North Shore Braces
Traditional braces have been around for a long time, and they're the gold standard of orthodontic treatment in Beverly, Salem, South Hamilton, Topsfield and the surrounding areas. With advancements in the orthodontic field, traditional braces from New England Orthodontic Specialists are not made with the same bulky materials as they had been in the past.
All About New England Orthodontic Specialists Braces
Metal braces have a bad rap for being awkward and obvious. But today, metal braces use smaller and sleeker brackets and lighter wires to improve their appearance.
Year after year, metal braces remain a top orthodontic treatment, thanks to their durability and reliability.
While metal braces might sound uncomfortable, the dental technology we use helps prevent irritation, so they're a more comfortable option than they used to be.
At New England Orthodontic Specialists, we use American Orthodontics Mini Masters Series brackets, which are smaller and smoother than other types of brackets, and feature an angled design that provides more precise and gentle control.
All of this means you'll enjoy a shorter, more comfortable treatment experience.
Because metal braces are so effective, you may start to see some small changes in your smile in a short time.
What Are Braces Made of?
Brackets
The brackets Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil use are durable and made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.
Brackets have little hooks or doors where Dr. Diana or Dr. Neil will thread a wire. The bracket can then be secured by closing the door or by placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Elastics
If Dr. Diana or Dr. Neil determines that you need bite correction, elastics are essential. They're generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook.
This will pull the upper jaw backward to correct an overbite or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite.
We 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're not used for everyone.
Dr. Diana or Dr. Neil will determine if your treatment will benefit from orthodontic bands at your initial consultation.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil will change the wire's shape and curvature 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.
Spacers
These small elastic "donuts" or rings can be used by Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil to create space between your teeth when needed, typically before bands are placed. They're also referred to as separators.
Glue
This is what Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil will use to attach the brackets to your teeth. It's common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.
Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors
These tiny rubber rings or bands are used to attach the archwire to the brackets. They're less rigid than spacers, and at New England Orthodontic Specialists, they come in dozens of colors.