About Dr. Rangel
Dr. Diana M. Rangel is a distinguished dentist located in Visalia. She’s been offering her services and further polishing her skills for over 17 years. Why should you choose Dr. Rangel? As a dentist she is highly specialized, and has more certifications than your average dentist. Doctor Rangel takes extra time to explain the procedures to your children so they feel at ease, there are many dentists that don’t take that time and just get straight to work. Dr. Rangel is also highly knowledgeable and skilled in educating her patient’s oral health plan. The equipment at her facility is state of the art, implementing the latest technology in the field of dental science. Another benefit of going to Dr. Rangel’s clinic is that X-Rays can be obtained in her office instantaneously, should they be required, in order to speed up the process of detecting cavities and get started treating them as soon as possible. Leave your children in the best hands by choosing Dr. Rangel!
Do braces hurt?
Mild pain and discomfort are not uncommon when braces are first applied and tightened by an orthodontist, however, it is usually very minimal, lasting only about 2 to 4 days, and can always be treated with the use of nonprescription medication such as Advil or ibuprofen. In the rare event that the pain or discomfort proves to be too much to handle, Doctor Rangel may prescribe medication to treat your pain during the process, so do not be discouraged! After a couple of weeks, you may even forget you are wearing braces, so make sure you are still careful and avoid foods you should not be eating that may separate your braces from your teeth. If you accidentally detach a bracket from a tooth do not worry, just schedule a quick appointment with Dr. Rangel to get them reattached.
How do braces work?
In order to move your teeth in a desired direction, braces apply tension and pressure. There are three components that give braces the ability to achieve this, archwire, bracket, and elastics. The archwire is made in such a way that it will eventually return to its original shape, so it is bent in a way that will correctly align each individual tooth. The bracket is attached to the tooth with adhesive, its main function is to limit the ability of the archwire to move in order to obtain desired results. Finally, elastics will be used to add additional pressure, and if used correctly can speed up the overall process, shortening the time during which you have to wear braces by several months. The braces move your teeth, and the teeth force the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone to readjust, this biomechanical process is known as “remodeling”. Teeth respond better to constant but gentle pressure, which is applied by the braces, allowing Dr. Rangel to perfect your smile with zero to very little discomfort. Once the teeth are correctly aligned a retainer may be used for a couple of months while the periodontal ligament settles.
How do you floss with braces?
Flossing is necessary while wearing braces, as it diminishes the overall probability of cavities and gum disease. It will take a little more time than flossing without braces, but all you have to do is pass the floss under the wire in front of each set of the two connected teeth. Once the floss is under the wire, pass it between the two teeth, rinse and repeat. Dr. Rangel may assist you in cleaning your teeth with a quick visit to her clinic if flossing proves too difficult, or you feel like you would like to make sure you did not miss any spots (specifically in your molars).
How long do braces take?
On average, braces will take anywhere from 14 to 18 months to correctly align your teeth. However, it truly depends on each person’s situation. If their goal is to fix a crooked tooth or slight misalignment, it could be achieved within 4 to 6 months, in more severe cases, it might potentially take anywhere from 24 to 36 months. This might seem like a very long time but is still much more cost-effective than other medical alternatives. This is absolutely worth your trouble as it will drastically improve your smile, as well as your quality of life and by a consequence your self-esteem. Doctor Rangel will instruct you on the correct use of elastics to shorten the overall duration, so if a patient is adamant about shortening the time during which they use braces, they can, just make sure you ask Dr. Rangel for advice.
Does Medicaid cover braces?
Dr. Rangel works closely with Medi-Cal, as a pediatric orthodontist, member of the Pediatric Oral Health Access Certification Program from the California Dental Association and the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Medi-Cal (also known as Denti-Cal) will cover the cost of braces for eligible children and adults who reside in California. According to the Department of Health Care Services, residents can qualify for free or low-cost coverage if they come from a low-income family, or alternatively if they suffer one of the following commonly covered orthodontic conditions:
● Congenital hypodontia or hyperdontia
● Cleft palate
● Excessive overjet
● Impacted teeth
● Issues or pain when eating and chewing
● Structural jaw issues that cause pain or difficulty opening and closing the mouth
● Severe underbites, overbites or crossbites.
If patients were to fail to qualify through their income or medical oral conditions, residents of California also have the option to qualify through the following programs:
Cal Fresh
● SSI/SSP
● CalWorks (AFDC)
● Refugee Assistance
● Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program
If you have any other questions feel free to call (559) 732-2394 for a free consultation!