There is one type of metal brace which doesn't use colored bands. Here is a short video showing how a dentist fixes the archwire in place using ligatures: If your braces need inter-arch elastics you will need to learn to fit these yourself as they have to be replaced several times a day. They are less commonly offered in different colors, but they are usually placed on the sides of the mouth so are less visible. These are known as ‘inter-arch elastics' and look more like the rubber bands you would use at home. They are connected to special hooks on the brace brackets.

This is more often the case with children's braces.

Larger rubber bands may also be placed between the upper and lower jaw to help with alignment. Ligatures are usually available in a wide range of colors.ĭentists use a special tool to fit and remove these little bands, as you'll see in the video below. The wire plays a big part in controlling how your teeth move, so those elastics have an important job to do. These are also known as ‘ligatures' or ‘o-rings'. Tiny elastic bands are placed on each of the metal brace brackets to hold the archwire in place. There are two main kinds of orthodontic elastics used in braces, and each has its own purpose. Treatment with colored braces usually takes 18-24 months, depending on how misaligned your teeth are. The actual fitting shouldn't hurt but your teeth may feel uncomfortable for a few days afterward, and after each subsequent adjustment. It will take one or two hours to fit your braces, but each checkup will only be about 20 minutes. The orthodontist tightens the wire in different places to gradually pull your teeth into alignment. Nowadays with modern technology there are many different types of dental treatments available, one of which is oral surgery or orthodontics.Your orthodontist attaches a metal bracket to each tooth with a strong dental cement, then connects the brackets with a wire called an ‘archwire'. And I know how good it feels when other people compliment you on how nice your smile looks 🙂 Having pretty teeth is so important to me because it makes me feel happier and more confident in myself. I can’t wait for the day when I get my braces off!įor me, the best thing about my braces is that they make me smile more. My teeth are looking much better now that I am getting closer to the end treatment stage. I have been wearing braces for 12 months now and I have had my teeth cleaned and polished recently at my orthodontic check-up. Some people like to wear the traditional metal braces, and some prefer the ceramic braces as they are less noticeable. When it comes to choosing your braces color, you have many choices.

Braces color wheel generator