Types of Braces

Patients of all ages choose braces as a form of orthodontic treatment to correct crowding, gaps, or misalignment in the teeth, as well as bite problems. Braces work to gently apply a pressure to your teeth, helping them move into a more desirable position. At Johnson Orthodontics, we offer multiple types of braces suited for any of your ortho needs:

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of orthodontic solution among patients. Typically made of high-grade stainless steel, these braces help align your teeth using three main components:

• Brackets - A bracket is bonded to the tooth surface using a special dental adhesive.
• Archwires - The archwire is the thin metal wire that helps connect each bracket to the next.
• Ligature Elastics (rubber bands) - These rubber bands are used to help guide and hold the archwires in place within the brackets. They come in a large range of colors, giving you the option to add your own personal touch to your braces. As your teeth continue to shift, we will periodically make adjustments to the braces to help further guide your teeth into the right positions.

Clear Braces

Clear braces are just like traditional braces but are made with unique clear or tooth-colored materials that allow them to blend effortlessly with the natural shade of your teeth. They are adjusted over time, similarly to traditional braces, so that they can better align your teeth. Clear braces are often sought after by teenagers and older patients who may have cosmetic concerns; however, they require more detail to maintenance due to their size and make. Because of this, clear braces are usually recommended for use on only the upper front teeth rather than the lower teeth.