How Exactly Do Braces Work?

Braces are the go-to solution for crooked teeth, especially in kids and teens. No doubt you’ve seen your friends wear them and have seen how their teeth changed over time. Once you understand how braces work, though, you’ll find them easier to deal with.
The Basic Process
Brackets, usually made of metal, are cemented onto the front surface of each tooth. Wires are threaded through the middle of each bracket and locked into place with small rubber bands placed on each bracket. At each appointment, the wires are changed.
The wires will feel tight after each change. Each new wire is installed and adjusted so that the resulting force guides your teeth a little closer toward their desired placements. (The brackets simply connect the wires to individual teeth.) The pressure from the wires can move teeth horizontally and vertically.
Now for the fun part, your teeth aren’t actually sitting directly in bone. They are connected to the bone in your jaw with ligaments. When the ligaments are stretched or compressed as the tooth is pulled in one direction or another, your body adjusts the bone in the jaw by actually removing some of the bone cells on one side and adding bone cells on the other. It’s a slow process, which is why each wire change is done in increments.
When your teeth reach the desired placements, it’s time to get the braces off. You may have them taken off in stages or all at once. After that, you’ll get retainers to wear to help keep your teeth from moving out of alignment.
Timing and Care for Your Braces
How long you have to have the braces on varies. A typical time frame is a couple of years; you may end up with a longer or shorter time depending on how cooperative your teeth are.
Caring for braces involves being very careful about what you eat. You don’t want to eat hard items that could knock one of the brackets off your teeth, nor do you want to eat very sticky items that could get caught in the bracket/wire assemblies. Brush and floss regularly and use disclosing tablets to expose hidden plaque.
Dr. Scott Runnels Orthodontics has locations in Destin and Inlet Beach, Florida. If you’ve been told you need braces and have been wondering, “How do braces work?” Dr. Runnels and his staff can answer all your questions. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!