Metal Braces

The brackets Dr. Sarah uses are durable and made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.

Brackets have little hooks or doors where Dr. Sarah will thread a wire. The bracket can then be secured by closing the door, or by placing an elastic band over the top of the wire.

This is what Dr. Sarah will use to attach the brackets to your teeth. It’s common practice to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Sarah will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth in the right direction.

In most cases, the wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

These are stainless steel rings that are cemented to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands can provide an anchor for your braces and orthodontic appliances, but they are not used for everyone. At your initial consultation, Dr. Sarah will determine if your treatment will benefit from orthodontic bands or not.

These small elastic “donuts” or rings can be used by Dr. Sarah to create space in between your teeth when needed, typically before bands are placed. They’re also referred to as separators.

Before applying the brackets, Dr. Sarah and the team at Imagine Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we’ll use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth.

If necessary, this process takes 10-15 minutes and provides an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth.

After the X-Ray and optional scan, Dr. Sarah will use this information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to be moved in order to get it in the best possible position.

Dr. Sarah will decide how to place the brackets based on 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.

Once the brackets have been attached, Dr. Sarah 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.

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. However, because of modern orthodontics, you’ll benefit from brackets that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before. At Imagine Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the latest technology in braces to our patients of all ages in Rogers and the surrounding areas!

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you will experience less irritation in your mouth.

The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them as the top treatment for orthodontic patients, year after year!

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 will be different every time.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 24 months, but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual treatment plan from Dr. Sarah.

At Imagine Orthodontics, we have patients in braces for as little as six months. However, for more complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.

Dr. Sarah and the team at Imagine Orthodontics can show you signs of improvement in such a short time, which will give you the confidence you need through the treatment process!