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How Braces Work
- Braces are made of brackets affixed to the tooth to hold
the archwire in place, bonding material to hold the brackets
to the tooth and an archwire threaded through brackets to put
pressure on teeth. Rubberbands exert added force in a specific
direction.
- Orthodontists use brackets and wire to move teeth to their
desired position for proper jaw function and dental health.
- Treatment planning is essential for correct tooth movement
and for the long-term stability of your teeth.
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Braces Move Teeth
Braces work by putting pressure against the teeth, gradually moving
them into their desired positions over time. Pressure causes the
bone around the teeth to respond, allowing for movement. When your
teeth reach their destination, new bone growth supports them in
the new positions.
Orthodontists often use brackets and wire to move teeth.
The tiny brackets are made of metal or ceramic configured
with slots. The orthodontist bonds the brackets to
the teeth, using the slots to hold the archwire in
place along the outside of the teeth. The archwire
applies most of the pressure that moves teeth during
treatment. "Rubber" bands, actually made from surgical
latex, create additional pressure.
The orthodontist may adjust or replace the archwire
periodically to maintain the right amount of pressure
on the teeth. Traditionally, as a patient nears the
end of treatment, stainless steel wires are used to
fine-tune individual tooth positions. The stainless
steel wires are manually bent to make the final tooth-by-tooth
adjustments.
The majority of archwires
now are made from a heat-activated, nickel-titanium
alloy, originally developed by NASA to activate the
solar panels of spacecraft in orbit. At room temperature,
the wires are very flexible, so the orthodontist can
easily thread them into the brackets attached to the
teeth. When they warm to the temperature inside the
mouth, they lose their flexibility. The rigidity causes
gradual and constant pressure to be applied to the
teeth.
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