People will notice.
A bracket on each tooth, joined by a wire that is changed every few weeks.
It moves teeth the others cannot. That is why it is still the one we reach for.
Fixed metal braces
Treatments / Fixed metal braces
Fixed metal braces
Brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by a wire. The most predictable way to move teeth, and the option that handles the difficult cases.
What it costs
What you pay depends on whether one arch or both need treating. The exact figure is in your written plan before you start.
How it works
A small bracket is bonded to each tooth and a wire runs through them. The wire is changed every few weeks; each change asks the teeth to move a little further. Nothing is forced, and the process is slow on purpose — bone needs time to rebuild around a tooth in its new position.
What to expect
The first few days are the strangest: the teeth feel tender and the lips take a week or so to get used to the brackets. After that most people forget they are there.
- Adjustments every 6 to 10 weeks
- Typical treatment runs 12 to 24 months
- Cleaning takes longer and matters more than usual
- Hard and sticky food will pull a bracket off, and that means an extra visit
After treatment
Teeth drift back if nothing holds them. Retainers are part of the treatment, not an optional extra, and they are worn for as long as you want the result to last.
Questions
What people ask
Does it hurt?
It aches for two or three days after each adjustment, in the way a bruise aches. Ordinary painkillers deal with it. Sharp pain is not normal and means something needs looking at.
Can adults have fixed braces?
Yes. Teeth move at any age as long as the gums and bone are healthy. Adult treatment sometimes takes a little longer.
Can I play sport?
Yes, with a mouthguard for contact sports. We can make one that fits over the brace.
Is fixed metal braces right for your teeth?
That is what the consultation answers. You leave with the options set out — including the ones you did not come in asking about — and an idea of what each would cost.