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How do Braces Work and What are They Used For?

Orthodontic braces apply constant pressure to teeth over time, gradually moving them into more aligned positions. The treatment helps improve jaw and bite alignment, facial aesthetics, and oral health. Braces can also enhance a patient's smile, and when someone smiles more, their well-being is also improved.

Crowded teeth

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Are you curious about how braces work and what they can do for your teeth? - Our orthodontists have put together a simple explanation of the entire process. Please read further if you are keen to learn.

How do braces move teeth?

Teeth with braces attached

Braces gradually guide your teeth and jaws into the right position by applying pressure. They consist of small brackets attached to your teeth with glue, holding a thin wire known as an archwire. The archwire is connected to each bracket on every tooth. The archwire design is made to return to its original shape (the shape of a perfect jaw).

This amazing archwire attribute is what makes braces work. An orthodontist will adjust the archwire and sometimes replace it with a thicker or thinner one, depending on how much tooth movement is required for the treatment.

Believe it or not but the design of your jaw and roots work very well with braces, and this is why: Surrounding your teeth are periodontal ligaments, which are soft tissue and bone. These ligaments hold your teeth in place and can stretch or compress as your teeth move. For example, when braces move a tooth to the right, the ligament on that side shortens, and the bone on the other side fills the space.

the components used in braces

  • Brackets: Small, square-shaped attachments bonded to each tooth to hold the archwire.
  • Archwire: A metal wire that connects the brackets and exerts pressure to move the teeth.
  • Bands or O-rings: Rings that secure the archwire to the brackets.
  • Ligatures: Tiny elastic bands or wires used to hold the archwire in place.
  • Hooks: Protruding features on brackets for attaching elastics or other orthodontic appliances.
  • Buccal Tubes: Tubes on molar bands to anchor the archwire.
  • Spacers or Separators: Small elastic bands or metal rings placed between teeth to create space.
  • Springs: Coiled components used for specific tooth adjustments.
  • Elastics: Rubber bands used to align the jaws or enhance tooth movement.
  • Retainers: Post-braces appliances to maintain the corrected alignment.
  • Palatal Expander: Device to widen the upper jaw.
  • Headgear: An external appliance used to correct bite and jaw issues.

What is the purpose of the archwire?

Orthodontist adjusting archwire

Orthodontist adjusting archwire

The archwire straightens and aligns teeth. It's made from materials like stainless steel, nickel-titanium, or other alloys. The wires are designed to guide tooth movement. The archwire is shaped like your jaw and placed into the brackets on the teeth, applying pressure that moves them.

The archwire works due to its flexibility and resistance to bending. When in the brackets, it creates tension and pressure on the teeth. As the wire tries to return to its original shape, it gently moves the teeth into place. Orthodontists adjust the archwire by using a thicker or thinner wire or bend the wire to make adjustments. This process continues until the teeth are correctly positioned, leading to a straighter smile. The archwire is an important component in orthodontic treatment. Without the archwire, braces will not function.

If you are interested in understanding how braces help with various dental conditions, please read on:

braces help with overcrowding teeth

Crowded teeth

Overcrowding happens when your jaw isn’t big enough for all your teeth or when your teeth are too large for your jaw. This can lead to teeth overlapping, twisting, or sticking out. Braces can help with overcrowding by adjusting the position of your teeth—moving them back, forward, or sideways—to create the space they need to fit properly.

An expander can be a great option for younger patients dealing with overcrowding. This device helps widen the upper jaw to make more room for teeth. It attaches to the upper molars and has a screw that you turn daily, gradually expanding the jaw. It works best before the bones of the upper jaw fuse, which typically happens around age 14.

If an expander isn’t suitable or if there isn’t enough space in the lower jaw, some patients may need to have a few teeth removed to make room for the others. This process, known as tooth extraction, usually involves taking out the premolars—those teeth right next to your canines. Your orthodontist will go over all the options with you and help you figure out the best plan for your situation.

braces Correct an overbite

Overbite teeth

An overbite is when your upper front teeth cover too much of your lower front teeth when you bite down. This condition can impact your appearance, speech, chewing, and oral hygiene. Braces can correct an overbite by moving both the upper and/or lower teeth.

An orthodontist will treat an overbite by moving your upper front teeth up, your lower front teeth down, or both. Doing this reduces the vertical overlap of your teeth and creates a more stable bite. Another option is to move your lower back teeth up to make your lower jaw open slightly more. This also reduces the vertical overlap of your teeth.

braces are used for fixing an underbite

Underbite teeth

An underbite occurs when the lower teeth stick out past the upper teeth when the jaws close. Braces can correct an underbite by slowly moving the teeth and jaws into better alignment.

The goal is to move the lower teeth back and the upper teeth forward. Braces encourage bone changes over time, helping the teeth and jaws settle into new positions.

The treatment duration varies, ranging from several months to a few years. When it comes to an underbite, braces can significantly improve a person's bite, face profile, and overall oral health, offering both visual and practical benefits.

braces help with crossbites

Crossbite teeth

Fixing crossbites with braces means moving teeth to their proper positions. The treatment adjusts upper or lower teeth so they fit well when you bite down. This involves moving teeth forwards, backwards or sideways so that the crossbite is correct over time.

Braces will gradually shift teeth for a crossbite, allowing the jawbone to adapt and fix the condition. Depending on the case, this can take from a few months to a few years.

Orthodontist's use braces to fix gaps in your teeth

Teeth with gaps

Braces are good at closing gaps in teeth. Gaps can happen due to genetics, uneven tooth size, or bad habits that change the position of the teeth. Braces assist with gaps by applying steady pressure to move teeth into the right places and close the gaps. Closing the gaps can take anything from a few months to 3 years.

braces can reverse an open bite

Open bite teeth

An open bite occurs when the front teeth don't touch when the jaws are closed. This problem can result from thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, or genetics. Braces can fix an open bite by applying a steady force to move teeth and close the gap. The jaw bones adapt over time, correcting the alignment. Treatment time varies based on the severity, often taking a few months or 2 to 4 years.

The Three stages of treatment with braces

Stage 1 - Level and Align

Brackets are carefully installed and positioned on your teeth using dental adhesive. As each bracket is added, a curing light hardens the adhesive, firmly attaching the brackets to your teeth. An archwire is then threaded through them and secured with elastics. This stage is the most painful as the brackets are at different heights (due to your unaligned teeth), and this difference causes a lot of pressure on the teeth.

Stage 2 - Bite Correction

Next, we fix bite problems such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite. These occur when your upper and lower jaws don't fit together properly. The braces are adjusted with various wires, elastics, springs, or other devices to move your jaws and teeth into the correct position. In this stage, any gaps between your teeth will be closed.

Stage 3 - Fine Tuning

Finally, minor adjustments and refinements are made to your teeth and bite. The finest wires and elastics are used to make slight movements, ensuring your teeth are in the best position possible. This stage usually lasts a few months before the braces are removed. The orthodontist may also bend the archwire to make some of these final adjustments.

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