Traditional Metal Braces

How Do Our Metal Braces Work?

Braces apply constant pressure on your teeth, progressively guiding them to their correct position. And while the archwires put pressure on the teeth, other parts such as the brackets act to hold them in place.

Gums envelope your teeth. Underneath the gum, you’ll find a membrane that grips the root section of your teeth, binding it to the jaw bone. When braces apply tension on your teeth, this thin sheet of tissue stretches to one side while compressing on the other—allowing your teeth to assume their ideal positions. Meanwhile, the brackets and archwires work in tandem to create and maintain the pressure.

Although in the preliminary stages the archwires may guard the teeth’s abnormal positioning, the brackets, however, exert enough pressure to initiate the remodeling. The heat from your body prods the archwires and thus helps steer the positional changes.

How Long Does the Entire Process Take?

Usually, your teeth will shift approximately a millimeter every month. Depending on the level of alignment you need, treatment duration can, therefore, range from six months to three years. Also, the bone may still require sufficient time to adjust to the changes. For that reason, we fit you with a retainer to hold your teeth in their aligned positions. Conversely, this will deter the teeth from moving back to their old formation after treatment. We, therefore, advise you to keep wearing the retainers for some time to stop the teeth from shifting.

How Do Traditional Metal Braces Compare with New Orthodontic Practices?

Unlike Invisalign and Damon systems, traditional braces do more than align the teeth. In addition, these orthodontic treatments crucially correct bite concerns that would otherwise require special diagnosis and management. Besides, the braces will also avail you the following benefits:

• Strength and Durability: Traditional braces combine functionality with quality in comparison with other orthodontic treatments. If you’re to look beyond the aesthetics of ceramic braces, you’ll find that the stainless-steel constructs prove to be sturdier. What’s more, you will not have to concern yourself with the possibility of losing aligner trays.
• Reasonable Pricing: In comparison to the other orthodontic treatment options, traditional braces are relatively more affordable. Furthermore, with reasonable care, you won’t have to grapple with bracket and archwire replacements.
• Most Effective Method of Dealing with Teeth Overcrowding: While dentists can only do so much with Invisalign to ease overcrowding concerns, traditional braces prove to be more convenient and practical. You’ll find individual brackets in combination with a malleable archwire more effective in making precise adjustments—this works well towards resolving overcrowding problems.

Contact Your Manhattan & Riverdale Orthodontist

For more info about our braces or other orthodontic services, don’t hesitate to contact us. In case you need a personal check-up, you can always schedule an appointment with our experienced Manhattan and Riverdale orthodontist. If you are looking for an orthodontist in Manhattan, Riverdale, Bronx, or New York City call today at 212-688-4663 or 718-543-4300. We look forward to seeing you in our office!