Metal Braces

Contact us today for the perfect smile!

  • Straighten teeth
  • Guaranteed results
  • Improve your smile

Avg. Treatment Time

1.5 Hours

Anaesthetic

No

No. of Treatments

Varies

Fixed metal braces (otherwise known as train track braces) use metal brackets glued to the front of your teeth to hold a metal wire which slowly pulls crooked teeth into alignment. Metal braces are still one of the most common ways to straighten teeth.

Smita Mehra

A word from Dr Smita Mehra, Principal Dentist

Metal braces offer durability, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency in straightening teeth. They consist of high-quality metal brackets and wires that work together to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment, making them a reliable and affordable orthodontic option for many patients. We have specialist orthodontists who can help find the best orthodontic option for you.

Teeth don’t all erupt in the same way, angle and position which can result in deep bites, cross bites, misaligned teeth and even gaps between teeth. When this happens, there are several orthodontic treatments from which to choose.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great family dentistry for all of our needs. Dr. Joana provided great service (braces) for our teen. I can’t believe how quickly the time flew by and now his teeth look fantastic!

Metal braces fix crooked teeth and other orthodontic problems by gluing metal brackets onto the front of your teeth. These are used to hold a metal wire in place, usually with small rubber bands. By gently tightening the wire over a period of months, teeth are pulled into the correct alignment and straightened.

Metal Braces at the Neem Tree

If you’re thinking about orthodontic treatment, our specialists will discuss your options to help you make the best choice for your smile.

Traditional metal braces are still among the most common ways for both adults and children to treat orthodontic problems. As your teeth are gradually and gently pulled into a healthier position, we will ensure your treatment is as pain-free and comfortable as possible.

London

Wandsworth

The Neem Tree
Wandsworth Dental Practice

515 Old York Rd, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1TF
Call: 02088 700 030
Email: [email protected]

Surrey

Esher

The Neem Tree
Esher Dental Practice

138 High Street, Esher, KT10 9QJ
Call: 01372 464 000
Email: [email protected]

Fee Guide

Consultation & Reportfrom £80
OPG (Orthopantomogram)from £75
Study Modelsfrom £50
Ceramic Bracesfrom £4,500 – £4,800
Damon BracesPlease contact us
Incognito Bracesfrom £8,000
Invisalign Check-up & Appointmentfrom £500
Invisalign Upper & Lowerfrom £3,900 – £5,000
Metal Bracesfrom £2,900 – £4,600
Pull Down Retainerfrom £150
Fixed Bonded Retainer (per arch)from £350
Removable Retainers£165

Metal Braces FAQs

How do metal braces work?

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 bracesInvisalign and Incognito orthodontic systems.

Do metal braces hurt?

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. 

How long do I have to wear braces?

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.

What are the alternatives to metal braces?

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: 

How do I clean my teeth with braces on?

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. 

Am I too old for metal braces?

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.

Do they need to be on the front of my teeth?

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. 

Will I need a retainer after my treatment?

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.

Glossary

Cross bite
A cross bite is when a tooth is angled too far towards either the tongue or cheek compared to its counterpart in the opposite jaw.

Deep bite
A deep bite is another term for an overbite. This is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth excessively.

Eruption
Eruption is the process of a tooth breaking through the gum and becoming visible in the mouth.

Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specifies in using corrective measures for the teeth such as braces and retained to treat the misalignment of teeth, restoring them to proper functioning.

Orthodontist
An orthodontist is a type of dentist that specialises in straightening teeth and misaligned jaws.