How Braces Work in San Antonio, TX

If you’ve ever thought about getting braces, there is no doubt that you have questions about how they work. After all, it’s quite a feat to think that putting an appliance in your mouth can take misaligned teeth and correct them to be perfectly straight. But, it’s entirely possible, and the orthodontic industry has been perfecting the technique for decades now.

Many patients who are candidates for dental braces wonder how they work. The answer varies a bit depending on the type of smile corrector you choose to opt for. For many, it will be traditional dental braces. These braces are an example of impressive dental engineering. Metal braces wrap around the teeth and use continuous pressure to gradually shift them in a specific direction.

The orthodontic bands in metal braces are traditionally stainless steel, but these days you can also get them in clear or tooth-colored material to help them blend in. A dental bonding agent cements them to your teeth so that they can push and pull teeth into the correct position. Your bands can come off, in which case you’ll need to head to your orthodontist to have them reattached. Your orthodontist will adjust the tension of the braces over time as your teeth shift into the correct position.

The alternative to conventional metal braces is clear aligners. These clear aligners come in the form of clear trays, like that of a mouthguard. To align your teeth with clear aligners, you’ll visit an orthodontist who will design a range of trays. The first tray will be very close to that of your current smile. With each tray, your teeth will gradually shift straighter until they are perfectly aligned.

In either case, braces gradually correct the alignment of your teeth over many months. How long treatment takes depends on how out of alignment your teeth currently are. Have questions? Reach out to our office and schedule a free consultation with our orthodontist to answer any remaining questions you may have.

7915 Culebra Road
San Antonio, TX 78251

210-680-1550

culebradental@hotmail.com