Metal braces
Metal braces are small stainless steel brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by a thin wire. They are the most familiar type of fixed braces and can treat everything from mild crowding to complex bite problems. At Suman Dental Care they are planned and fitted by Dr. Aashka Doshi, an orthodontist (MDS, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics). Treatment commonly takes 12–24 months, but this varies from person to person.
Step by step
- 1Consultation and records
The orthodontist examines your teeth and bite, and takes photographs, X-rays and impressions or a scan to plan treatment. If a wider scan is needed, you will be told where to have it taken.
- 2Treatment plan
You are told which teeth will move and how, whether any teeth may need to be removed, and a likely range for the length of treatment.
- 3Fitting the braces
Teeth are cleaned and dried, a small bracket is bonded to each tooth and a wire is threaded through. No injection is needed, and fitting usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
- 4Regular adjustments
Every 4–6 weeks the wire or its small elastic ties are changed so teeth keep moving gradually. Elastic bands may be added for some bites.
- 5Removal and retainers
The brackets are taken off, the teeth are polished and retainers are fitted to hold the new position.
- Crowded, overlapping or gapped teeth
- Overbite, underbite or crossbite, including more complex bites
- Children and teenagers once their adult teeth are coming through
- Adults with healthy gums and bone; there is no upper age limit
Teeth and cheeks are sore for about 3–5 days after the braces go on, and for a day or two after each adjustment. Soft food and your usual pain relief help, and orthodontic wax over a rubbing bracket eases the cheek. Most people feel comfortable with braces within a few weeks.
Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods such as nuts, toffee and biting straight into apples or sugarcane. Brush after meals and clean between the wires with an interdental brush. If a wire pokes or a bracket comes off, call the clinic rather than waiting for your next visit. See the braces aftercare card.
- Decay and white marks can form around brackets if cleaning is poor.
- Gum inflammation is common with braces and usually settles with better brushing.
- Soreness and mouth ulcers from the brackets, mostly in the first weeks.
- Root shortening is usually small and is checked on X-rays.
- Relapse: without retainers, teeth tend to drift back.
- Longer treatment if brackets break often or elastics are not worn.
What affects the cost
We don't publish prices online. After an examination you get a written estimate that lists each item.
Payment by card, cash or UPI.
Questions patients ask
How are metal braces different from ceramic and self-ligating braces?
All three are fixed braces and move teeth in the same basic way. Metal brackets are smaller and stronger and are the most visible. Ceramic braces are tooth-coloured and less noticeable, and self-ligating braces hold the wire with a built-in clip instead of small elastic ties.
Do metal braces hurt?
Fitting does not need injections. Teeth feel sore and tight for 3–5 days afterwards and for a day or two after adjustments. Soft food and your usual pain relief help.
Are metal braces suitable for children?
Often, yes, once the adult teeth are coming through. Metal brackets are strong, and they are also an option for adults. Your orthodontist advises on the right timing.
Can I change the colour of the elastic ties?
Usually yes. The small elastic ties can be chosen in different colours and are changed at each adjustment.
What happens after metal braces come off?
You wear retainers, a fixed wire behind the teeth, a removable retainer, or both. Without them, teeth tend to drift back.
Questions about this treatment?
Send a WhatsApp message or book an examination. The dentist explains the options before anything starts.