Orthodontics is best accomplished using braces to straighten your teeth. Braces are made up of brackets, bands and wires. Brackets are small metal attachments that are glued to the teeth, and bands are little metal rings that go on the back teeth where biting forces are stronger. Wires are attached to the brackets and bands to straighten the teeth. The wires are fastened to the braces with rubber ties which are available in a variety of colors. We offer three different types of braces:

Traditional--These braces are the easiest to take care of and allow your treatment to progress the fastest. With these braces, we can change the color of your ties at every appointment.

Clear--Clear brackets give less noticeable appearance to your braces. However, treatment time may be longer and they are not suitable for all patients.

Gold—Gold brackets give a softer look to your braces and look great with clear upper brackets.

Elastics

Elastics or rubber bands are used during orthodontic treatment to properly mesh the upper and lower teeth into a perfect bite. Elastics will be used in the final part of your treatment and the timing of the removal of your braces will depend on the proper wear of your elastics.

Retainers

When your braces are removed, you are not finished with orthodontics. Retainers are necessary to hold the teeth in the proper position while the bones, ligaments, and gum tissues surrounding the teeth heal and adapt to their new position. Retainers must be worn full time for this to occur, and that is why we use fixed retainers whenever it is possible. We will monitor your progress in retainers for two years after your braces have been removed.