Dr. Michael Riva Orthodontist

How Do Braces Work?

Braces DemoIn order to move teeth safely and with the minimum amount of discomfort, a gentle, continuous pressure must be applied to the teeth over an extended period of time. To accomplish this, braces (generally consisting of brackets and wires) are attached to produce a slight force on each tooth. The braces are affixed to the teeth with an adhesive that is strong, yet soft enough to allow removal of the braces without damage to the teeth. During orthodontic treatment, regular adjustments are made to maintain the directional pressure necessary for proper tooth movement. Click on the names in the picture for a brief description of the various components of braces.

 

  Arch wire:  This is the main wire that connects all the braces together on the outside of your teeth. It provides force to move the teeth and acts a track along which the teeth move. Arch wires are changed at least three times during the course of orthodontic treatment.

  O rings: These little rings, or donuts as they are often called, are used to attach the arch wire to the brackets. These rings come in standard gray or clear, but they also come in a wide variety of colours (see picture) to make braces more fun. O rings are changed frequently during orthodontics enabling patients to enjoy many different colour schemes. Coloured O rings


Regular Braces
Colored Braces

 

  Hooks:  These are small, blunt strips of wire attached to the braces that allow the patient to wear elastics from the top to the bottom teeth.

brace  Brackets:  Available in many different designs, they are small devices that are bonded (glued) to the teeth. They provide a strong, but not permanent, attachment to the tooth which allows the forces of the arch wire to be transmitted to the teeth.

  Elastics:  These are rubber bands which are often necessary during orthodontic treatment. When placed carefully by the patient, they provide added pressure (in addition to braces) to help move the teeth and jaws into better position. When worn faithfully, they have the ability to reduce treatment time with braces.