Written by Traditional metal braces are an efficient way to correct misaligned teeth and bite issues. They promote good oral hygiene by preventing crooked and crowded teeth from trapping food particles and plaque, and they help patients maintain healthy gums and teeth throughout their lives.
An orthodontic wire, usually made of stainless steel, runs between each bracket. This provides the ideal balance of flexibility and force to guide teeth into their proper positions.
Brackets
The brackets are bonded to the front surface of your teeth, and they hold the arch wires that apply consistent pressure to guide your teeth into their proper positions. The wires are usually made of a stainless-steel alloy that’s optimized for comfort and flexibility, while still applying the necessary force to move your teeth.
Orthodontic wires are typically held in place by small elastic bands or metal ties, which are changed at each appointment. Some bracket types, known as self-ligating, have their own built-in method of holding the archwire to the brackets without the use of elastic ligatures.
Braces apply pressure to your teeth to move them into their correct positions, and that pressure is sustained throughout the duration of your treatment. This consistent pressure signals the cells in your body to remove bone from where your tooth is currently located and build bone in the new position that the wire wants it to be in.
Archwires
The flexible metal wire threaded through each bracket is called the archwire. It applies consistent pressure, gradually moving teeth into better alignment. Archwires come in different shapes and sizes, and can be made of a variety of metal alloys. Stainless steel options are durable and corrosion-resistant, while nickel-titanium and beta-titanium varieties have more of a “shape memory” quality and can bend more easily.
The softer alloys are used in the early stages of treatment because they apply light continuous pressure, helping to correct mild misalignments. Once the initial alignment has been achieved, orthodontists switch to stiffer wires that are less elastic and allow them to apply more precise force to specific teeth.
Because these stronger wires are less flexible, it’s important to visit our orthodontist regularly for adjustment appointments. If a wire is bent or broken, it can poke into the cheek or lips, leading to pain and discomfort and potentially cuts. A broken archwire can also interfere with the effectiveness of brace adjustments.
Elastics
Elastics, or rubber bands, work with your metal braces San Antonio to help realign your bite and jaw as well as straighten teeth. Different types of elastics connect to the metal wire through small hooks on the brackets in a variety of configurations. They are less rigid than spacers and come in a variety of colors to allow patients to express their personalities and customize their orthodontic treatment.
Elastics exert extra force on particular areas of the mouth to speed up the treatment process and correct misalignments like an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite. They are most effective when worn consistently. While wearing them, you may feel some slight discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help alleviate this discomfort. It’s also important to change your elastics as instructed, since they can lose their elasticity over time. Always make sure to carry spares so you can replace them promptly if they break or get lost. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is also crucial when wearing elastics.
Retainers
Having braces is an investment of time, money and effort. The reward is a straighter smile and better oral health. Crooked teeth and crowded mouths are more difficult to keep clean and can lead to inflamed, infected gums and tooth decay.
Once metal braces San Antonio are removed, it is essential to wear retainers in order to ensure that your new smile does not revert back to its previous, crooked state. Retainers are made of a combination of metal, plastic or acrylic and are custom-made to fit the new positioning of your teeth.
Retainers are available on the NHS and privately; your orthodontist can advise you on which type of retainer is best for you. You will need to maintain your retainer by keeping it clean and storing it properly when not in use to prevent it from becoming damaged. You may also wish to have your retainer customized with a picture of yourself, so that it is more aesthetically pleasing and easier to remember to wear it.
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