Dr. Dustin Burleson, DDS

Pain control for metal braces includes two major areas, physical pain control and pharmacological pain control. First, physical protection from sharp wires, irritating bands or braces, and orthodontic appliances that might irritate the gums, cheeks, lips and tongue.  Physical protection is typically

There are several risks when considering any type of braces, including discomfort, increased risk for decalcification and tooth decay, shortened roots, nerve damage, gum disease and injury from the braces to the gums, lips, cheeks and tongue. Lingual (inside the mouth) braces have a unique risk in

An orthodontic chin cup can cause mild discomfort in the area of the chin and lower jaw joints. Management of discomfort caused by the orthodontic chin cup is typically managed with over-the-counter analgesia, like Tylenol ® and Advil ®.

In some children, and in drier climates, skin irritation might

Orthodontic high pull headgear is a type of dentofacial orthopedic appliance for directing jaw growth and improving jaw alignment. It attaches to the upper jaw and the back and top of the head. In other words, it is a type of appliance that is also worn outside of the mouth (it is more than just

Orthodontic high pull headgear is fitted in two steps, as there are two pieces of equipment included with your child's headgear. First, the portion that goes into the mouth (and also extends outside the cheeks from an attachment at the corners of the lips). This portion is called the face bow or

An orthodontic chin cup is used when patients have excess lower jaw growth or deficient upper jaw growth and your orthodontist's goal is to align the jaws. Chin cup therapy is typically recommended in younger patients with the goal of restricting the growth of the lower jaw, or re-directing natural

Orthodontic treatment is important for several reasons. Alignment of the teeth and jaws can prevent more-extensive dental treatment later in life. In some patients with severe jaw misalignment, preventive orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatment might also prevent jaw surgery later in life.

The benefits of getting a bonded dental retainer can be categorized into two major areas. First, from a functional benefit, a dental bonded retainer can prevent unwanted shifting or crowding of teeth. Acting as a "bridge" between the teeth, the dental bonded retainer will hold the alignment and space available

Alernatives to a bonded dental retainer include several types of removable retainers.  Removable retainers have been used successfully for many years and are probably the most common type of retainer. Patients identify immediately with the wire that runs across the front teeth to help maintain tooth al