Braces are the go-to orthodontic treatment for most children and adults due to the wide variety of cases that they can treat. Braces from Rawle Orthodontics near Maitland, FL, help properly align the teeth and jaw. This makes for better oral health and mechanical function of the mouth, as well as a beautiful, straight smile. Many people are eager to get the smile of their dreams, but really have no idea how braces are actually applied to straighten the teeth. Rawle Orthodontics likes to inform our patients about the mechanics behind braces so that you can better understand how to get the most successful results from your treatment with us.

How Braces Work

Braces are composed of several parts, which all work together to move the teeth by applying gentle and consistent pressure. While the parts of the braces collectively work to guide the bone and teeth to the proper positioning, they each play their own specific role as well. The brackets are the small square pieces that attach firmly to the front of the teeth. The brackets act as an anchor for the archwires. The archwires are the metal wires that stretch over the row of teeth, and they are gradually adjusted to guide the movement of the teeth. The elastics or rubber bands, if you have them, are attached to hooks and work between the upper and lower teeth to achieve proper alignment of the teeth and jaw. All of these components together allow braces from Rawle Orthodontics to help patients near the Maitland, FL area attain a straight set of teeth and better alignment. A little pressure goes a long way!

How Retainers Work

Retainers from Rawle Orthodontics are a hugely important part of orthodontic treatment near Maitland. Retainers come in many shapes and sizes and can be removable or permanent. Once the braces come off, the teeth will begin to shift back to their original position. Retainers stabilize the bones and gums so that the teeth stay firmly in their beautiful new alignment. Retainers at times may feel like they are applying the same pressure as braces since they are forcing teeth to stay put, but the discomfort will go away and your smile will stay straight and beautiful.

How to Get These Orthodontic Appliances to Work for You

Now that you have a general idea about how orthodontic treatment works, you may be wondering what they can do for you. With braces, Dr. Rawle can solve a wide range of orthodontic problems without having to extract any teeth. If you suffer from overbite, underbite, open bite, or other malocclusions, braces can be your solution. Braces can also help to increase your oral health. By having straight teeth, less food and bacteria will become trapped, lowering the risk of gum disease. Additionally, better bites aid with proper chewing mechanics and lead to better jaw health.

If braces sound like they might be a good fit for you, please feel free to set up a free consultation with Rawle Orthodontics with our team. Dr. Rawle will meet with you to assess your specific needs and will help create an orthodontic treatment plan that will suit your goals and your lifestyle. The first step toward a better smile in Maitland, FL is just a call away.