Traditional Braces in Providence

Traditional braces rely on a system of brackets and wires that are glued to your teeth with an adhesive and connected by the wire that is tightened about every 4-6 weeks so the steady pressure can gradually straighten your teeth and align your jaw. There are some modern versions made with metal or ceramic instead of plastic brackets. The metal or ceramic brackets are individually bonded to each tooth and connected by a wire that runs between them.

These types of braces can help with treating a wide variety of dental concerns including but not limited to crooked teeth, crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, etc.

Treatment with traditional braces varies from patient to patient depending on each different case. Most treatments last between 18 to 24 months, but some may take longer. The orthodontist will be working closely with each patient to provide adjustments, monitor progress, and communicate with you each step of the way.

The process of getting the braces on does not hurt, but it is natural to feel some discomfort and soreness in the next couple of days. The discomfort and soreness are temporary and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Good oral hygiene is the key to caring for your braces. Make sure you are brushing and flossing at least twice a day or more if you can, this will help remove unwanted food particles and plaque around the brackets and under the wires.

Braces are not just for kids and teens, but are for adults too! It’s never too late to get braces if you are looking to align your teeth and perfect your smile.

You should avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods, these will damage the brackets and wires. An example of some foods to avoid would be popcorn, nuts, hard candies, gum, etc. You are still okay to eat hard fruits, but make sure to cut them into smaller pieces to avoid damaging the braces.

For speaking, there may be an adjustment period where things might feel different, but this is temporary. For sports, we do recommend wearing a mouth guard to avoid injury to the inside of your mouth or the braces.

Usually, adjustments will be every 4-8 weeks depending on the treatment. The checkups and adjustments are important to attend as this is how the orthodontist will monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.

After braces are removed, you will be given a custom retainer to maintain the position of your newly straightened teeth and keep them from moving back. The orthodontist will provide you with care instructions so the retainer will last.