Metal Braces | Braces Portland

A New Twist on a Trusted Classic

Traditional braces have been around for a long time, and they’re probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics in Portland, Windham, and the surrounding area.

What Are Metal Braces Made Of?

These orthodontic workhorses have a long history of successful treatment and are great at correcting many oral issues. At Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics, Damon metal braces continue to be the top orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages!

Damon braces are the first self-ligating bracket system. They use lighter wires and lower friction brackets, which results in fewer appointments, less discomfort, and faster treatment!

Brackets

The brackets Dr. Yu uses are durable and made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.

Brackets have little hooks or doors where Dr. Yu will thread a wire. The bracket can then be secured by closing the door, or by placing an elastic over the top of the wire.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Yu will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth in the right direction.

The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together in many cases. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Glue

This is what Dr. Yu will use to attach the brackets to your teeth. It’s common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.

Slide Mechanism

Damon braces use a patented slide mechanism to connect archwires to the bracket, reducing friction and leading to quicker treatment times.

Spacers

These small elastic “donuts” or rings can be used by Dr. Yu to create space in between your teeth when needed, typically before bands are placed. They’re also referred to as separators.

FAQs

How do braces work?

Before applying the brackets, Dr. Yu and the team at Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we’ll use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth.

If necessary, this process takes 10-15 minutes and provides an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth.

After the X-Ray and optional scan, Dr. Yu will use this information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to be moved to get it in the best possible position.

Dr. Yu will decide how to place the brackets based on this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to be tilted, the placement of those brackets will be different than the placement of brackets for teeth that need to be turned.

Once the brackets have been attached, Dr. Yu will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth. A bend in the wire is how most orthodontists cause specific, and precise movements.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, because of modern orthodontics, you’ll benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before. At Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in Portland, Windham, and surrounding areas!

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you’ll have less irritation in your mouth. We use Damon braces, which use a slide mechanism in place of the traditional elastic ties, reducing friction on the teeth. This can result in better oral hygiene and quicker overall treatment times.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues for patients of all ages in Portland, Windham, and surrounding communities. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might. This can potentially shorten your treatment time.

Metal braces are a cost-effective option because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do.

The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients, year after year!

How long will I be in braces?

This is what everyone wants to know, but it’s one we don’t have a concrete answer for. Every mouth is different, and every patient responds to treatment in their own way. Treatment time with metal braces will be different every time.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual treatment plan from Dr. Yu.

At Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics, we have patients in braces for as little as six months. But for more complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.

With metal braces treatment with Dr. Yu and the team at Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics, you can see signs of improvement in just a short time, and that gives you confidence during the treatment process.