that protects the smile from injury and distributes the pressure of chewing more evenly.

Crowded & Crooked Teeth

Illustration of crowded teeth

Teeth that are too close together are harder to clean, easier to injure, and prone to oral infections. Braces can pull the teeth into an even alignment that is visually pleasing, can chew more efficiently, and helps the patient practice excellent oral hygiene.

Gapped Teeth

Illustration of teeth with gaps

Large spaces between the teeth can expose the gums to injury and accumulate plaque and food residue that feeds the bacteria that cause nasty oral infections. Braces can pull the teeth closer together to close gaps and create a healthier and more beautiful smile.

Caring for Your Braces

Hand reaches for toothbrush

You’ll need to practice excellent oral hygiene and adhere to a few dietary restrictions while wearing braces. Some habits to develop include:

  • Thoroughly brushing and flossing every day to eliminate plaque and food debris.
  • Using special tools daily to clean around and between the brackets and wires.
  • Abstaining from foods and beverages that are tough, crunchy, hard, chewy, sugary, or acidic.
  • Visiting our office every six to eight weeks for checkups and adjustments.