The classic, minus everything you remember.

How braces work

A bracket is bonded to the front of each tooth. A wire runs through all of the brackets and is held in place by small elastic ties or by clips built into the bracket.

The wire is shaped to the position the teeth should end in. It applies light, continuous pressure. Bone on the side the tooth is moving toward is resorbed, and new bone forms behind it. That process is what allows a tooth to move through bone and stay stable in its new position.

The pressure has to be light and constant. This is why treatment takes months rather than weeks, and why wires are changed progressively rather than all at once.

What braces can correct

Braces handle the full range of orthodontic problems: crowding, spacing, rotations, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. They can move a tooth in any direction, including bodily movement of the root, which is harder to achieve with aligners.

For cases involving significant vertical movement, severe rotations, or teeth that need to be moved a long distance, braces are usually the more predictable choice.

Types we offer

Metal braces. Stainless steel. The standard option and the most durable.

Clear braces. Ceramic brackets in a tooth-colored material. Used when appearance during treatment matters.

Both are covered in detail on their own pages.

What to expect

Placement takes about an hour to an hour and a half. The teeth are cleaned and dried, brackets are bonded on, and the first wire is placed. Most people find it uncomfortable rather than painful. Nothing is drilled and no anesthetic is needed.

The first week. Teeth feel sore for three to five days as they begin to move. Over-the-counter pain relief and soft food are usually enough. The inside of the lips and cheeks may be irritated until the tissue adapts, which takes about two weeks. Orthodontic wax covers any bracket that is rubbing.

Adjustment visits happen usually every one to two months. The wire is changed or adjusted. These appointments are short. Some soreness for a day or two afterward is normal.

Removal takes about half an hour. The brackets are lifted off and the bonding material is polished away. A retainer is fitted the same day or shortly after.

How long treatment takes

Most cases take between twelve and thirty months. Dr. Cen gives you an estimate at the consult based on your specific case.

Treatment length depends on what is being corrected, how the teeth respond, and whether elastics and other instructions are followed. Missed appointments extend treatment.