Short answer: When braces are put on, the teeth are first cleaned and dried, and then their surfaces are prepared with a gel for a short time. The brackets are placed on the teeth with a special adhesive and hardened with light, and then the archwire is attached to the brackets with elastic ties or clips. The procedure does not require numbing and usually takes one to two hours. In most people, the sensitivity felt in the first days decreases within a week.
For many people who decide on braces, the first question on their mind is what exactly will happen at the appointment when they are put on. The short answer to the question of how braces are put on is this: the teeth are cleaned and dried, their surfaces are prepared for bonding, the brackets are placed one by one with a special adhesive and hardened with light, and then the archwire is attached to the brackets. The procedure does not require an injection and in most cases is completed in one to two hours. Below, we explain step by step the placement appointment, the preparation beforehand and what to watch out for in the first weeks.
What preparation is done before braces are put on?
Before braces are put on, your oral health is checked, records are taken for the treatment plan and, if necessary, cavities, tartar or gum problems are treated. A healthy start is necessary for the brackets to hold well and for oral health to be maintained throughout treatment.
At this stage, the following are usually done:
- Exam and records: Panoramic and lateral cephalometric X-rays and intraoral and facial photographs are taken; an impression or digital scan of the teeth is made.
- Treatment planning: The orthodontist determines in which direction the teeth will move and whether tooth extraction or an additional appliance is needed.
- Preliminary treatments: Any cavities are filled, tartar is removed and gum inflammation is treated.
- Separators: If rings (bands) are to be placed on the back molars, small separating elastics are placed between the teeth a few days beforehand to make room for the band.
Brushing your teeth even more carefully than usual before the day of placement and eating a light meal before the appointment help the session go more comfortably.
How are brackets bonded to the teeth?
Brackets are attached to the front surface of the tooth with a special orthodontic adhesive and hardened in a few seconds with a blue light; the procedure does not require drilling or numbing the tooth. The session proceeds in the following order:
- Keeping the mouth open: A soft cheek retractor that keeps the lips and cheeks away from the teeth is placed. This keeps the teeth dry and gives a clear working area.
- Surface cleaning: The front surfaces of the teeth are polished with a special paste to remove plaque and surface debris.
- Preparing the surface: An acidic gel is applied briefly to the area where the bracket will go. This gel creates microscopic roughness on the enamel surface so that the adhesive holds better. It is then rinsed off thoroughly with water and dried.
- Applying the bonding agent: A thin bonding layer is applied to the prepared surface.
- Positioning the bracket: Each bracket, with adhesive on its base, is placed on the tooth at the height and angle determined by the treatment plan. This step is very important for the success of the treatment; the position of the bracket determines where the tooth will move.
- Removing excess and curing: Adhesive that has spread out around the bracket is removed, and then each bracket is hardened with a curing light.
At some clinics, the brackets are first positioned on a model and then transferred to the teeth all at once with a carrier tray; this is called indirect bonding. Which technique is used depends on the orthodontist's preference and the case. On the back molars, metal bands that encircle the tooth may be used instead of brackets; these are fixed with cement in the space opened by the separators.
How are the wire and elastics attached?
After the brackets are in place, the archwire that will move the teeth is threaded through the bracket slots and secured with small elastic ties or the bracket's own clip. At the start of treatment, thin, flexible nickel-titanium wires with heat-activated shape memory are usually used. These wires apply a low but continuous force to achieve the initial alignment of the teeth.
There are two basic methods of securing the wire:
- Elastic ties (ligatures): Small colored or clear rings placed around each bracket. They are replaced at checkup appointments.
- Self-ligating brackets: These have a small clip that holds the wire and do not need separate elastic ties.
The ends of the wire are cut behind the last tooth and finished so that they do not poke the cheek. In later stages of treatment, thicker and stiffer wires are used; when necessary, elastics worn between the upper and lower jaws, power chains or springs are added. How and for how long these additional parts are to be used is explained separately at each checkup.
At the end of the session, the orthodontist gives you information about caring for your braces, brushing technique, using orthodontic wax and foods to avoid. Taking notes on this information makes things easier in the first days.
Is there pain in the first days, and how do you adjust?
In the first few days after braces are put on, it is very common to feel pressure and aching in the teeth and sensitivity when chewing; in most people, this feeling decreases markedly within about a week. The sensitivity is caused by the natural response of the surrounding tissues to the force applied to the teeth.
The following tips help make this period more comfortable:
- Soft foods: Choose foods that require little chewing, such as soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, eggs and pasta.
- Orthodontic wax: You can reduce irritation by placing a small piece of wax over a bracket that rubs against your cheek or lip.
- Salt water rinse: Rinsing with warm salt water can help small sores in the mouth heal.
- Pain relievers: If needed, ask your orthodontist or pharmacist which pain reliever you can use.
The inside of the cheeks gets used to the brackets within a few weeks, and the irritation decreases. A slight difference in speech may be felt in the first days, but this usually passes quickly.
Which foods should you avoid?
Hard, sticky and very chewy foods can cause brackets to come off or the wire to bend. For this reason, roasted chickpeas, hazelnuts, corn on the cob, chewing gum, caramel, hard candies and icy foods should be limited throughout treatment. Hard fruits and vegetables such as apples or carrots can be eaten cut into small pieces instead of being bitten into.
How often are checkup appointments?
In treatment with braces, checkup appointments are usually every four to eight weeks; at these visits, progress is assessed, wires are changed or adjusted, and elastic ties are replaced. The checkup interval can vary depending on the stage of treatment and the system used.
At a typical checkup appointment:
- How much the teeth have moved according to the plan is examined.
- If needed, the next wire size is placed or bends are made in the current wire.
- Elastic ties and any elastics are replaced.
- Oral hygiene is assessed, and areas where brushing is falling short are pointed out.
On the days the wire is adjusted, there may be sensitivity similar to that of the first days, but usually milder. If a bracket comes off, a wire pokes or a part comes loose between appointments, you should contact the clinic without waiting for the next appointment.
Can clear aligners be chosen instead of braces?
For many orthodontic problems, clear aligners can also be considered as an alternative to braces; however, they are not suitable for every case, and the decision is made after an exam. Since clear aligners are removable, they make eating and brushing easier, but they need to be worn 20–22 hours a day. Brackets, on the other hand, work continuously without depending on the patient's wear. You can compare the differences between the two methods in our article clear aligners or braces.
When should you have an exam for braces in Ankara?
If you notice crowding, a bite problem or difficulty chewing, an orthodontic exam is the first step to find out which treatment is right for you. At our clinic in Oran, Çankaya, right next to Panora Mall, Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.), evaluates your records and explains the options between treatment with brackets and clear aligners, along with the details of the placement process specific to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is an injection given when braces are put on?
Since bonding the brackets is a procedure done on the surface of the tooth, numbing is generally not needed. Keeping the mouth open for a long time during the session can be a little tiring. A brief feeling of pressure may be felt on teeth that receive bands.
How long does it take to put on braces?
Placing brackets on both jaws is completed in one to two hours in most cases. The time can vary depending on the number of brackets, whether bands are used and the technique applied.
What should I do if a bracket comes off?
A bracket that has come off may stay loose on the wire or come out completely. Keep the piece that came out and contact the clinic to schedule a new appointment. If something is poking, you can get temporary relief with orthodontic wax.
When can I eat normally after getting braces?
Soft foods are recommended for the first few days; as the sensitivity decreases, you can return to a normal diet. However, avoiding hard, sticky and very chewy foods throughout treatment protects the brackets.
