How do braces straighten crooked teeth?

Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your "ideal" bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment.

The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire tries to return to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jaw bone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side gives way. The tooth moves. New bone grows in behind.

To find more information about recent advances in this and other techniques, please see our Damon System page.

Two-Phase Treatment

Indications

Dental problems related to jaw growth get worse, not better, with time. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial examination by an orthodontist at age seven. Because they are growing rapidly, young children benefit enormously from appliances which balance the relationship between the upper and lower jaws, and develop room for erupting permanent teeth. This does not mean you are being treated twice it means your treatment is divided into two stages!!  Click on the video below to learn more about Two-Phase Treatment!

Early arch development and growth guidance are indicated in cases of:

TIME PERIODS

Two phase treatment separates the entire orthodontic treatment into two time periods, with each period being the best time to correct specific problems.

PHASE I

Damon 3 MX

Early intervention consists of jaw modification (orthopedics) lasting 12-18 months in the mixed dentition, when both permanent and baby teeth are present. The first phase is directed more at your child’s muscles and jaws than the teeth, although some concerns regarding tooth positioning may be addressed. The goal of this phase is to create the healthiest environment possible for the eruption of permanent teeth and development of the jaws and face.

PHASE II

The second and final phase of active treatment begins at the time the last baby teeth are lost. This tooth alignment (orthodontic) phase typically takes 12-18 months. Final correction of tooth position, space closure, root paralleling and other refinements, which are important to function and stability, are achieved during this stage.

Benefits