Orthodontics and Braces in Chandigarh

​

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anshu Gupta, MDS (Gold Medalist), PGIMER Chandigarh, September 2026

​

Orthodontic treatment moves teeth into better positions and corrects how the upper and lower jaws meet. Most cases take twelve to twenty-four months, and the options run from conventional metal braces through tooth-coloured ceramic brackets, self-ligating systems, braces fitted behind the teeth, and removable clear aligners. Which one suits you depends on what is being corrected, not on which is newest. Treatment is planned and carried out by Dr. Anshu Gupta, MDS (Gold Medalist), PGIMER Chandigarh at Advanced Dental Care Center, Sector 18-A.

The honest framing: braces are a long commitment, and almost everything about the experience, cost and result is decided at the planning stage rather than at the fitting.

​

What orthodontic treatment corrects

Crowding, where there is not enough room for the teeth. Gaps between teeth, covered further under closing spaces. Deep bite, where the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower. Open bite, where front teeth do not meet at all. Overjet, where upper front teeth sit too far forward. Underbite, where the lower jaw sits ahead of the upper. Crossbite, where upper and lower teeth meet the wrong way round. Each is described in more detail under types of orthodontic problems.

​

Straightness is not only cosmetic. Crowded teeth are harder to clean and collect plaque in places a brush does not reach, which is why untreated crowding often shows up later as gum problems or decay between teeth. A bite that does not meet evenly loads some teeth more than others, and over years that shows as wear, chipping or jaw discomfort.

​

The options

Metal braces

Small stainless steel brackets bonded to the front of each tooth, connected by a wire held in place with small elastic ligatures. They remain the most widely used system because they handle the widest range of cases, including the most complex, and they are the least expensive option. The ligatures come in a range of colours, which is usually a plus for younger patients. Expect some irritation to the lips and cheeks for the first week or two while the soft tissue adapts.

Ceramic or clear braces

Mechanically the same as metal braces, with tooth-coloured ceramic brackets instead of steel. They are far less noticeable at conversational distance while still being fixed to the front of the teeth. They are slightly more brittle than steel, so the treatment plan may be adjusted in cases needing heavy force. More detail is on the ceramic braces page.

Self-ligating braces

Brackets with a built-in sliding clip that holds the wire, so no elastic ligatures are needed. The wire moves more freely within the bracket, and appointments are often spaced six to eight weeks apart rather than every four. The brackets are smaller and trap less food. Claims that self-ligating systems dramatically shorten overall treatment are not well supported by evidence; the reliable benefits are fewer adjustment visits and easier cleaning.

Lingual braces

Brackets bonded to the inside surfaces of the teeth, so nothing is visible from the front. This suits adults whose work keeps them in front of people, and patients who want no visible appliance at all. Some lingual systems use custom brackets in a gold alloy, designed and produced with CAD/CAM from a scan or impression of your teeth, with wires bent robotically to your case.

Two honest caveats. Lingual braces are not suitable for every orthodontic problem, and they take more getting used to than front-fitted braces, particularly for speech in the first weeks and for the tongue. Fabrication also takes several weeks before fitting.

Clear aligners

Removable transparent trays worn twenty to twenty-two hours a day and changed on a schedule, including Invisalign. They are invisible in normal conversation and come out for eating and brushing, which makes cleaning far easier than with fixed braces. The catch is that they only work while they are in your mouth: results depend almost entirely on wearing them as prescribed. Detail is on the clear aligners page.

Active retainers

A removable retainer fitted with small springs, suitable where only minor movement of the front teeth is needed. Treatment time is short and the appliance is discreet. This is a narrow option, not an alternative to braces for a real alignment problem.

Accelerated systems

Several branded systems, including triangular-bracket designs marketed as fast braces, claim substantially shorter treatment. They can genuinely suit certain simple cases. What we will not do is quote a headline treatment time from a manufacturer's marketing as though it applied to your teeth. Biology sets the pace at which bone remodels around a moving tooth, and it is not a function of bracket shape.

​

How braces move teeth

Gentle continuous pressure from the wire causes the bone on one side of the root to resorb while new bone forms on the other, allowing the tooth to move through the jaw and then stabilise in its new position. That process is what sets the timeline: force it and you risk root damage and loose teeth. More on the mechanics is on how braces work.

​

How long treatment takes

Most comprehensive cases take twelve to twenty-four months, with simple alignment sometimes finishing in six to nine and complex bite correction running beyond two years. What actually moves the timeline is how far the teeth have to travel, whether the bite is being corrected as well as the alignment, whether extractions are needed, your age, and, for aligners and elastics, how consistently you wear them.

Adjustments are every four weeks for conventional braces and every six to eight for self-ligating systems. Aligner reviews are generally every six to ten weeks.

​

What orthodontic treatment costs

There is no single figure, because there is no single treatment. Cost depends on which system you choose, how long your case runs, whether one or both arches are treated, whether extractions or auxiliary appliances are needed, and the retainers afterwards. Metal braces are the least expensive option, ceramic sits above them, and lingual and aligner treatment sit at the top because both involve custom laboratory fabrication for your teeth specifically.

After your consultation, records and assessment, you receive a written treatment plan stating the appliance, the expected duration, the appointment schedule and the total cost, before treatment begins. Bring any quotes from other clinics and we will go through what each includes, since payment schedules and whether retainers are included vary considerably.

​

Retainers, the part people skip

Teeth move for life. After active treatment, retainers hold them in the corrected position while the bone and the fibres around each root settle, and long-term night-time wear is what keeps the result. Relapse after orthodontic treatment is common and is almost always a retainer problem rather than a treatment failure. Ask any clinic you are considering whether retainers are included in the quoted fee and what replacements cost, because this is where quotes quietly differ.

​

Children and teenagers

A first orthodontic assessment is recommended by about age seven. Not because treatment usually starts then, but because that is when the first permanent molars and incisors are in place and a developing problem can be identified. Early assessment lets treatment be timed rather than rushed.

​

Where a problem is caught early, interceptive treatment can guide jaw growth, create space for permanent teeth, and correct crossbites and habits before they become harder to treat. In some cases it reduces or removes the need for later extractions or surgery. More is on the pages for orthodontics for children, treatment for teenagers, prevention and myofunctional therapy.

​

​

Signs worth an assessment: early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, crowded or blocked-out teeth, jaws that shift or make sounds, biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth, and jaws or teeth that look out of proportion to the face.

​

Adults

There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment, and adults are a growing share of cases. Teeth move at any age; adult treatment sometimes takes longer because growth can no longer be used to help, and it is planned around any existing crowns, bridges, implants or gum condition. Gum disease must be controlled first, since moving teeth in inflamed tissue causes damage, which is covered under periodontics. Options and considerations are on the adult orthodontics page.

​

Where alignment is being done ahead of cosmetic treatment, moving teeth first usually gives a better and more conservative result than covering them, because it preserves more of your own tooth. That sequencing is discussed under smile design.

​

Living with braces

Expect soreness for a few days after fitting and after each adjustment, easing as the teeth settle. Avoid hard and sticky foods, which break brackets and cost you an unplanned visit. Cleaning takes longer and matters more, because decalcification marks around brackets are permanent and are the most common avoidable problem in orthodontic treatment. If a bracket comes loose or a wire starts digging in, call rather than waiting for the next appointment.

​

Patients travelling for treatment

Orthodontic treatment is the one service here that fits dental tourism badly, because it needs regular adjustments over many months rather than a concentrated block of appointments. If you are travelling to Chandigarh for other treatment and want orthodontics as well, tell us early so it can be assessed honestly. Sometimes the right answer is to start treatment where you live. Everything else about travelling for care is in the dental tourism FAQ.

​

What we will not promise

We will not tell you which appliance you need, how long your case will take, or what it will cost without records and an examination. We will not quote a manufacturer's treatment time as if it were yours. And we will tell you when treatment is not worth doing, or when a problem is better solved another way.

​

Common questions

How much do braces cost in Chandigarh?

It depends on the appliance, the length of treatment and whether one or both arches are treated. Metal braces are the least expensive, with ceramic above them and lingual and clear aligners at the top. You receive a written cost for your own case after the consultation and records.

How long will I have to wear braces?

Usually twelve to twenty-four months. Simple alignment can finish sooner; correcting a bite takes longer.

Do braces hurt?

Fitting itself does not. Expect soreness for a few days afterwards and for a day or two after each adjustment, and some lip and cheek irritation in the first couple of weeks.

Are clear aligners as effective as braces?

For many cases, yes, provided they are worn twenty to twenty-two hours a day. Complex bite corrections and certain rotations are still handled more predictably with fixed braces. You will be told which category your case falls into.

Can I have braces if I have crowns or implants?

Usually yes, with planning. Implants do not move, so they are treated as fixed points in the plan. Crowned teeth can be moved, though bonding brackets to some crown materials needs a different technique. Bring details of any existing work to the consultation.

Will I need teeth extracted?

Not always. Extractions are considered where there is significant crowding or where the front teeth need to move back substantially. Expansion and other techniques can create space in many cases. This is decided from your records, not from a glance.

What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?

The teeth drift back, sometimes noticeably within months. Retention is not optional; it is the last and longest phase of treatment.

Can adults get braces?

Yes, at any age, provided the gums and supporting bone are healthy. Gum disease is treated first.

How often will I need appointments?

Every four weeks with conventional braces, every six to eight with self-ligating systems, and every six to ten weeks for aligner reviews.

​

Arranging a consultation

An orthodontic consultation includes an examination, photographs and the records needed to plan properly. Bring any previous X-rays and, for children, a note of when the baby teeth were lost. Completed cases are in the orthodontics gallery.

​

This page is general information about orthodontic treatment. It is not a diagnosis. What your case needs can only be determined after an examination and orthodontic records.