Braces are small brackets fixed to the teeth and joined by a wire. Adjusting that wire applies steady, controlled pressure, and the bone around each root remodels so the tooth moves into position. They remain the most predictable way to correct complex crowding and bite problems.
Ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured and far less obvious than metal ones, while working the same way. Metal braces remain the most cost-effective option and are often the practical choice for children and teenagers.
Because braces are fixed, they work whether or not you remember them, which is why they still outperform removable options in demanding cases and with younger patients.
What happens at your appointment
So there are no surprises: this is the sequence braces follows at Care Plus Dental Clinic.
Records and plan
Photographs, impressions and X-rays establish the position of the roots and the jaw relationship, and the plan and duration are explained.
Bonding the brackets
Brackets are bonded to each tooth and the first wire is placed. The appointment is longer than a normal visit but is not painful.
Adjustments
Periodic appointments change the wire and adjust the force as the teeth move through the planned stages.
Debonding
Once the teeth are in position the brackets are removed and the tooth surfaces cleaned and polished.
Retainers
Fixed or removable retainers hold the result. Without them the teeth drift back towards where they started.
Aftercare
What you do in the days after treatment affects the result as much as the appointment itself.
- Expect tenderness for a few days after fitting and after each adjustment; soft food helps.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods that break brackets: hard chikki, ice, sticky sweets, whole apples bitten into directly.
- Brush around every bracket carefully and use interdental brushes. Poor cleaning around braces leaves permanent white marks.
- Wax over any bracket rubbing the cheek, and call the clinic if a bracket comes loose.
Braces: common questions
How long will I have braces on?
Most comprehensive cases run between one and two years, though simple corrections can be shorter. Your estimate is given after the records are taken.
Ceramic or metal braces?
Ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured and much less visible; metal is stronger and lower cost. Both correct the same problems. It is usually a decision about appearance and budget.
Do braces hurt?
Fitting them does not hurt. The teeth feel tender for two to three days afterwards and after each adjustment, which normal pain relief handles.
Can adults have braces?
Yes. Adults are treated routinely. If visibility is the concern, ceramic braces or clear aligners are worth discussing.