How do braces work?
We will take photos and X-rays before we put on your brackets. In some cases, we may digitally scan your teeth using one of our iTero Element scanners. When we scan your teeth, it only takes a few minutes but will give us an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth.
The information we gather during your X-ray or digital scan will help us create a customized treatment plan just for you, which indicates how each tooth should be moved into an ideal position.
Using your treatment plan, Dr. Miller will decide where your brackets should be placed. If some teeth need to be tilted, the brackets might be placed differently than they would if teeth should be turned.
When we’ve attached the brackets, we’ll insert the wires, with bends in place to provide different types and amounts of pressure based on each tooth’s needs. These bends help us cause the specific tooth movements that we want.
Bends can help us turn twisted teeth to face the right direction or align a tooth that is too far forward with another that is too far back.
What can I expect from today’s metal braces?
With so many more discreet alternatives available today, traditional metal braces have a reputation for being obvious, but the treatment has come a long way in recent years. Today’s braces are smaller, less noticeable and more comfortable than they’ve ever been.
Today’s braces offer lighter wires and smaller brackets which lessen their appearance and make them more comfortable to wear. The result is that they are less likely to cause irritation in your mouth.
Another advantage that traditional braces offer is the ability to add fun colors to them. At no additional cost, you can customize your braces using different colors in your elastics. It’s a great way to showcase your personality!
Your custom color combination could be anything from a representation of your favorite sports team, your school colors, or a seasonal blend to celebrate a holiday. The choice is yours! Silver, gray, white and tooth-colored elastics are also available for patients who would prefer to keep a more subtle look.
In the hands of the expert team at Miller Orthodontics metal braces can be used to correct even the most complex issues with your teeth. They sometimes offer a quicker treatment for straightening teeth than alternative treatment methods might. Choosing metal braces can, in certain cases, mean getting a great new smile in less time.
They’re also sometimes more affordable since they don’t require the complex technology or equipment that other treatment options might.
It’s the strength, durability, and affordability of metal braces that have kept them most common in orthodontics over the years, even with so many more options available today.
How long will I be in braces?
We get this question all the time, but the truth is that there’s no concrete answer. Everyone’s situation is unique, which means that each patient will respond to treatments in their own way, and the treatment time will inevitably vary on a case-by-case basis.
We can tell you that, on average, a person will spend between 18 and 22 months in traditional braces, but this treatment time may also be much shorter or a little bit longer.
Some patients that we see have been in braces for as little as six months. Obviously, more complex issues take a while longer to correct.
Metal braces will show you major signs of improvement very quickly, though, which will provide you with a boost of confidence throughout your treatment!