Brian C. Pratt, DDS PA

Braces are available in a variety of styles, including metal, plastic, and ceramic. They all have the same goal: To correctly align your teeth and jaws for enhanced aesthetic appeal and for better oral health.

Metal braces are popular with children and teens and are smaller and more comfortable than ever before. Traditional metal braces feature two main components: the brackets that are placed on each tooth and the archwire that is threaded through them. As the wire applies pressure to one side of the tooth, the jawbone on the other side gives way. This causes the tooth to move and new bone to grow behind it. Elastics (rubber bands) are used in conjunction with braces, exerting a constant force to move teeth. Elastics must be worn at all times and changed every day in order to maintain the proper force.

Lingual braces work just like traditional metal braces but are placed behind teeth instead of on the front. This allows them to be completely hidden, so no one knows that you are wearing them. Typically, anyone who could have traditional metal braces is also a good candidate for lingual braces.

Clear braces are a popular choice for adults and teens that would like a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. Options include clear aligners such as Invisalign® and clear ceramic braces, which use tooth-colored ceramic brackets and wires instead for a nearly invisible look.

After the active orthodontic treatment period is complete and your braces have been removed, you will be given a retainer. This marks the beginning of the retention phase, during which a retainer is used to hold teeth in their new positions while the jawbone, gums and muscles adapt. You must wear the retainer as instructed, otherwise your teeth may revert to their former positions, and the benefits of having had braces will be lost.

Appliances are used during various stages of the orthodontic process, either to retain the new position of teeth, or in some cases to influence the growth of the jaws for a better bite alignment. Appliances may be fixed or removable.

Designed to widen your upper jaw, a palatal expander applies outward pressure on your upper molars to slowly expand your palate.

Spacers are plastic rings that are inserted between back teeth before you have braces, providing space for your teeth to shift. If a spacer comes out, call our office to see if you need a replacement. Do not chew sticky foods with or floss teeth that have spacers in them.

Rubber bands are used with fixed metal braces. They must be worn at all times and changed daily per our instructions.

For a severe overbite or underbite, headgear is sometimes used to continuously pull on your teeth, restricting further growth forward.

Designed to complete the final tooth necessary movements, positioners are usually the last step in the orthodontic process.