How do braces straighten crooked teeth?

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your "ideal" bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment.

The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind.

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day.

Different Types of Braces

Metal braces are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of ligature ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before.

Translucent ceramic braces are also available. Yet, because they are a ceramic material, they are more fragile, there is more friction and therefore treatment usually takes longer.

The clear "plastic type" of braces you have seen advertised on TV have not provided the quality of treatment that Dr. Way finds acceptable. He is fully aware that these services are being offered in our community but he has chosen not to use an "appliance" that provides inferior results, costs more with longer treatment times.

Elastics

Anterior Box

Special hooks have been added to your brackets so that you can wear and "Anterior Box." If you ever look in the mirror at your two front teeth on the top, move one over and you will find your laterals. This is where the hooks have been added. Your laterals are right next to your front teeth on the bottom as well. Connect your rubber band or "elastic" to each of the new hooks creating a box. It may feel tight, but you will get used to it. If you ever forget how to wear your rubber bands, just call ad one of the technicians will be happy to help you over the phone. If you ever lose or run out of rubber bands call us right away and we will get you some more.

How to wear class II rubber bands

Find your two front teeth on the top, count these each as number one. Go to the right 1,2,3 here you will find your first hook. Place your rubber band on the first hook on the top and stretch it to the very last hook on the bottom. Your last hook on the bottom may be on a band-that's okay. Do the same on the left side. If you ever lose your rubber bands or forget how to wear them please call us! We are here to help!

How to wear class III rubber bands

Find your two front teeth on the bottom, count these each as number one. Go to the right 1,2,3 here you will find your first hook. Place your rubber band on the first hook on the bottom and stretch it to the very last hook on the top. Your last hook on the top may be on a band-that's okay. Do the same on the left side. If you ever lose your rubber bands or forget how to wear them please call us. We are here to help!

How to wear Double Triangles

To wear double triangles you will have two rubber bands or "elastics" on each side of your mouth. Start with your front tooth on the top and count 1,2,3 until you find your canine or eye tooth. This bracket will have a hook on it. Hook your elastic on the first hook on the top and then on the first and second hook on the top. This will form a triangle. Now start with the second hook on the top and connect the elastic to the second and third hook on the bottom. This will form a triangle. Now start with the second hook on the top and connect the elastic to the second and third hook on the bottom, creating a second triangle. Repeat this on the other side of your mouth. If you ever forget how to wear your elastics, just call and one of the technicians will be happy to help you over the phone. And if you run out of elastics or lose them let us know right away so we can get you more.

Elastic Wear after the Hilgers Appliance

Single Triangle Elastics	Double Triangle Elastics

Now that your hilgers appliance has been removed, wearing your elastics, rubber bands, is VERY important! The hilgers appliance has moved your molars back, and now the rubber bands are necessary to move your other teeth. If you do not wear your rubber bands exactly the way that you are shown, we will lose everything that was gained. If that happens, your appliance will have to be put back in, or in some cases you may have to wear head gear! So, PLEASE WEAR YOUR RUBBER BANDS.