If you think you or your child may need braces in Columbia, SC, please call our office to schedule a consultation.

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your "ideal" bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want your smile to look after treatment.

The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves and new bone grows in behind the tooth.

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed at least three times a day.

Different Types of Braces

Braces (called fixed appliances because they are attached to the teeth) are small metal brackets.
Metal braces are the most popular with kids and teenagers. They love using different colors of elastic ligatures or o-ties. These braces are much smaller than ever before.

Translucent (clear) ceramic braces are the most popular with adults. You have to be very close to someone to be able to see them. Yet, because they are a ceramic material, they are more fragile.

“Invisible braces” are called Invisalign. Invisalign technology uses 3-D computer graphics to design and manufacture custom orthodontic appliances called aligners. They are virtually undetectable, easy-to-use and comfortable to wear.

Growth Modification Appliances

There are many types of growth modification appliances or functional appliances that orthodontists use. The most common types are the headgear, Herbst, MARA.