Fixed Braces
This is the most common type of orthodontic treatment – also commonly known as “train tracks” by younger patients!
Fixed braces in London are one of the best effective treatments for misaligned teeth, and help you achieve that perfect smile
Fixed braces have two main components: the brackets that are glued to your teeth and the main archwire that connects them.
Each bracket is precisely engineered and shaped to customise the movements for each tooth. Brackets could be made of steel (silver) or ceramic (tooth-coloured). They can go on the outside of the teeth, or they can be fitted on the inside (lingual braces).
The archwire is a thin wire that threads through each bracket and connects a tooth to the wire. The archwire is a bi-product of NASA research and has perfect shape memory. For this reason, the wire then pulls or pushes the teeth into the correct alignment and proper position.
The brackets need to be positioned in a precise and intricate manner by the orthodontist as this can affect the dynamics of each tooth movement. When braces are first placed, the teeth are all irregular and crooked, and the archwire thus follows the ins and outs and ups and downs of the tooth positions. However, as the wire gently and slowly straightens out due to its shape memory, the teeth begin to follow the archwire’s return to a perfect arch shape and become aligned.
You will be involved in the process of planning your treatment during your initial consultation, and therefore have the chance to communicate to your orthodontist your personal desires regarding your smile.
See also: Tooth-Coloured Ceramic Fixed Braces | Lingual Braces Invisalign
Regular Appointments
Regular appointments are needed so that the wires can be adjusted at specific intervals to slowly re-align the teeth and correct the bite.
Main benefits of a fixed braces in London:
- Very precise control of movement, and superior quality ‘finish’ to treatment.
- Relatively fast-acting.
- Easy to keep clean.
- The appliance is fixed to your teeth and in the orthodontist’s control so you don’t have to worry about doing anything. It is less cooperation-dependent.
- No plastic in the roof of the mouth, hence speech is not affected and flavours of food and drink can be enjoyed fully.
- No aligners on your teeth, so that you can bring your teeth together fully.
- Since the appliance is fixed and cannot be removed it is in a constant active state and hence the most effective.
There are now many variations of braces available including ceramic tooth-coloured ones – along with all the other options we provide at Elite Orthodontics.
See also: Tooth-Coloured Ceramic Fixed Braces | Lingual Braces Invisalign
Your orthodontist will discuss the best options with you during your consultation. In the meantime, you can learn more with our blog on Braces vs Invisalign and learn which option is best for you.
Book Appointment Patient Journey
Fixed Braces FAQs
This depends on the complexity of treatment and can take as little as a short few months up to about 2 years - and more for more complex cases. During your initial consultation, our specialist orthodontists will be able to give you a clear indication as to how long your treatment is likely to take.
There is a wide range of benefits to both fixed and removable braces. Fixed braces can offer a few unique advantages that removable braces can’t; for example, if you need complex correction, fixed braces may be the better choice. Other benefits include:
- You don’t lose them as they are fixed to your teeth
- Closer monitoring by your dentist during regular appointments
- Proven effectiveness and quality of finish
- There are customisable options
If you’d like to find out more about our fixed braces,
get in touch with our team today. No. Fitting braces does not hurt at all. Whilst it’s normal to feel some mild pain and discomfort during the first few days after having your braces fitted, they shouldn’t cause you any issues afterwards. The reason they can cause discomfort initially is that they’re putting pressure on the teeth to slowly move them into a new position, but any initial discomfort can be relieved easily with your preferred painkiller medicines.
Contrary to popular belief, adults can benefit from fixed braces just the same as children and teens. They are most commonly offered during adolescence, but orthodontic treatment has become increasingly popular with adults looking to enhance their smiles.
Yes! They definitely can! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Many of the patients treated at Elite Orthodontics are adults. The biological processes involved in tooth movement are the same in both adults and children. The health of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone is very important to the success of orthodontic treatment in adults as well as children. Modern techniques have made orthodontic treatment more comfortable and shorter in duration, and less visible or invisible braces have made the wearing of braces much more acceptable for adults. There is no need to be embarrassed about wearing braces as we can make your orthodontic appliances inconspicuous and discreet!
Your journey to a perfectly aligned smile doesn’t stop as soon as your fixed braces are removed, as you’ll almost always have to wear a retainer. A retainer will help to keep your newly-straightened teeth in place, preventing them from moving back into their former position. There are two main types of retainers:
Removable
These retainers slide easily out of your mouth when you need to eat or brush your teeth, and you should wear them full-time for at least a year after having your braces taken off. After this period, most orthodontists, including ourselves, recommend wearing them only overnight.
Fixed
Fixed retainers, sometimes referred to as permanent retainers, are held in place after being cemented to the backs of your teeth. Similar to how your braces were applied. Only we can remove these types of retainers, and most patients have them kept in place for several years or even decades after removing their braces. Got questions about retainers? We’re here to help.
Get in touch with the team here at Elite Orthodontists today!
With so many different orthodontic treatments available, it’s only natural to wonder which is best for you. Fixed metal or ceramic braces have been the go-to choice for patients looking to straighten their smiles for decades, but with the likes of Invisalign and other removable options being brought into the picture, you’ve got more of a decision to make. Fixed braces will be perfect for you if you’re looking for an option that requires minimal commitment and discipline. They’re easy to clean, you won’t have to remember to put them back in after taking them out, and there’s no chance of the brace being lost or misplaced. While Invisalign and other removable braces help to correct
mild to
moderate bite issues, fixed braces are the only option that truly addresses
severe underbites and overbites. Need more information about our fixed braces, or alternative orthodontic treatments? Give us a call on
020 7580 5370 or send us a message via our online
contact form and we’ll get back to you!
Admittedly, fixed braces require quite a bit of upkeep – but the results are more than worth it! Keeping up with basic oral hygiene is extremely important, as it reduces the risk of permanent staining and periodontal (gum) disease. It could even reduce your treatment time! Make sure that you:
- Brush three times per day, for three minutes each time, and around the back of the brace for a further two minutes.
- Brush each tooth individually, making sure to pay attention to your gum line to avoid plaque build-up.
- Use mouthwash once every day – before bed if you can. Make sure it’s alcohol-free and that it contains fluoride.
You should also avoid eating any foods that are chewy or hard – like boiled sweets, nuts, and chewing gum – and sugary or fizzy drinks. For expert tips on how to take care of your fixed braces, or to book a consultation, you’re more than welcome to contact our orthodontists here at Elite Orthodontists.
Give us a call today!
Here at Elite Orthodontists in London, we use a combination of our specialist skills and modern facilities to provide our patients with the highest-quality orthodontic care. Our clinicians are dedicated to continuing their professional development and education, as well as complying with the current regulatory requirements. So, whenever you come to us for treatment, you can be confident that you’re in the best hands. Of course, fixed braces in London (and our variety of other orthodontic treatments) aren’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ kind of deal, which is why all of our orthodontic treatments are patient-focused. Meaning that during your initial consultation with us, we’ll work with you to establish your smile goals and visions, while addressing any concerns or issues you may have, too. This always helps us to determine the best treatment plans, and therefore, attain the best results for all of our patients. Ready to achieve the smile of your dreams?
Book a consultation with us today!
Next: Functional Braces
