Metal Braces | Braces Greensboro | Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics

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.

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

How do braces work?

Dr. Goldberg, Dr. Davis, and our team will start by collecting photos and X-rays of your mouth. We’ll use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth. This process provides an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth in 10-15 minutes.

After we take your records, we’ll use the information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to move to get the best possible result.

Dr. Goldberg & Dr. Davis will use his plan to place your brackets. 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.

Dr. Goldberg or Dr. Davis will insert the wire after your brackets are placed. 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.

For example, a bend can help a tooth that is twisted to turn and face the right way, or aligning one tooth that is too far forward with one that is too far back.

This tooth movement process is called remodeling, and it involves minor bone changes that surround the roots of your teeth.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

Modern braces aren’t the awkward and obvious treatment that comes to mind. At Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we use the latest in metal braces and are more comfortable than past options.

The small and efficient brackets do a great job of fixing complex tooth issues. They’re able to close gaps and align teeth quickly compared to other treatments might. This means shorter treatment times and much more to smile about.

Metal braces are also a cost-effective option because they don’t require some of the complex technology or expensive equipment needed for other treatments. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients, year after year!

How long will I be in braces?

Everyone wants to know, but it’s not an easy question to answer. 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 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual. We have patients in braces for as little as six months. But for complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.

With metal braces, you can see signs of improvement in just a short time, which gives you confidence during the treatment process.