Metal Braces
A Legacy Built to Last
At Murray Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer state-of-the-art braces technology to our patients of all ages in the greater Palm Beach County community.
Wellington & Palm Beach Gardens Braces
Dr. Murray uses traditional braces to successfully straighten smiles of any age for patients all around Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, and the surrounding areas. Metal braces are the most common type of braces at Murray Orthodontics.
Conventional metal braces are both vigorous and affordable. They are consistently the top treatment for orthodontic patients in Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington.
These orthodontic mainstays have a history dating back hundreds of years (and even longer, depending on which scholars you read).
Metal braces have gained an unfair stigma for being uncomfortable and too noticeable. But, because of technological innovations, you’ll benefit from versions that are more compact, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before.
Braces are great at fixing complicated tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments. Thanks to their impeccable performance, Murray Orthodontics can have you in and out before you can say “toothbrush.”
Metal braces work on any budget because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do.
Components of Metal Braces
Brackets
Dr. Murray uses durable brackets forged from nickel, stainless steel, and other metals. The brackets are adhered to your teeth and hold your wires in place.
Glue
This is what Dr. Murray will use to attach the brackets to your teeth. It’s common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Murray will change the wire's shape and curvature to move your teeth in the right direction.
The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together in many cases. 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 crucial. They’re generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook.
For an overbite, the elastic pulls your upper jaw backward. To correct an underbite, the elastic pulls the lower jaw back. We use rubber bands for many different scenarios, 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 we don’t always use them for everyone.
Spacers
Dr. Murray uses these tiny stretchy “donuts” or rings to create space between your teeth when needed, typically before we place your bands. People also refer to them as "separators".
Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors
Dr. Murray uses these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers and you can get them in dozens of colors.