Braces FAQ

Braces are orthodontic devices that straighten teeth and correct bite problems by applying continuous gentle pressure over time. The system has three parts:

Brackets: small squares bonded to the front of each tooth.

Archwire: a flexible metal wire that runs through all the brackets and provides the directional force to move the teeth.

Ligatures: small elastic bands (or built-in clips on self-ligating brackets) that hold the wire to the brackets.

At each adjustment, we change the wire and adjust tension to keep guiding the teeth toward their final positions. The underlying biological mechanism is called bone remodeling: on the side of the tooth being compressed, specialized cells called osteoclasts dissolve bone, while on the tension side, osteoblasts lay down new bone. This is how teeth physically move through the jaw, and it is why orthodontic movement takes months rather than days. Braces correct crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and most other alignment issues. Learn more on our main orthodontics page.

Braces are recommended for both functional and cosmetic reasons. The functional side often matters more than people realize:

Crowded or overlapping teeth are harder to clean, which raises the long-term risk of cavities and gum disease.

A bad bite (malocclusion) can cause uneven wear on the teeth, jaw joint pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing.

Open bites, deep bites, and crossbites can affect speech and put long-term stress on certain teeth.

At your consultation we tell you honestly whether braces are clinically indicated or whether your case is primarily cosmetic, so you can make the decision with the full picture.

Common issues treated with braces include:

• Crowding: teeth overlap because there is not enough room in the jaw
• Spacing: gaps between teeth
• Overbite: upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth
• Underbite: lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth
• Crossbite: some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside
• Open bite: front teeth do not touch when biting down
• Midline misalignment: the center of the upper teeth does not match the lower

Severe skeletal jaw discrepancies sometimes require jaw surgery in addition to braces; we flag this at the consultation if it applies.

Traditional metal braces: the workhorse of orthodontics. Stainless steel brackets and wires. Most durable, most affordable, and capable of handling the most complex cases. Colored elastic ligatures let kids and teens express themselves.

Ceramic (clear) braces: tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in with natural enamel. Much less visible from a conversational distance. Slightly more expensive than metal and somewhat more fragile, so they are best for adults and image-conscious teens with non-extreme cases.

Self-ligating braces: brackets with built-in clips instead of elastic ligatures. Can reduce friction during tooth movement and slightly shorten adjustment appointment time.

Lingual braces: bonded to the tongue side of the teeth, completely invisible from the front. The most expensive option, and they take longer to adapt to (the tongue brushes against them constantly at first).

We help you choose based on case complexity, age, lifestyle, and budget.

It depends on the case. Each has clear strengths.

Braces are better for: severe crowding, significant bite corrections, rotated teeth, teeth that need vertical movement (intrusion or extrusion), and any case where patient compliance with a removable appliance would be in doubt. Braces work 24 hours a day with no compliance required beyond hygiene and food restrictions.

Invisalign is better for: mild to moderate crowding or spacing, adults who want a discreet appearance during treatment, and disciplined patients who will reliably wear the aligners 22 hours per day. Invisalign is removable for meals, so there are no food restrictions, and brushing/flossing stays normal.

For complex cases or patients who want the most predictable outcome regardless of appearance, braces are usually the better call. For mild to moderate cases where aesthetics matter and discipline is high, Invisalign is often preferable.

Sometimes. Extraction is considered when there is severe crowding and the jaw simply does not have enough room to accommodate all the teeth in their corrected positions. Removing one or two teeth (usually premolars) creates space and allows the rest to align properly. Modern orthodontic techniques (including arch expansion and interproximal reduction, a slight slimming of tooth contacts) have reduced how often extractions are needed compared to 30 years ago, but in significantly crowded cases extraction still produces the best long-term result. We discuss this transparently at the consultation, including the trade-offs.

Placement takes 1 to 2 hours and is completely painless.

Step 1: teeth are cleaned and dried.

Step 2: a mild etching gel is applied to each tooth to create a slightly rough surface, then rinsed off. This is what allows the bonding adhesive to grip.

Step 3: bonding adhesive is placed on each tooth, brackets are positioned precisely, and a curing light hardens the adhesive in seconds.

Step 4: the archwire is threaded through all the brackets and secured with ligatures (elastic bands) or the bracket's built-in clip.

If we need molar bands (metal rings that go around the back molars), we may place small rubber separators a week beforehand to open up space for the bands. You leave with your braces on, a cleaning and food-restriction guide, and orthodontic wax for any irritation.

The placement itself: not painful, just a bit tiring because your mouth is open for an hour or two.

The first 2 to 4 hours after: teeth feel normal. The pressure has not kicked in yet.

Days 1 to 5: teeth feel sore, achy, and sensitive to chewing. This is the bone remodeling process starting up. Ibuprofen and ice handle it for most patients. Eating soft foods for the first 3 to 5 days helps.

After each monthly adjustment: expect 1 to 3 days of mild soreness as the teeth adapt to the new wire tension.

Cheek and lip irritation: brackets can rub the inside of your cheeks and lips for the first week or two until the soft tissue toughens up. Orthodontic wax placed directly over the bracket creates a smooth barrier. If a wire pokes or shifts, call our office and we will adjust it.

Most patients describe the experience as significantly more manageable than they expected.

Quick Braces for Adults is a short-term orthodontic option priced at $2,999 flat, designed for adults who want their front teeth straightened without going through a full 18 to 24 month comprehensive treatment. Treatment typically runs 4 to 9 months.

Who Quick Braces is for:

• Adults whose main concern is the appearance of the front teeth (the "smile zone" or "social six")
• Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or rotation in the front teeth
• Patients who had braces as a teen but whose teeth have shifted over the years
• Anyone preparing for a wedding, professional milestone, or photo-heavy event on a short timeline

Who Quick Braces is NOT for:

• Patients with significant bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite) that need correction
• Severe crowding requiring extraction
• Cases needing back-tooth movement

Because Quick Braces focuses on the front teeth only and not on the underlying bite, it is a cosmetic-focused treatment. If we determine at your consultation that your case needs full bite correction, comprehensive braces ($3,500 to $5,500) will be the better recommendation. We are upfront about which option fits your case before any commitment.

$3,500 to $5,500 for comprehensive treatment, all-inclusive. Simple cases (minor crowding, minor spacing, shorter treatment) sit at the lower end of that range. Complex cases (significant bite correction, longer treatment, severe crowding) reach the upper end. We quote you a single flat price at the consultation and that is your total.

What is included:

• Initial consultation, records, X-rays, and photos
• All bracket and wire placement
• Every monthly adjustment appointment
• Elastic ligatures, rubber bands, and any in-treatment changes
• Removal at the end of treatment
• Retainers (one set)
• Emergency visits during treatment (broken bracket, poking wire)

Typical Houston-area pricing for the same comprehensive treatment runs $5,000 to $8,000. See our full pricing page.

Possible additional costs (quoted separately if needed): tooth extractions, replacement retainers if lost.

Many PPO dental plans include orthodontic benefits, though coverage varies significantly. The common pattern: 50% of orthodontic costs up to a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $3,000, most often for dependents under age 18 or 19. Adult orthodontic coverage is less common but exists on some PPO plans.

Important things to watch for in your plan:

• Lifetime ortho maximum: the total amount the plan will ever pay for orthodontics for a given person, separate from the annual maximum
• Age limits: many plans only cover orthodontics for dependents under 18 or 19
• Waiting periods: some plans require 6 to 12 months of coverage before ortho benefits activate
• Medical necessity vs cosmetic: a few plans require documentation that the case is medically necessary, not purely aesthetic

The $3,500 to $5,500 price at Best Dental is our cash (self-pay) rate. Your out-of-pocket cost with insurance depends on your specific PPO plan. We verify PPO benefits for free before treatment begins.

Yes. We offer in-house monthly payment plans that spread the cost of braces across the length of treatment, and we work with CareCredit and Cherry for longer-term financing, including 0% interest promotional plans for qualifying applicants. Most families pay an initial down payment at placement and monthly installments thereafter. Details on our financing page.

Two categories of food cause most broken-bracket emergencies: hard and sticky.

Hard foods to avoid: ice, hard candy, nuts, popcorn (the unpopped kernels), hard pretzels, hard pizza crust, raw carrots (unless cut small), apples bitten directly (slice them instead), corn on the cob (cut the kernels off).

Sticky and chewy foods to avoid: caramel, taffy, gummy bears, Starburst, licorice, Tootsie Rolls, chewing gum, bagels (the chewy crust is brutal on brackets).

Habits to break: chewing pen caps, biting fingernails, opening packages with your teeth.

Safe foods: soft bread, pasta, rice, eggs, yogurt, cheese, cooked vegetables, soft fruits, mashed potatoes, smoothies, soups, fish, ground meats, ice cream. You can eat most of what you normally eat as long as you cut it small and chew with your back teeth.

Following these rules is the single biggest factor in finishing treatment on schedule. Every broken bracket adds an unscheduled visit and can push the timeline back a week or two.

Hygiene matters more during braces treatment than at any other time in your life because brackets create dozens of new spots where plaque can hide. Poor hygiene during treatment causes permanent white square outlines (called decalcification) where the brackets used to sit, plus cavities and gum inflammation.

Brush after every meal and snack with a soft-bristle or electric toothbrush, angled at 45 degrees so the bristles get above and below each bracket. Spend at least 2 to 3 minutes.

Floss daily. Use a floss threader to get the floss under the archwire and between each tooth, or use orthodontic floss with a stiff end. This takes practice but gets fast after the first week.

Water flossers (oral irrigators) are excellent supplements for cleaning around brackets and under wires. They do not replace regular flossing but they significantly improve plaque removal.

Interdental brushes (small bottle-brush-style tools) clean directly around the brackets where a regular brush struggles to reach.

Keep your regular 6-month cleanings at Best Dental during treatment. We use techniques designed to work around braces.

Sports: yes, with a mouthguard. For any contact sport (football, basketball, hockey, soccer, martial arts), wear an orthodontic-specific mouthguard. Standard boil-and-bite mouthguards do not fit well over brackets and can pull on the brackets when removed. Ortho mouthguards are designed to accommodate the brackets and protect both your teeth and your lips/cheeks from getting cut against the braces during impact. We can fit one for you. Skip the mouthguard and a single elbow to the face can cost months of treatment progress.

Musical instruments: yes, with a brief adjustment. Wind and brass players (clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, flute) need a week or two to readjust embouchure. Most players adapt fully. Orthodontic wax over the brackets that contact the mouthpiece helps during the adjustment period.

Broken bracket: if the bracket is still attached to the wire but loose from the tooth, leave it in place and call us. If it has come off entirely, save it and bring it to your appointment. Avoid chewing on that side until we re-bond it.

Poking wire: use a clean pencil eraser to gently push the wire back against the tooth, and cover the end with orthodontic wax until your next visit. If the wire has shifted significantly, call us so we can adjust it.

Lost ligature (elastic band): non-urgent. Mention it at your next visit and we will replace it.

Emergency visits during treatment are included in the flat price, so do not hesitate to call.

Average: 18 to 24 months.

Simple cases (minor crowding, minor spacing): 12 to 15 months.

Moderate cases (typical crowding plus some bite correction): 18 to 24 months.

Complex cases (significant bite correction, severe crowding, rotated teeth, vertical movement): 24 to 36 months.

The biggest factors are case severity, age (teen bone remodels faster than adult bone), compliance with elastics if prescribed, and how diligently food restrictions are followed (broken brackets push the timeline back). We give you a specific estimate at the consultation.

Typically every 4 to 8 weeks, with most patients on a 6-week cadence. Each adjustment runs 15 to 30 minutes. At each visit we:

• Check progress against the treatment plan
• Change the archwire (progressing through different wire sizes and materials as teeth move)
• Replace elastic ligatures
• Verify brackets are still bonded and wires are seated properly
• Add or adjust auxiliary appliances (elastics, chains, springs) as needed

Missing or delaying adjustment visits stalls tooth movement and extends total treatment time. We schedule visits in advance and send reminders.

Rubber bands (also called interarch elastics) are small elastic bands that stretch from a hook on an upper bracket to a hook on a lower bracket. Their job is to correct the bite relationship between the upper and lower jaws, which the brackets and wires alone cannot do. Common uses: pulling the lower jaw forward to correct an overbite, or pulling specific teeth into a better bite position.

Elastics only work if you actually wear them. We prescribe them 24/7 in most cases, removing only to eat and brush. Patients who skip elastics add months to their treatment. This is the single most common reason a case extends past its original estimate.

Removal takes 30 to 60 minutes. We pop each bracket off with a specialized tool, polish away the remaining bonding adhesive, and clean the teeth thoroughly. We take final photos and impressions for retainers. Many patients are stunned at how their teeth look after the polish, since they have not seen them bracket-free in months or years.

You will be fit with retainers immediately. Skipping the retainer phase undoes the treatment, so this is not optional.

Because teeth are not set in concrete, they sit in bone, and that bone is still living tissue. Right after the brackets come off, the bone around the newly moved teeth is still soft and remodeling. Without a retainer, the teeth drift back toward their original positions, sometimes within weeks.

Beyond the initial settling, teeth naturally shift throughout life as you chew, age, and undergo subtle jaw growth changes. The lower front teeth in particular are prone to lifelong crowding even decades after braces. Wearing your retainer as prescribed is the only thing that protects the investment you just made.

Standard retainer schedule:

• First 3 to 6 months: full-time (22 hours per day), removing only for meals and brushing
• After that: nighttime only, indefinitely

Removable clear retainers (also called Essix or Vivera): clear plastic trays similar to Invisalign trays. Nearly invisible, easy to wear, easy to lose. Replace if lost (replacement is typically $200 to $500).

Removable wire retainers (Hawley): a wire that runs across the front teeth with an acrylic plate against the palate or lower gums. More durable than clear retainers and adjustable if minor settling needs correction.

Fixed retainers (bonded): a thin wire permanently bonded to the back of the lower (and sometimes upper) front teeth. Invisible, no compliance required, but harder to floss around. Most commonly placed on lower front teeth, where shifting is most aggressive.

Many patients end up with a combination, such as a fixed lower retainer plus a removable upper retainer worn at night.

Yes, and many patients do. Waiting 2 to 4 weeks after bracket removal is ideal so the enamel fully rehydrates (it can look slightly chalky in the first days after removal, which is normal). Then either professional in-office whitening or take-home trays from us give you a brand-new smile to match your newly straight teeth. Details on our teeth whitening page.

No. About 25% of orthodontic patients today are adults. Adult teeth move through the bone using the same mechanism as teen teeth (the bone remodeling process), though treatment may take slightly longer because adult bone is denser and fully developed.

Common reasons adults choose braces: correcting issues that were never addressed in childhood, fixing teeth that have shifted over time (especially the lower front teeth), aligning the bite before major restorative work like crowns, bridges, or implants, and finally getting the smile they always wanted.

Adults often prefer ceramic braces for a more discreet appearance during treatment, though metal works just as well and costs less. Adult treatment is just as effective as teen treatment, it just takes a bit more patience.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic screening by age 7. By that age, the first permanent molars and front incisors have erupted, which gives us enough information to spot:

• Crossbites that should be corrected before the jaw finishes growing
• Severe crowding that may benefit from early space management
• Underbites or significant overbites with skeletal components
• Habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting) that are affecting tooth or jaw development

A screening does not mean braces are needed at 7. In most cases we monitor growth and start full treatment between ages 9 and 14. But early identification of certain issues can prevent more complex treatment later, and that early screening is the only way to catch them.

Phase 1 (also called interceptive treatment) is a shorter round of orthodontic work done while a child still has some baby teeth, typically between ages 7 and 10. The goal is not to straighten every tooth, it is to fix a specific problem early while the jaw is still growing and easier to influence. Common Phase 1 goals: widening a narrow upper jaw with a palatal expander, correcting a crossbite, creating space for permanent teeth that are coming in crowded, or correcting a thumb-sucking-related open bite.

After Phase 1, the child takes a break (often called the "resting phase") while the rest of the permanent teeth come in. Most Phase 1 patients eventually need a Phase 2 round of full braces in their early teens to finish alignment, but Phase 1 makes Phase 2 simpler, shorter, and more likely to succeed without extractions.

Not every child needs Phase 1. We only recommend it when early intervention will actually change the long-term outcome.

Absolutely yes, every 6 months without exception. Routine cleanings and checkups matter more during braces than ever because brackets trap plaque. Skipping regular dentist visits during treatment is the fastest way to end up with cavities or gum inflammation by the time the braces come off. At Best Dental, your braces appointments and routine cleanings are at the same office, which simplifies scheduling.