Braces in Amarillo, TX
Healthy, Beautiful Smiles for All Ages
Braces are a popular and effective orthodontic tool that helps children, teenagers, and adults achieve straighter teeth. Dr. Astuto is a board-certified orthodontist in Amarillo, TX, who personalizes the orthodontic journey to meet every patient's unique needs. If it's time for you or your child to wear braces, we invite you to contact Full Smile Orthodontics in Amarillo, TX, today.
How Do Braces Work?
Dental braces work by using brackets and wires to put pressure on teeth, forcing them to move into proper alignment. They can treat many orthodontic conditions, including crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, open bite, gaps between teeth, and more. Patients of all ages can benefit from braces, and the specifics of treatment are tailored to fit every patient’s specific needs.
In addition to brackets and wires, sometimes other appliances are used like springs, which open or close spaces between teeth, or elastics that help align the upper and lower jaw. Some brackets have rubber ties that fasten the arch wire to the brackets. You can choose clear or colored brands to personalize the look of your braces.
At check-up appointments, we will adjust the wires, springs, or rubber bands to ensure there is enough pressure kept on the teeth. You can expect to visit our office about every month or two for adjustments, and to select new colored bands for your brackets.
Life With Braces
Braces do not interrupt your life, but they require small adjustments to your daily routine for successful treatment. Our team will teach you how to keep your braces clean, how to take care of your appliances, and what activities and foods you should avoid.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
- Chewy sweets like caramel, fudge, and toffee
- Crunchy foods like popcorn, nuts, and hard candy
- Chewing gum
- Pizza crust, bagels, and hard bread
- Pretzels and chips
- Reduce sweets, sodas, and foods that increase your risk for cavities
Foods to Enjoy After Getting Braces
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt and smoothies
- Soups
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Seafood
- Soft fruits
- Soft cheese
- Pasta
- Cooked or soft vegetables
After you get used to eating with braces, you can enjoy eating your favorite foods, but use caution to avoid any food that could damage your braces. Cut your food into smaller pieces before eating and avoid biting into anything that could break your appliances, such as apples, carrots, or corn on the cob. Remember that damaging brackets or wires will prolong your treatment time.
You must also put in extra effort to keep your braces clean. Plaque that accumulates around brackets could result in permanent stains (decalcification), and not brushing properly increases the risk of tooth decay.
Types of Braces
In the past, stainless steel metal brackets and wires were the only braces option available. Today, there are several types of braces that patients can choose from. During the first visit, Dr. Astuto will take 3D scans of your teeth, explain your treatment options, and help you select the right type of braces for you.
- Traditional Metal Braces. Traditional brackets are made of metal and are attached to the front of your teeth, connected by a wire. There are sometimes rubber bands or metal ties that connect the brackets to the wire to move teeth with more pressure.
- Ceramic Braces. Instead of metal, ceramic braces are made of a tooth-colored ceramic material. They are less noticeable than metal braces and provide the same results.
- Lingual Braces. Lingual brackets are attached to the backs of your teeth, facing the inside of your mouth. They are much less visible, but can be more difficult to clean.
- Clear Aligners. Sometimes called invisible braces, clear plastic aligners straighten teeth without using brackets or wires. A popular clear aligner treatment is Invisalign®, which we also offer at Full Smile Orthodontics.
Should I See a Dentist or Orthodontist for Braces?
Many general dentists offer basic alignment options, such as clear aligners, but these treatments are only a portion of a dentist's scope of practice. For orthodontists, straightening teeth and managing bite problems is their primary focus. Orthodontists must complete several additional years of specialized training after dental school, where they learn the complexities of teeth and jaw alignment, and how to manage a variety of orthodontic conditions. When you require orthodontic treatment of any kind, an orthodontist is the expert to see.
Braces in Amarillo, TX
If you or your child needs orthodontic care, you can depend on our team at Full Smile Orthodontics to provide a fun, comfortable orthodontic experience and achieve life-changing results. We keep patients informed throughout the treatment planning process and are always here to answer questions. We offer braces for children and adults at our office in Amarillo, TX, and invite you to contact our office to schedule an appointment with our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Astuto.
Hear From Braces Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing braces at our office.
Reviews From Our Braces Patients
"As a patient here, I feel excited to be here. It's good to see the staff and have them have smiling faces. Dr. Astuto, as a person, is a very straightforward person, which I enjoy—someone who's very meticulous and well-studied in knowing his art. The day I got my braces off, walking out of here, I was so excited to take some new pictures. Having a new smile that things fit together correctly, that alone just helps me feel better on a day-to-day basis. My overall experience with Full Smile Orthodontics has been a good one. I would highly recommend Full Smile Orthodontics. I think that they are just the best place in town."
"When I first walked into this office, I felt excited because I was pretty happy about getting braces. When I was younger, my sisters got their braces done here as well. My experience with the staff whenever I first came here was pretty good. Dr. Astuto, he's super nice, and he likes to explain what he's doing when he is putting braces on, so it makes you more comfortable. I wanted to get braces, so when I get them off, I will have a pretty smile for whenever we compete in cheer. I would highly recommend Full Smile Orthodontics."
"Every time we come in, the kids are excited to be here. The staff and Dr. Astuto are incredible. They hold themselves and their patients to a high standard. The feeling of seeing both Luke and Lily out of braces was pretty sweet. It's a beautiful smile, and they'll have it for the rest of their lives. Our overall experience with Full Smile Orthodontics has been fantastic. I would absolutely recommend Full Smile to any parent out there looking for a beautiful smile for their child. We're forever grateful to Dr. Astuto and his staff."
"The procedure that I had done by Dr. Astuto was braces. The reason I came to see Dr. Astuto was because he has treated my entire family, and honestly, it was the best decision that I've ever made. I consider it a blessing. The thing I love about Dr. Astuto is he is a perfectionist. He has really explained everything. He has just been great along the way. I actually love smiling now. My overall experience with Full Smile Dental has been incredible. I absolutely would recommend anybody and everybody to Full Smile Dental."
"When I used to come here for my orthodontics appointments, the staff here was amazing. Very kind, very nice. They even let me play my guitar for them, which was a blast. Dr. Astuto is the best orthodontist ever. He helped me with all the questions that I asked about my teeth, and he was very kind. After I got my braces off and I looked in front of the mirror, I was amazed and shocked on how well my teeth looked. I felt very comfortable smiling around people. Overall, it was a very great and amazing experience. I would absolutely recommend Full Smile Orthodontics."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I have to wear braces?
The average treatment time for braces is about 24 months. This time will vary depending on the orthodontic issues you need to correct. Some patients wear braces for less than 12 months, while others wear braces for several years.
How much do braces cost in Amarillo?
The cost of braces will depend on the type of braces and how long you need to wear them. If you require additional oral appliances, such as a retainer, this will add to the total cost. We will provide you with an estimate for your braces treatment during your first visit.
Are braces worth it?
Braces are an investment worth making. Straight teeth are easier to maintain proper oral hygiene, promote a healthy bite, and help you feel confident about your smile. If you require braces, committing to treatment now will benefit your oral health and self-esteem for life.
Can adults get braces?
Yes! Braces are great for all ages, including adults. Many adults in our office in their 30s and beyond wear braces and achieve fantastic results.
Creating Beautiful Smiles Is Our Passion
We look forward to helping you and your family achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. To begin your orthodontic journey, contact Full Smile Orthodontics today for a consultation.