How Braces Are Made

Braces are incredible tools that an orthodontist will use to help someone correct the alignment of their teeth. Although people may not enjoy having these metal pieces put onto their teeth, they can correct a number of different dental problems. One of the most interesting parts of getting braces is how they are made and applied to a person's teeth. Here are some of the basics on how the process works.

First of all, a visit to the orthodontist will be needed in order for you to get some x-rays. After the x-rays, the dentist will need to make a few teeth impressions in order to customize the braces for your teeth and will probably need to put in some spacers. These spacers usually need to stay in your mouth for about two weeks or so and then with a return visit to the orthodontist will be taken out and braces will be applied.

Braces are usually made out of a few different materials including nickel-titanium, stainless steel, composite, or even porcelain. Once a material has been decided on, the orthodontist will apply the braces to either the top or the bottom teeth. He or she will usually only put on one set of braces per visit depending on how old you are and the treatment that you are going to need. During this process the orthodontist will use a special kind of glue that has some fluoride in it to help protect the teeth while holding the brace firmly in place.

After all of the metal and ceramic brackets have been placed, he or she will then get an archwire and weave it through the brackets in your teeth. The archwire will begin at the back teeth with a special knot and some extra glue. It is then taken through all of the brackets and secured into place with the use of either rubber bands or a putty. One of the things that newer braces have that set them apart from the older ones is that the wire is actually made of a titanium metal compound mixed with heat activated nickel. This allows the wire to be pretty flexible in normal temperatures so that you don't have to worry about it tugging as much. As the temperature in your mouth heats up they become more rigid and can help to pull the teeth where they need to go.

After the braces have been applied, they stay on for about two years or so with frequent visits to the office for checkups and alignment changes.

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