Metal Braces

Tried & True Treatment

The most common type of braces at Wedding Thompson Orthodontics are metal braces. These orthodontic staples have a long history of successfully straightening smiles at every age for patients throughout Owensboro and the surrounding areas.

"I can't imagine there is a better orthodontic practice."

- Jen N.

Owensboro Braces

At Wedding Thompson Orthodontics, we're proud to offer the latest braces technology to patients of all ages in Owensboro and surrounding areas.

Metal braces have a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, thanks to modern orthodontics, you'll benefit from smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable brackets than ever before.

Traditional metal braces are strong and affordable, making them the top treatment for orthodontic patients in Wedding Thompson Orthodontics every year.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues, closing gaps, and aligning teeth quicker than other treatments, potentially shortening your treatment time at Wedding Thompson Orthodontics.

Metal braces are cost-effective because they don't require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment of newer treatments.

What Are Braces Made of?

Brackets

The brackets we use at Wedding Thompson Orthodontics are made from durable metals and have small hooks or doors where we'll tread a wire.

Glue

This is what we’ll use to attach the brackets to your teeth.

Wire

Dr. Wedding or Dr. Thompson will thread the wire through each bracket, changing the shape and curvature to shift your teeth in the right direction.

Elastics

Elastics are what we use to correct your bite at Wedding Thompson Orthodontics. The elastics will connect an upper and lower bracket hook to pull your jaw in the right direction.

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

We use these tiny elastic “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

We use 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.

Metal Braces FAQ

How do braces work?

Before applying your brackets, Dr. Wedding, Dr. Thompson and the team at Wedding Thompson 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. This process takes 10-15 minutes and provides a highly accurate 3D view of your mouth.

After the X-Ray and optional scan, Dr. Wedding or Dr. Thompson will use this information to create your customized treatment plan, including where to place your brackets.

For example, if you have some teeth that need to tilt, we'll place those brackets differently compared to the brackets for teeth that need to turn.

Once your brackets are secure, Dr. Wedding or Dr. Thompson will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different pressure on teeth to guide them to straighter positions.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of modern braces, meaning you’ll have less irritation in your mouth.

The elastics that fit around your brackets come in a wide variety of colors, so you can even personalize the appearance of your braces.

Pick your favorite color combination, the colors of your favorite sports team, or even your school colors! We also offer silver, gray, white, black, and tooth-colored elastics for patients seeking a more subtle look.

How long will I be in braces?

This is the most common question we hear at our Owensboro office, but it doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. Every mouth is unique, and every patient responds to treatment differently, so treatment time with metal braces at Wedding Thompson Orthodontics will vary.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on your case and the treatment plan we personalize for you.

In some cases, Owensboro braces patients stay in braces for as few as six months, but it can take over three years to complete treatment for complex issues.

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