Reliable & Sturdy
Traditional braces have been around for a long time, and they’re probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics. Today's metal braces are better than ever, and they're great at correcting many smile issues.
About Metal Braces
You may think of metal braces as bulky and uncomfortable, but they’ve come a long way.
Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you will have less irritation in your mouth.
Traditional metal braces also come with a fun new twist without any extra cost - you can customize them with pops of color. The elastics that fit around your brackets come in a wide variety of colors that let you showcase your personality whenever you want.
Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might. This can potentially shorten your treatment time.
Metal braces are a cost-effective option because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do.
The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients, year after year.
The average treatment time for traditional braces is different for everyone, but the average treatment time is 18-22 months.
With metal braces, you can see signs of improvement in just a short period of time, and that gives you confidence during the treatment process.
Common Questions About Metal Braces
What Are Braces Made of?
Brackets
The brackets durable, long lasting, and are typically made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.
Brackets have little hooks or doors where a wire is threaded. A bracket can be secured by closing the door, or by placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Glue
This is what Dr. Claiborne or Baugher will use to attach the brackets to your teeth.
It’s common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Claiborne or Dr. Baugher will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth in the right direction.
The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together in many cases, but we might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.
Elastics
If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. They’re generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook. This will pull the upper jaw back to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw backward to correct an underbite.
We may use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.
Orthodontic Bands
These are stainless steel rings that are cemented to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands can provide an anchor for your braces and orthodontic appliances, but they’re not used for everyone.
Spacers
These small elastic “donuts” or rings can be used to create space in between your teeth when needed, typically before bands are placed. They’re also referred to as separators.
Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors
These tiny rubber rings or bands are used to attach the arch wire to the brackets. They are less rigid than spacers and come in dozens of colors.