TYPES OF BRACES

There are several types of appliances that can be used to straighten teeth and correct jaw alignment.  The type used for each patient will depend on that patient’s individual orthodontic problems and treatment plan.  For orthodontic treatment to be successful, the patient and orthodontist must work together.  Patients must consistently wear their elastics, headgear, retainers or other appliances.

Metal Braces

The most common type of braces are made of metal.  Most people that you see with braces probably have this type.  Patients frequently customize these braces with different colors that can be placed over the brackets and can be changed at each appointment.

Clear Braces

Clear braces are very much like the traditional metal braces, except they are made of a translucent material very close to the color of teeth.  While not really invisible, they are less noticeable than metal braces.

“Invisible Braces”

What people frequently call invisible braces are not traditional braces at all.  They are a series of clear, removable aligners that are worn to improve alignment of the teeth.  They can correct some, but not all, orthodontic problems.

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander widens the upper jaw to correct posterior crossbites (when the upper jaw is too narrow to fit properly to the lower jaw). 

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat overbites (when the upper teeth are too far forward of the lower teeth) or underbites (the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth). 

Retainers

Retainers are worn after orthodontic treatment to help hold the teeth in their new positions.  Retainers can also be made to treat some minor orthodontic problems and are sometimes used in young patients to make some early improvements in the appearance of the teeth before a child is ready for full braces.

Elastics

Elastics (or rubber bands) help correct how your top teeth fit to your bottom teeth.  They must be worn as instructed by the orthodontist to work as quickly as possible.

Separators

Separators are small rubber circles that are placed between your teeth to push then slightly apart.  This gives enough space to place bands at the next appointment.