Project Description
Types of Braces

Metal Braces


Clear (Ceramic) Braces

Lingual Braces
What Are “Braces”
Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces, or braces) are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help to position them with regard to a person’s bite, while also working to improve dental health. They are often used to correct underbites, as well as malocclusions, overbites, crossbites, open bites, deep bites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Braces can be either cosmetic or structural. Dental braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws.
How Do Braces Work?
Whether using traditional braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic appliances, the mechanisms of how teeth move are still the same: gentle, continuous forces are used to activate cells in our mouth to undergo healthy bone turnover which allows the teeth to move to a new position in the bone. If forces used were too strong, or too heavy, there would be unhealthy bone turnover reactions and it would be harmful to your teeth. If that sounds complicated don’t worry, Dr. Odhner is an orthodontic specialist who is trained to understand the biology of tooth movement so that she can safely move your teeth.
- For braces, new wires are placed into the brackets at each appointment. Each new wire is programmed to create specific forces needed to move the teeth into their new position.
“Tighetning” Your Braces
Dr Odhner will see you about once every 6 weeks to adjust or ‘tighten’ the braces. What this means is that the previous wire is removed, and a new slightly stronger wire is put in its place. There is no actual tightening. The wires are held by color ties, which means you can pick new colors at each visit, or change your clear ties if you have chosen clear braces. Children and teens often change them for school spirit, upcoming holidays, or to match friends!