Metal Braces | Twin Teeth Orthodontics

Traditional Treatment With a Modern Twist

Metal braces have come a long way from the bulky contraptions of the past. Modern braces from Twin Teeth Orthodontics can straighten your teeth while showing off your one-of-a-kind personality.

Los Angeles Braces

Metal braces are made of high-grade stainless steel and straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. Traditional metal braces are the most common type of treatment, but at Twin Teeth Orthodontics, you’ll get tons of ways to make them your own.

At Twin Teeth Orthodontics, you have the freedom to do you! You can add fun bracket shapes or colored elastics (rubber bands) with metal braces for a more unique and colorful smile. We also offer Iconix champagne braces to give you an aesthetic, classy option if you want something a little more special.

Modern metal braces have advanced and no longer require bulky headgear. Instead, Drs. Stepanek adhere the brackets directly to your teeth and connect them with wires that gradually straighten your smile.

Champagne Braces

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. You shouldn’t have to give up showing it off during your orthodontic treatment. At Twin Teeth Orthodontics, you can choose Iconix champagne braces for a unique look that you’ll love.

Champagne brackets are as durable as standard metal braces and discreet as ceramic ones. The unique color helps them blend in with your smile without being prone to breakage like ceramic brackets.

Metal Braces FAQ

How do braces work?

Before applying your brackets, the team at Twin Teeth Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Sometimes we’ll use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth.

If necessary, this process takes 10-15 minutes and provides a highly accurate 3D view of your mouth. Your orthodontist will use this information to create your customized treatment plan, including how each tooth needs to move to give you the best results.

Dr. Michelle and Dr. Christine will decide how to place the brackets based on the information we gather. Once we attach your brackets, your orthodontist will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth to create precise movements and guide your teeth into place.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you’ll have less irritation in your mouth.

Traditional metal braces at Twin Teeth Orthodontics come in more fun designs than ever—you can even choose the shape of your brackets! Whether you choose traditional metal, champagne, or fun shapes from WildSmiles, you’ll get comfortable, effective orthodontic care.

How long will I be in braces?

This is what everyone at our Los Angeles office wants to know, but it’s something that doesn’t have a concrete answer. Every mouth is unique, and every patient responds to treatment differently. Treatment time with metal braces at Twin Teeth Orthodontics will vary every time.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months, but it could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual and the treatment plan Dr. Michelle and Dr. Christine design for you.

We have some patients at Twin Teeth Orthodontics in braces for as few as six months, but it can take over three years to complete the process for complex issues.

With metal braces from Twin Teeth Orthodontics, you’ll see signs of improvement in just a short time, giving you confidence during the treatment process.

The Parts of Braces

Brackets

Drs. Stepanek use durable brackets made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.

Brackets have small hooks or doors where Dr. Stepanek will thread a wire. We secure brackets by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.

Glue

Drs. Stepanek will use special glue to attach the brackets to your teeth.

Wire

This thin metal runs from one bracket to another and guides your teeth into place as Drs. Stepanek change the shape.

The wire will often attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Elastics

If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. We generally string elastics between an upper and lower bracket hook.

This pulls your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. We use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.

Orthodontic Bands

We cement these stainless steel rings to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but Drs. Stepanek don’t always use them for everyone.

Spacers

Drs. Stepanek use these tiny elastic “donuts” or rings to create space between your teeth when needed, typically before we place your bands.

Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors

Drs. Stepanek use these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers, and they come in dozens of colors.