How Do Braces Move Your Teeth?

In this blog post, we will shed some light on what components make up your braces and how they move your teeth.

Components of Braces

Brackets

Brackets are the most visible part of your braces. They bond to the surface of each tooth to hold them in place throughout the orthodontic treatment.

Archwires

Your orthodontist will place these thin metal wires over each bracket. They are necessary for building up the pressure against your teeth that will move them in their appropriate positions.

O-Rings

These small elastic bands are responsible for holding the bracket on the archwire.

Now that you have a know-how of what braces are made of let’s discuss how they move your teeth!

Moving the teeth through bone remodeling

After the braces are in place, they will begin to put pressure on your teeth. The periodontal membrane (encases a bottom portion of the tooth) is stretched on one side and compressed on the other, which slightly loosens the tooth. Then a new bone grows in to support the tooth. This is the process of bone remodeling, and it’s where the magic happens!

The force behind the movement

Your brackets and archwires are responsible for providing your teeth with the necessary force and pressure for positive tooth movement. Therefore, the archwires are typically made of materials activated by body heat to increase the stiffness level.

The wire we use in the beginning is known as a twisted wire and when this wire is placed on your teeth, it is activated by the heat of your mouth. Once you advance into the treatment process, a more flexible one will replace the twisted wire. Your body heat activates this wire, too, causing it to become stiff. Once we place the brackets on your teeth and tie them together with the wires, the transmission of forces is on the go.

If you want to get really technical, meet one of our dental experts at Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry. To schedule, an appointment calls us at 281-937-7530.