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At Image Orthodontics, we are experienced in working with many types of braces.
Traditional metal braces are the most common and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
You can add colored elastics (rubber bands) at each visit for a more unique and colorful smile. We also offer clear braces and self-ligating braces.
Schedule a free consultation to create your custom treatment plan.
Getting metal braces might feel like a big step, but don’t worry – they’re still the most common way to straighten teeth, and for good reason. These trusty brackets and wires have been perfecting smiles for decades.
So, what exactly are you getting into? Metal braces use small stainless steel brackets glued to your teeth, connected by a thin wire that gradually nudges your teeth into better alignment. Think of them as tiny scaffolding for your smile! The wire is held in place by colorful elastic bands that you can switch up at each appointment. Want to match your school colors or show some holiday spirit? Go for it!
Sure, you’ll need to change your eating habits temporarily (goodbye, sticky caramels) and step up your brushing game. The first few days might feel a bit strange, and you’ll likely be friends with dental wax for a while. But most people adjust surprisingly quickly, and before you know it, you’ll barely notice them.
The best part? Metal braces are workhorses. They can tackle pretty much any alignment issue you throw at them, from simple crowding to tricky bite problems. And while they might not be invisible, today’s braces are smaller and more comfortable than what your parents wore.
Most people wear braces for 18-24 months, but your timeline might be shorter or longer depending on what needs fixing. Just remember – the time will pass anyway, so why not spend it working toward a smile you’ll love?
Remember: those first few weeks are the hardest. After that, it’s mostly smooth sailing until your big reveal day. Trust us, that first look in the mirror when they come off? Totally worth it.
The road to a straighter smile might seem long, but with modern options and proper care, you’ll be showing off your new smile before you know it. Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation with us to discuss whether braces could be your path to a confident new smile.
Schedule a free consultation with our board-certified and experienced orthodontists, who can help you determine if you are a good candidate for metal braces.
Get acquainted with your customized treatment plan.
Your orthodontist will take your teeth impressions and show you the different stages of teeth positioning via 3D imaging.
Once your treatment is complete, your metal braces will be removed simply and relatively painlessly. A retainer will then be made for your mouth, and you will wear it for a while to ensure your results are maintained.
Watch this helpful video to understand how to take care of your braces (and your smile) to ensure a healthy, successful outcome of your orthodontic treatment.
Knowing a little about the anatomy of the mouth is essential to understanding how braces successfully reposition teeth.
Your teeth are suspended inside your gum and bones and not fused into your bone. Also, your teeth are surrounded by the periodontal ligament (PDL). This is what enables your teeth to be moved.
Braces use gentle force in one direction. This force compresses the PDL on one side and stretches it on the other. On the side that is compressed, the bone reabsorbs. On the side that is being compressed, the bone grows. So, your teeth move because of simultaneous bone loss and creation.
You can eat any soft food. It’s also a good idea to cut your food into small pieces to avoid damaging your braces by biting through big chunks of food.
More importantly, you need to know WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT WITH BRACES.
– Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
– Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
– Sticky foods: caramels, gum
– Hard foods: nuts, hard pretzels
– Sugary food: candy
– Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
You’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods once your braces are removed.
The cost can vary greatly depending on your individual treatment plan.
Braces can seem to be expensive. However, if you follow your doctor’s care instructions, your new smile should last a lifetime.
This means your investment is spread out over decades, amounting to just pennies a day.
While individual cases vary, most patients will have a straighter, healthier smile with traditional braces in just 6 months to 3 years.
Some factors affecting treatment time include how closely you follow your doctor’s instructions during treatment, the type and extent of maladjustment being treated, and adherence to regular checkups.
On average, most orthodontic patients wear their braces for 2 years, although some treatments can be as short as 12 months and some as long as 3+ years.
It’s important to remember that wearing your retainers is a part of your orthodontic treatment.
Retainers help stabilize your teeth after straightening and retain their new alignment.
It’s recommended that you wear your retainer full-time for anywhere from 4-12 months following the removal of your braces. After that time, you will need to wear it at night indefinitely.
Good dental hygiene is extremely important at all times, but it’s especially important while you’re wearing braces.
That being said, we’ve found that both electric and manual toothbrushes work well. Of course, an electric toothbrush requires less work.
What really matters is that you make sure to brush all the surfaces of the teeth around the braces themselves – above and below the braces.
Additionally, we recommend using a water pick to clean between your teeth since flossing with braces can be very difficult.
Braces hurt because they are actively moving your teeth.
They can also hurt if the brackets and wires themselves come into contact with your cheeks. Eventually, after a few weeks, most people grow less sensitive to their mouths’ inner tissues.
We recommend that our patients take any painkillers before their initial and adjustment appointments. It’s easier to prevent the adjustment pain than to stop it once it’s begun.
This is a very common question, and the answer depends on the structure of your mouth and teeth and your smile goals.
We recommend you schedule a complimentary consultation with our board-certified orthodontists so they can accurately assess your current situation.
After they examine your mouth and discuss your desired outcome and expectations, they can recommend whether braces can help you achieve your goals
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child see an orthodontist for an evaluation by age 7 or 8.
Our certified and experienced orthodontists will evaluate your child’s jaw development, orofacial development, and airway function.
After a thorough exam, We recommend a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Absolutely! Braces aren’t just for kids and teens. Adults can benefit from braces as well.
Adults can explore metal braces or Invisalign. It’s never too late to get the perfect smile you’ve always wanted!
We offer a free initial consultation to help you plan your smile goals.
We’re excited you’re ready to take the first step toward your perfect, amazing smile! See you soon!
