Metal Braces

Metal braces are made of traditional metal wires and metal brackets. These silver or golden metal brackets are glued to the front of patient’s teeth and are intended to treat and correct almost all teeth problems like teeth gaps, overlaps, teeth crowding, rotated and severely crooked teeth to provide better smile. Metal braces can effectively solve bad bites or maloccusion. And when these braces are worn in combination with headgear it can also level out overbite and underbite problem of patients.

Metal braces uses ligature which is an elastic circular rubber band to embrace the arch wire to the bracket. Tiny metal brackets are fastened in front of every tooth unlike before that the bands are packed all over the whole tooth. The wire is formed into the proper position of the teeth and was threaded through the brackets. As the wires resist to go back to their original shape, they gradually pressure the teeth into that shape as well. The dentist will tighten the wires every four to six weeks.

Metal braces are less expensive and yet the most effective among all kinds of brackets available. Treatment usually ranges from two to three years though this period can be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the patient’s problem. The main drawback of metal braces is their highly obvious metallic appearance. But young adults can customized their braces by using colored ligatures. These elastics can be changed with each visit to the dentist allowing patient to have a new look every month.

Wearing braces especially during the first week is slightly painful and may cause slight irritation at the back of the lips. It can also hurt each time the dentist tighten or adjust the brackets but this will likely fade away after few days. Braces need special brushing and flossing techniques because food tends to adhere around the brackets that can cause bacteria buildup and bad breath formation.