The Traditional Choice
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are what most people envision when they think of braces and are still by far the most popular option. In recent years, there have been significant technological advancements in these types of braces. These advancements help to decrease their size and thickness while providing for better comfort and hygiene.
What Are Braces Made of?
Brackets
The brackets durable, long lasting, and are typically made from stainless steel.
Brackets have little hooks or doors where a wire connects. A bracket can secure by closing the door or by placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Adhesive ("Glue")
This is what Dr. Courtney Dunn and Dr. Matthew Dunn will use to attach the brackets to your teeth. Some orthodontists may attach the brackets to a metal band and crimp it around the tooth to hold it in place. It’s much more common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with adhesive (technically, a form of composite bonding material).
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Courtney Dunn and Dr. Matthew Dunn will change the shape and curvature of the wire in order to move your teeth in the optimal direction. The Drs. Dunn will likely bend the wire to customize your smile design and biting relationship.
In some cases, the wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together, but we might occasionally cut the wire strategically if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.
Elastics
If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. They are generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook. This will pull the lower jaw forward to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw backward to correct an underbite.
We may use rubber bands for many different situations. They are frequently used when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.
Orthodontic Bands
These are stainless steel rings that cement to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands can provide an anchor for your braces and orthodontic appliances, but they are not for everyone.
Spacers
These small elastic “donuts” or rings can create space in between your teeth when necessary, typically before bands. They are also known as separators.
Elastic Ties/O-rings/Ligatures/Colors
These tiny rubber rings or bands attach the arch wire to the brackets. They are less rigid than spacers and come in dozens of colors.
How Do Braces Work?
Before applying the brackets, Dr. Courtney Dunn and Dr. Matthew Dunn and our team will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we will us our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth. If necessary, this process takes 5-10 minutes and provides an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth.
After the X-Ray and digital scan, the information will help create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to move in order to get it in the best possible position.
Dr. Courtney Dunn and Dr. Matthew Dunn will decide how to place the brackets using this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to be tilted, the placement of those brackets will be different than the placement of brackets for teeth that need to be turned.
Brackets Attached
Once the brackets are on, Dr. Courtney Dunn and Dr. Matthew Dunn will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth. A bend in the wire is how most orthodontists cause specific and precise movements.
For example, a bend can help a tooth that is twisted to turn and face the right way, or aligning one tooth that is too far forward with one that is too far back. This process of tooth movement uses remodeling, and it involves minor changes in the bone that surrounds the roots of your teeth.
Want to know more about the science behind remodeling? When pressure is put on the tooth, cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts form around the tooth’s root. The pressure of the wire and the osteoblasts and osteoclasts together create a negative pressure on one side of your tooth.
At this site, bone is removed. On the other side of the tooth, bone is reformed. The tooth will then slowly move into the correct position as pressure is put on the tooth and the bone of the tooth and the jaw is remodeled.
This process is only able to occur if constant pressure is put on your tooth. As bone is absorbed on one side and then replaced on the other side, the tooth can move. Once the pressure stops - like when we remove your braces - the tooth will begin to settle into its new position.
However, most teeth will start to drift back to their old positions over time. This is why you will be given a retainer. When worn properly, a retainer will help keep your teeth in their new, improved positions and prevent natural drifting.
What Can I Expect from Today’s Metal Braces?
Metal braces have a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But with the advances of modern orthodontics, you will benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before.
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.
Pick your favorite color combination, the colors of your favorite sports team, even your school colors! We also offer silver, gray, white, black, and tooth-colored elastics for patients seeking a more subtle look.
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!
Bonus: because metal braces get right down to work, you'll be able to see some signs of progress in a relatively short period of time. It may not seem like much, but sometimes seeing even a small improvement in your smile can give you an encouraging boost on your orthodontic journey.
How Long Will I Be in Braces?
This is what everyone wants to know, but it’s one we don’t have a concrete answer for. Every mouth is different, and every patient responds to treatment in their own way. Treatment time with metal braces in Phoenix AZ will be different every time.
The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual. We have patients in braces for as little as six months. But for complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.
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.