Traditional Orthodontics

There are three components of traditional braces that work together to straighten a patient’s teeth:

• Brackets are bonded directly to the tooth surface and serve as tiny handles for moving the teeth into their new, straighter positions. Brackets can be made of a variety of materials, including titanium, stainless steel and ceramic, for example.
• Archwires are extremely thin pieces of metal wire that connect each bracket and apply the pressure needed for the teeth to move into their straighter positions.
• Ligatures are rubber bands or elastic ties that attach the archwires to the brackets.
• Other appliances, such as headgear, may also be required in order to align the upper and lower jaws as the teeth shift into their new positions.

After Dr. Vo fits a patient with traditional metal braces, the archwire begins to apply a light, constant pressure on the teeth, forcing them to reposition. When the patient returns to our office for future periodic visits, Dr. Vo will fit the patient with varying types and sizes of archwire, gradually increasing the pressure on the teeth to continue moving them into straighter positions.