Metal Braces | Braces South Miami

Braces in South Miami, Pinecrest & Kendall

Strong & Sturdy

Traditional braces have a long history of success and they’re probably the most recognizable symbol of orthodontics in South Miami.

These orthodontic workhouses are a great solution for correcting many oral issues, even those that are more severe or complex.

What Are Braces Made of?

Brackets

The brackets Dr. Ross 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. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg will use to attach the brackets directly to your teeth.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg 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, but we may cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your unique treatment plan.

Elastics

If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. These are generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook. This pulls the upper jaw backward to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite.

Dr. Ross may use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.

Orthodontic Bands

These are stainless steel rings that are cemented to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands can provide an anchor for your braces and orthodontic appliances, but they are not used for everyone.

Spacers

These small elastic “donuts” or rings (also known as separators) can be used to create space in between your teeth when needed, typically before bands are placed.

Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors

Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg use these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. They’re less rigid than spacers and come in dozens of colors.

Metal Braces FAQ

How do braces work?

Before applying the brackets, Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg and our team will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth.

Sometimes we will 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. Ross will use the information to help create your personalized treatment plan, including how each tooth needs to be moved to put it in the best possible position.

Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg will determine 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 they attach your brackets, Dr. Ross and Dr. Rothenberg will insert the wire. Bends in the wire provide different types of pressure on different teeth. A bend in the wire is how Dr. Ross causes precise tooth movements.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious, but thanks to modern orthodontics, you will benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever.

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

Traditional metal braces 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, even your favorite South Florida school colors! We also offer silver, gray, white, black, and tooth-colored elastics for Pinecrest patients seeking a more subtle look.

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

Metal braces are a cost-effective option 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 Kendall, year after year!

Because metal braces get right down to work, you’ll be able to see some signs of progress in a relatively short period of time.

It may not seem like much, but sometimes seeing even a small improvement in your smile can give you an encouraging boost on your orthodontic journey at Orthodontics of South Miami.

How long will I be in braces?

This is what everyone around Kendall and Pinecrest wants to know, but it’s one thing we don’t have a certain answer for. Every case is different, and every patient in South Florida responds to treatment in their own way. That means your treatment length with metal braces will be different compared to someone else you know.

For our patients at Orthodontics of South Miami, the average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months, but could be shorter or longer, depending on the case.

Dr. Ross has some patients in braces for as little as six months, but for complex issues, it can take more than three years to complete the process.