The Braces: How They
and How They Feel
common parts of braces
What is an
The arch wire
is the metal wire that goes across your braces, from one end
of your mouth to the other. You have two arch wires; one on
top and one on bottom. The pressure from the arch wire is
what helps to move your teeth.
What is a
(also called an "o-ring") is a tiny elastic that
holds the arch wire onto each bracket of your braces.
Ligatures come in a variety of colors. Some brackets are
"self-ligating," which means that they do not need
the little elastics to hold the arch wire onto the brackets
-- instead they have a "sliding door" system for keeping the
arch wire attached to the bracket.
do I need to have spacers put in before braces?
there isn't enough space between certain teeth to insert a
metal band or other appliance. Spacers help move the teeth
slightly to create space that is needed for your treatment.
For more information, read What are
How do braces
In a nutshell,
the ligament surrounding the teeth is loosened, allowing the
teeth to move. For a more detailed explanation, and
illustrations of the parts of braces, read How
Do Braces Work?
Is there a
big difference between metal and ceramic braces?
All the pros
and cons are outlined in What
Type of Braces are Best? Also, visit ArchWired's Links
Why are there hooks on
Hooks are for attaching
elastics (rubber bands). At some point in your
treatment, your orthodontist may tell you to wear rubber
bands that attach from a hook on the top brackets to a
hook on the bottom brackets. Elastics help to close up
your bite and correct things like midline problems. This
all refers to the way your top and bottom teeth meet and
align with each other.
Why are there little
tubes on my
tubes (often called "buccal tubes") on your molar
brackets may be used for attaching an appliance like
headgear or a facebow. Don't be alarmed -- just because
you have them, it doesn't mean that you are going to get
headgear or a facebow! Some molar brackets have the
tubes "by default." My molar brackets had tubes but they
were never used for anything in the three years I had my
How long have
braces been around?
Braces, in one
form or another, have been around since ancient times! For
an interesting article about the history of braces, read
A Short History of Braces and
Do braces hurt
when they are on your teeth?
Yes, at first
they do. For me, it felt like I had been hit in the teeth
with a baseball -- but everyone's experience is different. Your teeth
will ache to some extent and your gums will probably get sore in specific
places. This is because
your teeth are not used to the pressure, and your cheeks are
not used to the metal or ceramic rubbing against them.
wearing braces for a few weeks, the pain and discomfort
begin to diminish. You can use dental wax and topical
anesthetic to help create a barrier between the braces and
any sores that develop on your gums (the sores usually heal
within a few weeks). You can also use a lip protector.
a few months, pain is less of an issue, and it goes away.
even forget that you're wearing braces! Your teeth may also hurt
again for several days after your monthly adjustment, but by
then you're used to it and it doesn't bother you as much.
How long will
braces cause pain and discomfort?
When you first
get braces on, your teeth will hurt or you may be in some
amount of discomfort for several weeks. After
about a month, it is better. In a few months, you may even
forget that you are wearing them. Within 3 months you will
be able to eat almost
anything you like. In six months, you might even be biting
into hard cookies, chips, and crusty bread once again. Eat
these things in moderation and always be careful.
"Forbidden" foods and soft foods are mentioned in the next
I just got my
braces recently and my teeth feel loose. Why? Is it OK?
periodontal ligament, which helps to hold your teeth in
place, is loosening up. Yes, this is perfectly normal,
although it is very disconcerting. The teeth should stop
feeling loose after a few weeks. If you're very concerned
about it, or if the teeth feel loose for months on end, talk
to your dentist about it.