BRACES
We offer many types of braces to suit you and your smile best, no matter your age. We work closely with you to design a personalized treatment plan to address your or your child’s needs.
Hear From Braces Patients Like You
Types of Braces
At Harwell & Cook Orthodontics, we offer a wide variety of orthodontic options for you and your family—kids, teens, and grownups are all welcome here! The most popular options for braces offered at all five of our welcoming practice locations include the following:
- Damon Metal Braces. While metal braces with brackets and archwires are the most common type of braces and the most popular for kids and teens, they don’t have to be run-of-the-mill—you can choose colorful elastics to liven things up! Go ahead and mix and match the colors of your elastics at every appointment if you like. Get creative with it!
- Damon Ceramic Braces. For a more invisible look, ceramic braces may be a great option for you. These braces are made of clear monocrystalline/ceramic materials. Due to the size and fragility of the brackets compared to metal braces, ceramic braces require extra attention and are not recommended for our younger patients. Also, because of the extra care required, ceramic braces are typically placed on just the upper front teeth while traditional metal braces will be placed on most of the lower front teeth.
- Clear, removable aligners. Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are a popular and effective choice to straighten teeth while avoiding the look of metal braces. Computer imaging technology is used to create a series of custom aligners that give you the smile you’ve always wanted gently and efficiently in a series of small steps. Clear aligners are virtually invisible and completely removable—patients can remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss normally. Dr. Harwell and Dr. Cook are the top providers in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles for this innovative treatment option!
Harwell & Cook Orthodontics offers the type of braces that will suit you and your smile best—no matter your age, and within a budget that makes sense. We love working with kids as well as adults—and because you’re like family to us, we will treat you with the care and consideration you expect and deserve in a comfortable and welcoming setting. We encourage you to contact our practice to schedule your complimentary consultation. At your consultation, Drs. Harwell and Cook will work closely with you or your child to create a personalized treatment plan for braces that addresses your/your child’s specific condition and needs. We look forward to meeting you!
BRACES IN THE TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA PANHANDLES
For over 40 years, the team at Harwell & Cook Orthodontics have provided quality orthodontic care with a smile for patients in the Panhandle area. We offer each one of our patients the most advanced technology available today for comfortable, fast, accurate orthodontic care with incredible results. With multiple treatment options available including traditional metal braces, Invisalign, and clear braces, you can trust that we will get you smiling out loud with the healthy and straight smile you have always wanted!
Damon System Goes Far Beyond the Straightening of Crooked Teeth – It Is About Creating Beautiful Faces
There is a general misconception that all braces and orthodontic treatments are the same. With all the options available today it is more important than ever for parents and patients to carefully select what type of braces and technology will be used. The Damon System not only produces beautiful smiles and straight teeth, but also carefully considers how the face is going to change and mature minimizing the aging process. Most people believe patients have such crooked teeth because their jaws are simply too small. Faced with this crowding, traditional approaches often call for permanent teeth to be removed, followed by braces, wires, and strong pressure to move the remaining teeth into a very narrow arch form. Even though teeth may be nicely aligned, long-term research often shows a negative impact on the aging face, bone, and tissue. Traditional braces often apply heavy forces that can overpower the very delicate underlying blood vessels cutting off oxygen and nutrients. This can be more painful and actually slow down tooth movement and lengthen the time of treatment. The Damon System, however, takes a completely different approach. Recent studies show that crooked teeth are usually not caused by jaws that are too small but rather by the tongue and muscles in the face that are simply out of balance. With the Damon System, your orthodontist can use very gentle pressure working with the natural forces of your body. This allows your dental arches to develop the way they are always meant to. It is very exciting to see patients’ interior crowding eliminated with a wider, more natural arch form, and in most cases, this is accomplished in far less time with fewer visits and far greater comfort. What makes the Damon System so unique is that it not only straightens teeth, but on most adults, it can also have a major impact on the appearance of the entire face, slowing the aging process. For adults with narrow arches, even those with straight teeth, the Damon System can reverse the effect of the aging process by supporting the area of the mid-face, creating a more youthful appearance. What emerges is a more natural-looking appearance with a wider, brighter smile, rarely requiring surgery or tooth extractions. So how does the Damon System create this magic of the mid-face? By taking advantage of the very latest advancements in high technology. The space-age wires used in the Damon System are unique in that they continually work to return to their original form: an ideal, balanced arch. In place of traditional braces that hold the wire tightly against the teeth, the Damon System uses specially designed brackets that allow these wires to slide and move freely. Orthodontists can now apply less pressure—in fact, several hundred times less pressure on each tooth. This allows the body’s own healing and adaptive ability to create more space and a more natural arch form for the crowded teeth. The latest research using the most advanced imaging technology clearly demonstrates the benefits of moving teeth with forces that work in harmony with the body. Using biological sensitive forces, the teeth and surrounding bone can move together, creating a more natural smile and face. With most traditional orthodontic treatments, this patient would have undergone extraction, resulting in a narrower smile and flattened mid-face. With the Damon System, look at how the smile and face actually improve as the patient grows and matures. Patients can be treated with the highest level of care in a shorter amount of time with far greater comfort. With the Damon System, the future has indeed arrived.Life with Braces
The braces experience is different for each patient: some have little to no discomfort, while others may have a little bit of soreness when they first get their braces on or after adjustments. This page includes some of the things you can do to minimize your time in treatment and maximize your comfort while keeping your mouth healthy and clean so that your appliances stay in top shape while they move your teeth. During your adjustment appointments, our team will check in with you to make sure that your treatment plan is on track. This is also a good time to ask us any questions you may have about your care. Our orthodontists and team love to answer your questions, so if you have a question for us and do not have an appointment scheduled, please give us a call at any of our five convenient locations. We are always happy to help and can even guide you over the phone if you are having trouble with your appliances.
EATING WITH BRACES
The truth is, you can eat almost anything when you have braces, as long as you avoid the foods that can cause you to lose a bracket, break a wire, or get tangled up in goo. Here’s a handy guide that can help you avoid any issues. Feel free to print this list out and put it up on the fridge.
What Not to Eat with Braces (The NO List)
- Chewy foods. bagels, licorice, beef jerk
- Crunchy foods. popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods.caramel candies, chewing gum
- Sticky foods.caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods.nuts, hard candies
- Foods you have to bite into.corn on the cob, whole apples, carrots
- Limited or avoideSugary drinks should also be limited or avoided because they can lead to decay and white spots around the brackets
What You Can Eat with Braces
- Dairy soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins (without nuts)
- Grainspasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultrysoft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafoodtuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetablesmashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruitsapplesauce, bananas, berries (but watch out for those little seeds), fruit juice
- Treatsice cream (without nuts), milkshakes, Jell-O®, soft cake
SORENESS CAUSED FROM BRACES AND APPLIANCES
Some patients can experience soreness or discomfort when they first get their braces or when they are switching aligners, but this doesn’t last more than a couple of days. One great way to relieve oral discomfort is to swish with salt water. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish and gargle with it for a couple of minutes, being careful not to swallow the saltwater solution. An over-the-counter pain medication, such as Advil® or Tylenol® can also help. It may take some time to get used to how your mouth feels with your new braces or appliances, but after about a week or two, you will have adapted to the changes. We will provide a special wax that can be applied to the surface of your braces if you experience irritation on your lips, cheeks, and tongue while you are adjusting. Note: Loose teeth during your treatment is normal, so don’t worry if you notice some looseness. This is a good sign that everything is moving as it should, and any loose teeth will tighten back up once your treatment is complete.
LOOSE WIRES AND BANDS
If one of your wires or bands should become loose or break, please give us a call so that we can work with you to fix the problem. If you are unable to see us right away, and you’re feeling confident about trying it, you can use the back of a spoon or a pencil eraser to move a loose or poking wire back into position. If you have pain or irritation because of a broken wire, you can place some of the special wax we provide, or a cotton ball soaked in water, over the part of the braces or appliance causing the irritation. Be sure to bring any piece(s) of your appliance that may have broken or fallen off along with you when you come in to see us, so we can make repairs.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR APPLIANCES
When you take great care of your appliances during your treatment, your time in braces will run smoothly, and your new smile will show your efforts! Dr. Harwell and Dr. Cook and their team will show you how to take care of your appliances when you receive them, but the general approach is simple: consistently wear your rubber bands, retainer, and other appliances, and be sure to avoid the foods on the NO list!
PLAYING SPORTS WITH BRACES
When you’re on the playing field, whether you have braces or not, it’s important to wear a mouthguard. This device will help protect your mouth and appliances from damage. If you have a sports accident, check your mouth and appliance for signs of damage, and then contact us as soon as possible if you notice anything that doesn’t seem right. You can use wax on the damaged parts of your appliances to keep any irritation in check until you are able to come in to the practice. For more serious accidents to the head and mouth area, go to the nearest emergency room for care.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR TEETH
Just like you, we’re happy when your orthodontic treatment goes smoothly and quickly. We all want the same thing: to get the best results as quickly and as comfortably as possible so you can enjoy your new smile. By practicing good oral hygiene habits during your orthodontic treatment, your treatment will be efficient, and your results will shine—so keep up that brushing and flossing routine! You can check out our Braces FAQ for more information about braces.
Cost of Braces
At our practice, high-quality orthodontic care is affordable. Our patients have the opportunity to start full treatment with as little as $250 down and payments as low as $150 per month. We will customize a financial plan that works for every family, providing individualized financing options for everyone. We use a slider method that allows our patients to choose a down payment and monthly payment that best fits their budget, and orthodontic insurance claims will be submitted on your behalf by our office. Since every patient is different and, therefore, every orthodontic treatment is personalized, an estimate of the full cost for you or your child’s treatment will be a result of your consultation appointment at our practice. During this appointment, you will receive a customized treatment plan as well as an estimate of your cost.
The final cost of braces will depend on several factors, including
- The details of your insurance coverage
- The length of time needed to complete your treatment
- The type of braces chosen
- If additional procedures are required to complete your treatment
- If braces will be placed on the upper teeth, the lower teeth, or both
THE VALUE OF BRACES
Braces are a long-term investment in your smile and overall oral health, so when you’re ready to check out treatment needs and options for yourself or any member of your family, it’s important to have all the information you need to decide. At Harwell & Cook Orthodontics, the first step is actually free—your complimentary orthodontic exam and consultation, where your questions about orthodontic treatment at our practice will be addressed, including cost. There’s no wrong age to start treatment, and our offices are designed to make you feel at home, whether you’re a kid or an adult, so we encourage you to come in and see us. Every type of braces we offer can provide incredible long-term benefits, such as
- Bite correction for better lifelong oral health
- Improved alignment and functioning of the teeth which adds longevity to your smile
- Better overall oral health
- Increased self-confidence
- A beautiful and healthy smile
Everyone’s mouth has an ideal window of time when braces work best, but we won’t be able to know when your best time for braces is until we meet you and look at your teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists and Harwell & Cook Orthodontics recommends that kids see an orthodontist by age 7 to see if braces are needed right away or if it can wait a few years. Sometimes, even if you still don’t have all of your adult teeth, we may decide that an early start with braces is right for you, or we may decide to watch your growth and development for a while before it’s time for your braces. If we do decide to get started early on your treatment, you’ve lucked out! You might get to be the first one in your class to get braces! If you are between the ages of 11 and 15, you probably expect to get braces since so many of your friends have them. By age 12, most, if not all, of the permanent teeth are in place, and crooked teeth, gaps, and bad bites are highly visible. Starting treatment at this time helps us take advantage of your remaining growth to make orthodontic corrections during these important, formative years. If you stop by any of our offices after 3:00 PM on a school day, it almost feels like an after-school program with kids hanging out with their friends!
The answer is a big YES! Braces or appliances will not keep you from joining in any of your favorite activities, including sports or playing an instrument. Of course, if you play a contact sport, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth, whether you have braces or not. We provide mouth guards for braces patients from our offices at no cost.
No. Since your permanent teeth are bigger than your baby teeth, the space available for your permanent teeth is limited. So, if your teeth are growing in crooked, what usually happens is that they get more crowded and crooked as they all grow in over time. But wait! There’s good news! Even if your teeth are very crooked, we can fix them, and once your braces come off, your new, straight smile is going to be amazing!
When you come in and see us for your first appointment, your orthodontist will look at your teeth and tell you what he thinks is right for you and how long he thinks you’ll be in braces. The exact amount of time is different for every patient, but most kids have braces for a little under two years—but if you follow all the instructions that we give you when you receive your braces, you can shorten the amount of time you have braces!
Your orthodontist will usually see you every six to eight weeks to check in and make adjustments. If we need to see you more often, we promise not to ask you to miss too many activities or too much school.
Sometimes when you first get your braces, or after you have them adjusted at our office, your mouth can feel a little sore—but this usually only lasts a day or two. The rest of the time you will probably forget you even have braces! If you’re experiencing discomfort, go ahead and ask your parents for Advil or Tylenol or ask them to help you swish with some warm salt water. Gargling with salt water really can help!
You can and should brush and floss when you have braces. Your Harwell & Cook Orthodontics team will show you the best way to brush and floss once your braces are on, and we will even give you toothbrushes, flossing aids, toothpaste, and mouth rinses! It’s a good idea to brush at least three to four times each day—once after each meal and again before going to bed. Your teeth and braces also appreciate a daily floss to get into those places between your braces where your toothbrush can’t reach.
Absolutely! The day you get your braces, you will be able to get right back to school—your friends will want to hear all about your experience!
Braces FAQ for Adults
Parent-Specific Braces FAQ
Your consultation appointment with Dr. Anthony or Dr. Cook is your opportunity to ask questions about treatment options, cost, and anything else of concern. Some of the things we will cover during your initial examination include
- If your child has an orthodontic issue that needs to be corrected
- A proposed plan for correcting any orthodontic issues
- If your child will be referred to an oral surgeon or dentist for additional procedures to complete orthodontic treatment
- An estimate of the length of your child’s orthodontic treatment
- An estimate of the cost of your child’s treatment
Phase one treatment is another name for early orthodontic treatment for children. This type of treatment typically begins between the ages of 7 and 10 and can last from 12 to 21 months. It’s called phase one treatment because it is usually followed by a second phase of orthodontic treatment that begins when the child is a bit older. Phase one is initiated when we detect significant orthodontic problems during a child’s first exam so that we can correct them and prevent more severe orthodontic problems for your child in the future. After phase one and a subsequent period of rest where there is no treatment, additional treatment with braces may be recommended for your child—phase two. The team at Harwell & Cook Orthodontics will keep you completely informed along the way so that you know what to expect and when. Take a look at our page on Early Orthodontic Treatment for more information.
Of course! Braces or appliances will not keep your child from joining in any of his or her favorite activities, including sports or playing an instrument. If your child plays a contact sport, we recommend a mouthguard to protect the braces and teeth during play. We provide mouthguards for braces patients from our offices at no cost.
At our practice, we focus on making appointments as comfortable as possible, so most of our patients feel great and can go right back to class the day they receive their braces. If your child feels any soreness while adjusting to new braces, this should last just a day or two and can be easily controlled with over-the-counter medication such as Advil or Tylenol. For real stories from our braces patients, check out the videos on the Patient Stories page.
Adult Patients Braces FAQ
At Harwell & Cook Orthodontics, we offer braces, aligners, and other options for every age group. Advanced treatment options that provide maximum dental and cosmetic benefit, such as Invisalign and ceramic braces, are very popular with our adult patients, but whether you choose metal or clear braces, hidden braces or Invisalign, our approach to your care will be completely personalized to you. With digital orthodontic treatment planning combined with our decades of experience, you are sure to have an orthodontic experience that exceeds your expectations at any of our five trusted practice locations in the Panhandle.
Just like you, your treatment is one of a kind. While the average orthodontic treatment lasts less than two years, the best way to determine the length of your treatment is to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Most of our patients have no discomfort the day they receive their braces. If you do feel some minor soreness while adjusting to new braces, it will only last a day or two, and over-the-counter medication such as Advil or Tylenol will offer relief.
Routine appointments generally involve an oral hygiene review and checking of your braces. You may receive new wires, or new methods will be started to further correct your teeth and bite. These appointments are usually short and last around 20–40 minutes. We like to schedule appointments about every six to eight weeks. If your treatment is more extensive, we may schedule appointments more often, but we will make every effort to ensure the appointments are as efficient and convenient for you as possible. We will work with you to arrange appointment times that fit with your schedule.
Yes. All orthodontic patients must continue to maintain their oral health with regular visits to the family dentist every six months or so for a cleaning and exam. Keep up your excellent brushing and flossing habits as well—two times per day is recommended.
Our team will demonstrate the best way to brush and floss once your braces are on because maintaining excellent oral hygiene while in orthodontic treatment is vital to the success of your treatment. At a minimum, you should brush after each meal and before going to bed. A daily floss is recommended as well. Once your treatment begins at our practice, you will be provided with toothbrushes, flossing aids, toothpaste, and mouth rinses to help you achieve that beautiful, healthy smile you’re dreaming of.
Don’t worry, you can still enjoy a vast array of delicious foods while in braces, but once orthodontic treatment begins, there are a few foods to avoid because they can cause damage to or deform the brackets and wires of your braces. These include ice, hard candy, nuts, apples, raw vegetables, sticky foods, and gum. Most of the emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces are due to patients ignoring the instructions we will provide once you begin treatment—these instructions include detailed dietary guidelines.