Metal Braces - Polk Orthodontics

Neighborly, Reliable Treatment

The most common type of braces at Polk Orthodontics are metal braces. These orthodontic workhorses have a long history of successfully straightening smiles at every age for patients all around Bartlett and the surrounding areas.

Bartlett Braces

At Polk Orthodontics, we offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in Bartlett and the surrounding areas.

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, because of modern orthodontics, you'll benefit from smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable brackets than ever before.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They apply constant pressure to your teeth to shift them into straighter positions in your mouth. Braces at Polk Orthodontics can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments.

Metal braces are cost-effective because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on your treatment plan from Dr. Polk.

What Are Braces Made of?

Brackets

Dr. Polk uses robust brackets, made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals, and has little hooks or doors where we thread a wire.

Dr. Polk secures your bracket by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.

Glue

With glue, Dr. Polk attaches the brackets to your teeth. It’s common practice to affix the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.

Elastics

Elastics are key for repositioning your teeth. They’re generally threaded between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook.

This pulls your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. We use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Polk alters the wire's shape and curvature to set your teeth in the correct 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.

Orthodontic Bands

Thanks to dental bonding agents, we cement these stainless steel rings to your teeth. The bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but we don’t always use them for everyone.

Spacers

Dr. Polk uses these tiny elastic “donuts” or rings to create space between your teeth when needed, typically before we place your bands. People also refer to them as "separators".

Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors

Dr. Polk uses these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers and you can get them in dozens of colors.

Metal Braces FAQ

How do braces work?

Before applying the brackets, Dr. Polk and the team at Polk Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we’ll 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. Polk will use this information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to be moved to get it in the best possible position.

Dr. Polk will decide how to place the brackets based on this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to tilt, Dr. Polk places those brackets differently compared to the brackets for teeth that need to be turned.

Once we attach your brackets, Dr. Polk will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth. Most orthodontists like Dr. Polk create precise movements using this bend in the wire.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

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

Traditional metal braces at Polk Orthodontics 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 school colors! We also offer silver, gray, white, black, and tooth-colored elastics for patients seeking a more subtle look.

How long will I be in braces?

This is what everyone around Bartlett wants to know, but it’s something we don’t have a concrete answer for. Every mouth is different and every patient responds to treatment in their own way. Treatment time with metal braces at Polk Orthodontics will be different every time.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual and the treatment plan designed by Dr. Polk.

We have some patients at Polk Orthodontics in braces for as few as six months, but for complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.

With metal braces from Polk Orthodontics, you’ll see signs of improvement in just a short time, and that gives you confidence during the treatment process.