Straighten Your Smile with Braces at Our Texas Dental Office
Straightening your teeth doesn’t have to be complicated; fortunately, traditional metal braces remain one of the most reliable orthodontic treatments available. At Citrus Smiles Dental Studio, our dentists are experienced in providing braces treatment for patients of all ages across Murphy, Wylie, Heath, Irving, and Lucas, TX.
Whether you’re a teenager getting braces for the first time or an adult who’s been putting it off, our team will walk you through your options and build a treatment plan that works for your smile and your schedule. To get started, call your nearest Citrus Smiles location or request an appointment online.
Why Choose Citrus Smiles Dental Studio for Braces
When it comes to straightening your smile, you deserve a team that goes beyond the basics. Here’s what real patients have to say:
- “Absolutely loved this place! I came in for a second opinion in regards to braces and wisdom teeth removal and I was very pleased with their feedback! They were very thorough with the process and even went above and beyond to get my orthodontics appointment scheduled asap! Definitely recommend this place.” — Jessenia Yazbek | Lucas, TX
- “I got a tooth filling along with my permanaent braces on my bottom row re-attached due to them falling off… They consistently made sure I was ok throughout my procedure and answered any questions I had. It was my first time doing any numbing on my teeth and I didn’t even feel when they put it on me! I highly recommend Citrus Smiles as a dental office.” — Ayanna Rankins | Heath, TX
- “Brooke is the best. She really worked with me financially and helped me to be able to afford getting braces.” — Jakalyn Hills | Heath, TX
At Citrus Smiles Dental Studio, every patient experience reflects the same commitment: thorough care, genuine compassion, and a team that treats your smile — and your budget — like a real priority. Whether you’re exploring braces for the first time or coming in for a second opinion, you’ll find a practice that moves quickly, listens closely, and goes the extra mile across all of our Dallas area locations.
What Are Traditional Metal Braces?
Traditional metal braces are an orthodontic appliance made up of small stainless steel brackets bonded to the front of each tooth and connected by a thin archwire. Over time, the wire applies gentle, consistent pressure that gradually shifts teeth into their correct positions.
The system has three main components:
- Brackets: Small metal squares bonded directly to each tooth using dental adhesive. They act as anchors for the archwire.
- Archwire: A flexible wire threaded through the brackets that delivers the pressure needed to guide tooth movement.
- Ligatures: Small elastic bands that hold the archwire in place within each bracket. These come in clear, metallic, or a range of colors if you’d like to personalize your look.
At each adjustment appointment, our Texas dentists will tighten the archwire to maintain steady progress throughout your treatment.
What Can Traditional Braces Treat?
Metal braces can address a wide range of orthodontic concerns, including crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and crooked or rotated teeth.
For cases that involve significant crowding, complex bite issues, or more severe misalignment, metal braces are often the most effective choice. Not sure if braces are right for your situation? Our dentists in Texas will evaluate your teeth and jaw during a consultation and give you a clear recommendation.
Traditional Braces for Teens and Adults
Metal braces are suitable for patients of nearly any age, and there’s no upper age limit for treatment as long as your teeth and gums are healthy.
Braces for Teens
For teenagers, metal braces offer a durable and cost-effective option for achieving a straight smile during the years when alignment issues are easiest to address. Brackets can even be customized with colored elastics for a little personality.
Braces for Adults
More adults than ever are choosing orthodontic treatment, and metal braces remain a practical option for complex cases that might not respond as well to clear aligner therapy. If you’ve been considering straightening your teeth but aren’t sure which path is right for you, our team can compare your options, including Invisalign, at your consultation.
Benefits of Choosing Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces have a long track record in orthodontics for good reason. Some of the key advantages include:
- Versatility: Braces can treat a broader range of orthodontic issues than most aligner systems, including more complex bite problems.
- Reliability: Because the brackets are bonded to your teeth, there’s no concern about forgetting to wear your aligners or losing compliance over time.
- Affordability: Traditional braces are generally one of the more cost-effective orthodontic options, which makes them accessible for a wider range of patients and budgets.
- Durability: The stainless steel construction holds up well throughout treatment, even for active teens and adults.
What to Expect During Metal Braces Treatment at Citrus Smiles Dental Studio
Getting braces at Citrus Smiles Dental Studio involves a straightforward process:
- Consultation: Our dentist will examine your teeth, review any necessary X-rays, and discuss your goals to determine whether braces are the right fit.
- Placement: During your placement appointment, your dentist bonds the brackets to your teeth and threads the initial archwire. The appointment typically takes one to two hours.
- Adjustments: You’ll return to our office every four to eight weeks so we can tighten the wire and monitor your progress. These appointments are quick and help keep your treatment on track.
- Removal and Retention: Once your teeth have moved into their final positions, the braces come off, and you’ll receive a retainer to maintain your results long-term.
Average treatment time ranges from 18 to 24 months, though this varies based on the complexity of your case.
Caring for Your Braces
Keeping your braces clean throughout treatment protects both your teeth and your results. Here are a few habits to build:
- Brush thoroughly after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush, paying close attention to the area around each bracket.
- Floss daily using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to clean between teeth and under the wire.
- Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can break brackets or bend wires — things like popcorn, gummy candies, ice, and hard pretzels.
- Wear a custom mouthguard during sports to protect your teeth and brackets from impact.
- If a bracket comes loose or a wire breaks, contact our office as soon as possible to schedule a repair.
Financing Your Braces Treatment
We understand that orthodontic treatment is a significant investment, and we want to make it as accessible as possible. Citrus Smiles Dental Studio accepts most PPO insurance plans, as well as Medicaid and CHIP. We also work with several third-party financing providers, including CareCredit, Sunbit, Proceed Finance, PatientFi, LendingClub, Cherry, and United Credit, to give you flexible monthly payment options. Our team will help you understand your coverage and walk you through payment plan options before you begin treatment.
Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign
Both traditional braces and Invisalign are effective orthodontic treatments, but they work differently and aren’t equally suited for every case.
Braces are fixed to your teeth throughout treatment, which means there’s no risk of compliance issues. They tend to be a stronger option for more complex alignment problems and are generally more affordable. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners that are nearly invisible and make eating and oral hygiene easier. They work well for mild to moderate concerns and are popular among patients who prefer a discreet option. Our dentists offer both treatments and can help you decide which is the better fit at your consultation.
