Conventional Fixed Appliances

Fixed appliances are metal or clear or tooth colored ceramic brackets that are bonded onto the front surface of each tooth. Patients may also need metal bands around their back teeth for more support. Those patients being treated with conventional metal braces have a choice of silver or gold tone.

The brackets serve as an anchor point for each tooth. A wire is inserted into the braces and is secured with tiny elastics called ligatures. The secured wire creates the force needed to move the teeth into the desired position. Patients will have their choice of over 30 different colors of ligatures at each appointment, including clear and even glow in the dark!

Patients with conventional braces will typically be seen in our office for adjustment visits every 4-6 weeks. A typical adjustment appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes but may vary with the scheduled procedure. During these visits, the doctor will monitor progress, change wires as needed, or place additional brackets. Longer appointments may occasionally be needed for more involved procedures.

While in treatment with braces, please remember to visit your dentist for an exam and cleaning every 6 months.

Once treatment has been completed, the patient will be fitted for a set of retainers. Retainers are appliances worn after braces have been removed to prevent teeth from moving out of their new positions. It is very important that retainers are faithfully worn as prescribed by the doctor. We usually see our patients in retention at 6-month intervals in order to monitor the stability of each patient's treatment result. We want to help insure that our patients keep the beautiful smile we created!