Braces for teeth are a proven method to correct crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth, gaps between teeth, and misaligned bites. Modern braces for teeth are smaller, more comfortable and offer shorter treatment durations.

Metal brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth with a wire threaded through them. Ligatures, which are either stainless steel or elastic, connect the wire to the brackets.

Brackets

Brackets are bonded to the center of each tooth and hold an arch wire that connects them. The wire puts pressure on the teeth to help them move and improve the bite.

Misaligned or crowded teeth can cause hard-to-reach spots where food and bacteria build up. This can lead to poor dental health and increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Braces also improve chewing and digestion by helping to correct bite issues such as an overbite, underbite or crossbite. They can also address speech issues such as lisps or difficulty pronouncing certain words by shifting the positioning of the teeth and jaws.

Arch Wires

Arch wires are used to help gently guide teeth into their desired positions. They are adjusted regularly throughout treatment to continue exerting an appropriate amount of pressure. During these adjustment appointments, it is normal for a patient to experience some discomfort. This is usually temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

There are several types of arch wires available today. Some have shape memory properties and are very flexible, making them ideal for the initial stages of treatment when a lot of gentle force is needed to correct misalignments. Other arch wires are more rigid and designed for more precise movement of individual teeth.

Elastic Ligatures

Elastic ligatures are rubber bands that attach to bracket hooks, and they help exert pressure to close spaces between teeth or move groups of teeth together. They are also critical to speeding up the process of correcting bite problems.

SEM analyses of transparent latex and grey polyurethane ring-shaped elastic ligatures showed that they endure significant volumetric and structural changes during clinical use, indicative of early degradation and loss in functionality.

Single elastic ligatures lose strength and must be replaced at each adjustment appointment. For best results, make sure the elastics are attached tightly, using your index and thumb to place them around the hooks.

Power Chains

Power chains consist of multiple elastic ligatures joined together in a chain-like fashion. They do away with the need for individual bracket elastics and can help resolve crooked or crowded teeth more quickly.

These elastic rings exert continuous pressure on specific teeth to close gaps, align and expedite movement. They are often used in conjunction with braces to correct a malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and bite.

Food can get stuck around power chains and ligatures, so patients should brush their teeth after meals and floss or use a water irrigator daily to remove any food. They can also break, so patients should contact their orthodontist promptly if they notice a problem.

Ligature Wires

Ligatures are used to attach elastic bands to brackets, which help to close gaps between teeth or fix bad bites. Portland orthodontists use different types of ligatures depending on your needs.

Self-ligating (tie-less) braces have a specialized door or clip that holds the archwire instead of an elastic band. This helps reduce pressure on the teeth and allows for more comfortable treatment.

This study analyzed the stiffness and strength of different stainless steel ligatures. The findings showed that the ST10 ligature offered the best stability for adequate tip control in anterior teeth during lingual orthodontic treatment. It also had a higher maximal moment value than the other investigated elastomer ligatures.

Coil Springs

The metal arch wires used in orthodontic treatment are incredibly strong. They are designed to deliver the necessary force to your teeth to correct them and ensure that they remain properly aligned.

The brackets have horizontal slots into which the arch wire fits. A ligature, a tiny rubber band or a twisted wire, holds the archwire in place inside the slot of each bracket.

A ligature can be made of stainless steel or elastic ties that come in fun colors. These ligatures are changed during each adjustment appointment. Power chains put pressure on teeth in different areas and directions to close gaps or reshape narrow teeth.