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Braces are small brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by a wire that is adjusted over months. They remain the most complete orthodontic tool, able to produce movements that aligners handle less predictably: large rotations, vertical movements, bites where the jaws do not meet as they should, and children’s treatment that involves other appliances. Clear ceramic brackets make them far less noticeable. At Vizcaya Dental Arts braces are planned, fitted and adjusted by Dr. Patricia Hong, a board-certified orthodontist, for children, teenagers and adults.
When braces are the better tool
For many patients, braces and aligners both work, and the choice comes down to preference. For some, braces are the better tool:
- Large rotations
- Teeth that have to be moved vertically
- Bites where the jaws do not meet as they should
- Growing children whose treatment involves other appliances alongside the braces
Braces also have a practical advantage that matters for some patients: they cannot be taken out and forgotten.
Metal or clear
Metal brackets are the smallest, strongest and least expensive option, and today’s are far smaller than the ones most parents remember. Clear ceramic brackets are tooth-colored and much less visible, which many adults and teenagers prefer. They are slightly larger and slightly more fragile than metal, and the small elastic ties that hold the wire can pick up color from coffee, tea or curry between visits, so they suit patients who keep up with their appointments. Both move teeth the same way. Patients sometimes choose clear brackets for the upper front teeth and metal elsewhere.
What treatment involves
- Step 1 of 6 A complimentary consultation
Dr. Hong examines the teeth and bite, explains what she sees, and tells you whether braces, aligners or a combination suits the case, with a realistic range for time and cost.
- Step 2 of 6 Records and the plan
Photographs, a digital scan and X-rays, from which the treatment plan is built. Any dental work that is due is done first.
- Step 3 of 6 Fitting the braces
The brackets are bonded to the teeth and the first wire is placed, in a single visit with no anesthesia. The teeth feel tight and sore for a few days afterward.
- Step 4 of 6 Adjustment visits
Every several weeks, the wire is changed or adjusted and the progress is checked. Elastics may be added to correct the bite. Visits are short.
- Step 5 of 6 Removal
When the teeth and bite are where the plan put them, the brackets come off and the teeth are polished. The retainers are made the same day or soon after.
- Step 6 of 6 Retention
Retainers hold the result. Our retainers page explains the choices and how long they are worn.
Life with braces
Eating. Hard, sticky and chewy foods break brackets and bend wires: ice, hard candy, popcorn, nuts, caramel, whole apples and corn on the cob. Cut hard food into small pieces and chew with the back teeth. Everything else is fine.
Cleaning. Braces trap food and plaque, and teeth that are not cleaned well around brackets come out of treatment with white marks on the enamel that do not go away. Brush after every meal, angling the brush above and below the brackets, use a small interdental brush around them, and floss daily with a floss threader or a water flosser. We show you how, and we check at every visit. Your regular cleanings with the hygienist continue throughout treatment.
Discomfort. Soreness for a few days after the braces go on and after some adjustments is normal; soft food and an over-the-counter pain reliever, if your doctor allows it, take care of it. Brackets can rub the lips and cheeks at first. Orthodontic wax pressed over the bracket stops it, and the mouth toughens up within a couple of weeks.
Sports and instruments. Wear a mouthguard made for braces for any sport where a blow to the face is possible; brackets cut badly in a collision. We make them, and our athletic mouthguards page explains how. Wind and brass players adjust within a week or two, with wax over the front brackets at first.
When something breaks
A loose bracket, a bent wire or a wire poking the cheek is a nuisance rather than an emergency.
- Cover the spot with wax.
- Do not try to cut or re-attach anything.
- Call the office. We will tell you whether it can wait until your next visit or should be seen sooner.
A broken appliance left for weeks slows treatment down, so do call.
How long, and how it ends
Treatment length depends on how far the teeth and bite have to move and on how consistently appointments, elastics and instructions are kept. Many cases fall somewhere between one and two years; some simpler ones are shorter and some complex ones longer. Dr. Hong gives you a realistic range at the consultation. Treatment ends when the teeth and the bite are where the plan put them, which is why the estimate is a range. The braces come off in a short, painless visit, and then the retainers take over. Our retainers page explains what that means.
Adults in braces
Adults are a growing share of orthodontic patients. Clear brackets make braces discreet, and adult bone moves teeth more slowly, so treatment can take a little longer. Adults often have crowns, implants or gum history that shape the plan, and those cases are planned together with Dr. Kottar. Our adult orthodontics page covers what is different.
Frequently asked questions
Why would an orthodontist recommend braces over Invisalign?
Because some movements and some bites are more predictable with braces: large rotations, teeth that have to move vertically, complex bite corrections, and cases in growing children that need other appliances. Braces also do not depend on anyone remembering to wear them.
Are clear braces as strong as metal?
Ceramic brackets are a little more fragile than metal ones and are usually a little larger, and the clear ties can stain with coffee or curry between visits. For most cases they work just as well; Dr. Hong will say if yours is one where metal is the better choice.
How long will I have braces?
Often somewhere between one and two years, depending on how far the teeth have to move and how well appointments and instructions are kept. You get a realistic range at the consultation rather than a promise.
Do braces hurt?
Teeth are sore for a few days after the braces go on and after some adjustments, and the brackets can rub the lips and cheeks at first. Over-the-counter pain relief, soft food and orthodontic wax get most people through it. The soreness fades as you adjust.
What if a bracket comes loose or a wire pokes?
Call the office. A loose bracket or a poking wire is not an emergency, but it should be seen within a few days so the plan stays on track. Orthodontic wax over the spot keeps you comfortable in the meantime. Do not try to re-attach or cut anything yourself.
Can I play sports in braces?
Yes, with a mouthguard made for braces. Brackets cut lips and cheeks badly in a collision, and a guard designed to sit over them protects both the mouth and the appliance. We make them.
