Metal Braces

Metal braces work by constantly putting pressure on your teeth. This pressure encourages the teeth to slowly move into the correct position. The metal brackets you see on the teeth work to hold the arch wire in place. It’s the arch wire that puts most on the pressure on your teeth. 

Treatment length with metal braces will vary depending on the complexity of the treatment and the amount of tooth movement required. 

The stainless steel metal brackets are first carefully positioned on to your teeth and then attached to the teeth using a special form of dental cement by the orthodontic specialist. After the brackets have been placed correctly onto your teeth, the wires are then fitted into the brackets and then attached using specialised elastic rubber band ties. The wires are often made from either stainless steel or titanium. The rubber band ties are what are responsible for the gentle forces that move the teeth into the desired position. 

On occasion, larger elastic bands are required for some patients if their straightening treatment is quite complex. Traditional metal braces are attached to the front of your teeth and as a result, are more visible than some other teeth straightening methods. However, they are also relatively less expensive than a lot of other teeth straightening options. 

As orthodontic treatments have evolved over the years, modern metal brackets have become smaller, less obvious and a lot easier to keep clean. 

If you are concerned about the appearance of metal braces, there are a number of alternatives to this form of treatment such as  ceramic braces, Invisalign and Incognito orthodontic systems.

The application of braces does not hurt at all when they are placed on to your teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious about the placement appointment. However, after the braces have been secured on to your teeth, there will be mild soreness and a bit of pain after your orthodontist tightens your wires. This adjustment period usually causes some discomfort and sometimes an achy feeling in your teeth because your teeth are starting to move and align.

This pain may last a few days, usually any pain but will subside after that after your teeth get used to the movement. 

The amount of time you need to wear your braces depends on how much movement is required. Braces are usually worn roughly from 18 months to two full years. There are some cases when braces need to stay on longer depending on how much movement is required of the teeth but similarly, there are also many cases where people need to wear braces from shorter terms such as 6-24 months.

Your treatment time is heavily dependent on the alignment of your teeth to begin with and how much work needs to be done.

With the vast changes that have been made in the orthodontic world over the last couple of years, there are now many alternatives to metal braces for straightening your teeth. These include: 

• Damon braces
• Invisalign
• Clear braces
• Incognito braces
• Ceramic braces

While you are wearing metal braces, it is a lot easier for plaque to build up and food particles to accumulate and become trapped. Be prepared to spend at least twice as long with your oral health routine especially while you have braces on your teeth. If you do not regulate your oral hygiene while your teeth are being realigned, you increase your risk of gum disease. 

Flossing with braces can seem quite tricky but once you get the hang of it, with practice, it will become easy. Be sure to use waxed floss that will not shred in your braces such as dental tape or a product that is specifically designed to clean around your braces. You can buy these flossing sticks specifically designed to help you floss while you have braces at most pharmacists.

It will also help your teeth look a lot better when it is finally time to get your braces removed. 

The best thing about metal braces is that you can never be too old for it, do not be put off by any stereotypes! There is no age limit and here at the Neem Tree, we promote people of any age coming to us to restore their smile. 

You can use braces to correct misaligned teeth at any age! If you are concerned about your age and wearing big metal brackets on your teeth there are many discrete options available to you that can hide that you are wearing braces and restore your smile without hindering your self-confidence.

If you choose to have the classic metal braces, they are placed on the front of your teeth only. However, there are other treatment options such as Damon braces that place the brackets on the back of your teeth to enable the braces to be hidden whilst still straightening your smile. 

Yes. Wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment is a common and very important practice after you have received teeth straightening treatment. You do need to wear a retainer after your treatment. Retainers stabilise your bones and teeth after the active orthodontic treatment. They reassure that the alignment of your teeth and bite does not change after the treatment. This is why most orthodontists will require you to wear your retainers for at least 12 months following your braces removal. 

Since your teeth move your entire life, your teeth need support after orthodontic treatment in order to stay in place. Retainers maintain all the hard work you put in while having your treatment.