Sturdy and Strong

Traditional braces have been around for a long time, and they’re probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics.

These orthodontic workhouses have a long history of successful treatment and are great at correcting many oral issues.

We look forward to serving you in Greensboro and High Point call us today to schedule your free consultation.

metal braces

What Are Braces Made Of?

Brackets

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

Brackets have little doors where a wire is threaded. A bracket can be secured by closing the door.

Glue

This is what Dr. Goldberg & Dr. Davis will use to attach the brackets to your teeth.

It’s common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.

Orthodontic Bands

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.

Wire

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

The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together in many cases, but we might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors

They go by many names, but we use these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach your archwire to the brackets.

They're less rigid than spacers and come in dozens of colors.

Spacers

These small elastic “donuts” or rings can be used to create space in between your teeth when needed. They are also referred to as separators.

Elastics

We'll need to use elastics if you need to correct your bite. We may use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.

They are generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook. This will pull the upper jaw backward to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite.

 

Metal Braces FAQ