Metal Braces | Gleason Orthodontics

Tried & True Treatment

At Gleason Orthodontics, we use fixed metal braces to give you a reliable and cost-effective treatment option, perfect for transforming your smile.

Braces

For most people, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is the reason for receiving orthodontic care. If you're self-conscious about your smile, correcting your concerns with braces will greatly improve the way you look and feel.

The most common type of braces at Gleason Orthodontics are metal braces. Patients around Webster find our metal braces are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable to wear than ever before.

When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you've always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and Dr. Gleason makes sure you receive the quality care you deserve.

Gone are the days when we’d place a metal band and bracket around each tooth. You can now choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, the color of your appliance.

Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials will move your teeth faster with more comfort. Today, any age is a great age to wear braces with Gleason Orthodontics!

What Are Braces Made of?

Brackets

The brackets Dr. Gleason uses are durable and made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.

Brackets have little hooks or doors where a wire is threaded. A bracket can be secured by closing the door or by placing an elastic over the top of the wire.

Glue

This is what Dr. Gleason uses to attach the brackets to your teeth. He’ll attach the bracket directly to your tooth with glue.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Gleason will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth in the right direction.

The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together in many cases. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Elastics

If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. They’re generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook.

This pulls your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. We use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.

Orthodontic Bands

Dr. Gleason cements these stainless steel rings to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but we don’t always use them for everyone.

Spacers

If we need to create space between your teeth, we put spacers on the job. Dr. Gleason uses these small elastic “donuts” or rings typically before we place your bands are placed. You might also hear them called “separators”.

Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors

Dr. Gleason uses these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers and you can get them in dozens of colors.

Metal Braces FAQ

How do metal braces work?

Before applying the brackets, Dr. Gleason and the team at Gleason Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we’ll use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth.

If necessary, this process takes 10-15 minutes and provides an extremely accurate 3D view of your mouth.

After the X-Ray and optional scan, Dr. Gleason will use this information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to be moved to get it in the best possible position.

Dr. Gleason will decide how to place the brackets based on this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to be tilted, the placement of those brackets will be different than the placement of brackets for teeth that need to be turned.

Once we attach your brackets, Dr. Gleason will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth. Most orthodontists like Dr. Gleason create precise movements using this bend in the wire.

How long will I be in braces?

Treatment time with metal braces at Gleason Orthodontics will be different every time, but it can last between one and three years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is.

A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.

Before beginning your orthodontic care, your doctor will discuss all of your options and provide an estimate for how long your full treatment may take. The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual and the treatment plan designed by Dr. Gleason.

We have some patients at Gleason Orthodontics in braces for as few as six months, but for complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.

With metal braces from Gleason Orthodontics in Webster, you’ll see signs of improvement in just a short time, and that gives you confidence during the treatment process.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

At Gleason Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in Webster and surrounding areas!

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, because of modern orthodontics, you’ll benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before.

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you’ll have less irritation in your mouth.

Traditional metal braces at Gleason Orthodontics also come with a fun new twist without any extra cost - you can customize them with pops of color. The elastics that fit around your brackets come in a wide variety of colors that let you showcase your personality whenever you want.

Pick your favorite color combination, the colors of your favorite sports team, or even your school colors! We also offer silver, gray, white, black, and tooth-colored elastics for patients seeking a more subtle look.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might. This can potentially shorten your treatment time.

Metal braces are cost-effective because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients around Webster year after year!