Orthodontics is many times related to those “metal mouth” looks the patients have got. One of the “classical” ways to work on this treatment is to wear metal braces. These can have 2 systems to keep the brackets “closed”: by using elastic ligatures or by having the brackets “close” themselves through a new system. The latter ones are called “self-ligating” braces and we can give you as an example the most famous type: Damon.
In this article we’ll discuss about the “old style” braces, that have no self-ligating system, but are still widely used with great results. Even if they are not as “modern” as other orthodontic braces, their efficiency is good and many patients have got excellent results and straight teeth now. This type will also help us understand how the braces work in the end to make us have that wonderful smile.
Here is how metal braces look. Some people mistake and call the entire system “brackets”, but the bracket is one of the elements that go on each tooth, while the entire “collection” of brackets, arches and ligatures is what we call braces. We’ll also try to identify each element so that you can understand better:
1. Archwire – this is the “wire” that holds all elements in place. The arch goes from left to right and the brackets are connected to it. This element is of a huge importance since it’s the one to “force” the teeth into their proper position together with the elastics. At first the archwire looks “jagged” since the brackets are placed at the same distance from the end of the tooth. Since one tooth is placed higher than the other, the patien will have a “crooked” archwire. The wire tends to go to its original form, thus forcing the teeth to go up or down or rotate until they are all set.
2. The ligatures – at this “classical” type of braces, the brackets don’t have their own ligating system so we need ligatures to ‘tie” them to the archwire. Many patients chose a rainbow of possible colours thus making their braces look very nice. This is their chance to get creative.
3. Bracket - this is the “jewel” that’s getting stuck on your teeth by using a strong “glue” (bonder). The bracket will take the force from the artchwire and the elastics and “translate” it to the tooth. The brackets are different from one tooth type to the other so that they can all work the best they can for a perfect smile.
4. Elastics - these might get used in order to help with the jaw problems. They can be worn some hours a day or even permanently (this means few weeks, don’t get too scared). Many patients dislike them since they can speak with difficulty and it’s not pleasant, but they are an important part in their treatment and it’s a good idea to stick to it. The results make it worth the effort.
Together with these elements your orthodontist might also use others: buttons, mini-molds, powerchains etc. This choice is based on your own conditions and the complexity of your orthodontic case. For people with serious misalignments the “arsenal” can be quite serious.
What are the advantages of this system?
This is the less expensive treatment
All orthodontists can work with this
Most health insurance cover the treatment
they are strong and hard to “break”
they work very nicely and the results are amazing
you can already get gold-plated ones if you just want to feel different
the ligatures can really look nice, if you know how to blend the colours, while making your braces less dull and impersonal
What are the disadvantages?
such as in any metal brace type these braces are easily to spot
some patients dislike the “metal mouth” look
the ligatures can change colour (due to eating or drinking), especially the white ones
the first days in treatment are hard, but then it all solves nicely
many patients have mouth sores because of the brackets, this gets solved with dental wax and in some days you won’t have this problem anymore
there are more modern systems that would work faster or be more discreet
Still, for many orthodontic patients the metal braces with those colourful ligatures do an excellent job. A huge percentage of the people who are into this treatment still use this system with excellent results. In the end it’s not all about the braces, the patient is the one who can make or break a treatment.
Tibby the wax is applied where you feel discomfort from the braces or the archwire. You take a bit of a wax, make a “ball” from it and apply on the area.
# Metal braces with ligatures is an interesting and completely different from other types of braces. Even though the old braces does not have self-legating but still it is widely use worldwide. As compare with other braces they may not be modernize but their efficiency is good and got excellent result and straight teeth. These types of braces bring a good smile at the end of treatment.
It contains three elements like arch wire, ligatures, bracket and elastic. Having these three elements will help in different ways. I would go for metal braces if I have to wear as it is less expensive, it does not need licensed orthodontist hard to break, and more over
December 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
hello
i have brases and
i have a question
how do u apply the wax.
brases rock my world
i love them.
im etting close to getting them removed.
but i want to keep them.
i feel there a great accsesoris!
there fantabulus
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
Tibby the wax is applied where you feel discomfort from the braces or the archwire. You take a bit of a wax, make a “ball” from it and apply on the area.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:02 am
# Metal braces with ligatures is an interesting and completely different from other types of braces. Even though the old braces does not have self-legating but still it is widely use worldwide. As compare with other braces they may not be modernize but their efficiency is good and got excellent result and straight teeth. These types of braces bring a good smile at the end of treatment.
It contains three elements like arch wire, ligatures, bracket and elastic. Having these three elements will help in different ways. I would go for metal braces if I have to wear as it is less expensive, it does not need licensed orthodontist hard to break, and more over
October 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
cool i got braces too im only 12 but still i lopve them .. i got about 2 years ahead of me but i dont wanna get them removed