Orthodontics

Orthodontics can transform your smile if you have crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth. At Cham Dental in Houston, Texas, general and family dentist Nada Alsawaf, DDS, and her team offer orthodontic treatment with braces and Invisalign® to children, teens, and adults. Partnering with a qualified orthodontist can help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Call Cham Dental today to schedule an orthodontics appointment for yourself or your child, or book your visit online.

I have crooked teeth. Should I consider orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a dental subspecialty focused on jaw and tooth alignment. 

If your teeth are too close or overlapping, they’re more difficult to brush and floss. Without treatment, these and other similar issues increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. 

The Cham Dental team can develop a custom orthodontic care plan that enhances your smile, improves your chewing function, and encourages top oral health.

What types of alignment problems can orthodontics treat?

The Cham Dental team uses orthodontics to treat a wide range of alignment problems, including:

• Rotated teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Overlapping teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Overjet
• Underbite
• Crossbite

You might benefit from orthodontics if you or your child have impacted teeth (teeth partially or fully trapped beneath your gums). 

Are there different types of orthodontics?

The Cham Dental team offers several types of orthodontic treatment, including:

Traditional metal braces

Traditional braces are bonded to the front of your teeth. They feature metal brackets, flexible archwires, and o-rings (small rubber bands). 

During treatment, you visit Cham Dental for regular checkups. Your dentist tightens or loosens the archwires at each visit, changing the pressure applied to your teeth and jaw. Over time, the pressure moves your teeth into the optimal position, transforming your smile. 

Invisalign oral aligners

Invisalign oral aligners are removable appliances that fit snugly over your upper or lower teeth. They’re made of an FDA-approved thermoplastic called SmartTrack® that’s clear, so it blends in with your teeth.

You wear the aligners 22 hours a day during treatment, only removing them to eat, brush, or floss. 

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

The time orthodontic treatment takes depends on your commitment to the team’s care plan and the severity of your alignment problems. Most patients complete treatment in 12-18 months*, but it might take two years or longer. Follow the team’s instructions, attend checkups, and wear your appliances as prescribed.

Is orthodontics painful?

Orthodontics is safe and usually well-tolerated. After each checkup at Cham Dental, it’s normal to experience mild swelling, pain, and increased tooth sensitivity. These symptoms should improve within a day or two, but if they continue, contact your orthodontist immediately. 

Call Cham Dental today to explore the benefits of orthodontics, or book your appointment online.