FIXED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Treatment with Metal / Clear Braces

The process of correcting the irregularities between teeth and jaws with fixed appliances is called fixed orthodontic treatment.

Fixed treatments involve aligning teeth in the correct positions using brackets and tubes, commonly known as "braces," which are attached to the teeth and superelastic memory wires that pass through them. In fixed treatments, these devices are bonded to nearly all teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Placing braces only in areas with misalignment or on a single jaw is not clinically ideal, as it reduces the area of support and makes it impossible to address the altered bite.

While the wires and mechanics are changed from time to time throughout your braces treatment, all systems are fixed. Therefore, to avoid breaking your brackets during treatment, it's recommended that you pay attention to what you eat and brush after every meal to prevent increased food retention.

Fixed braces can be performed with either metal brackets or aesthetically pleasing ceramic (clear) brackets. Ceramic braces utilize white-coated wires to enhance the aesthetic appearance. The results are the same for both treatments, but due to slightly greater friction with ceramic braces than metal braces, your treatment may take a few months longer than with metal braces.

The average working time for fixed appliances is 4-5 weeks. Therefore, your appointments will be scheduled accordingly. From simple to complex, the average duration of fixed orthodontic treatments is between 8 months and 2.5 years.

The following list includes things to consider in patients receiving fixed treatment.

Author: Dr. Desen KARABAĞLAR