How Straight Wire Braces Work to Align Teeth and Balance Your Bite

Who doesn’t dream of a straight smile? But the reality is that nearly three-fourths of the U.S. population has crooked teeth to some degree. And people with crooked teeth want options to correct them. For most, it means clear aligners or straight wire braces. And we’re here to tell you that if you want the best chances of success, straight wire braces are a home run. 

What are straight wire braces?

Want a quick answer to better understand what straight wire braces are? Straight wire braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that uses small brackets attached to the teeth and a metal archwire that connects them. Together, these components work as a system to gradually guide teeth into healthier positions.

The brackets act as anchors, while the archwire applies gentle, consistent pressure to the teeth. As adjustments are made throughout treatment, that pressure encourages the teeth to slowly move in the jawbone and into proper alignment. While the changes may seem subtle from week to week, those small movements add up over time, helping create a straighter smile and a more balanced bite.

Straight wire braces are highly successful at aligning teeth. 

We won’t deny that clear aligners work. They absolutely do. However, aligners aren’t always the best orthodontic treatment for bite alignment, and they won’t help straighten teeth that are significantly crooked. So, the larger your malocclusion is, the more likely that straight wire braces are what’s needed. 

Straight wire braces can address a wide range of orthodontic concerns consistently because they remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment. Unlike removable aligners, they continuously guide teeth into position, giving your orthodontist greater control over tooth movement and bite correction.

Some of the biggest benefits of straight wire braces include:

• Correcting mild, moderate, and severe tooth misalignment.
• Improving overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other bite concerns.
• Moving teeth with a high degree of precision.
• Eliminating the temptation to remove aligners for extended periods.
• Treating complex orthodontic cases that may not respond well to clear aligners.
• Creating a better balance between the upper and lower teeth.
• Delivering predictable results when treatment recommendations are followed.
• Helping improve long-term oral health by making teeth easier to clean and maintain.

How Straight Wire Braces Help in Balancing the Bite

Okay, so what do we mean by balancing your bite? To answer this question, please follow along for a little demonstration. Open and close your mouth a few times and pay attention to how your teeth come together.

Ideally, your upper and lower teeth should fit together comfortably and evenly. When they don’t, it can place extra stress on certain teeth, contribute to uneven wear, and even affect how you chew. Straight wire braces gradually move teeth into more optimal positions so the upper and lower arches work together more naturally. The result is a bite that functions better and often feels more comfortable, too.

Treatment Timeline and What to Expect 

Here’s the question we get asked by our orthodontic patients all the time: How long is orthodontic treatment going to take? And we get it. We all want that immediate gratification, especially when it means that after our braces come off, we’ll have the beautiful smile that we’ve been waiting for.

But the reality is that orthodontic treatment doesn’t simply correct your teeth overnight. It takes some time. And, the bigger the malocclusion that we’re treating, the longer your specific treatment will take. That said, in most cases, patients wear straight wire braces for about 18 to 24 months. Of course, some treatments take less time. 

Caring For Straight Wire Braces

One of the best things you can do for your future smile is to take care of your braces and follow the instructions provided by your Wilson, NC, orthodontist. Though we’ll provide you with specific guidance on how to care for your braces and teeth during orthodontic treatment, here is what you can expect: 

• Brush carefully after meals and before bed, paying extra attention around brackets and wires.
• Floss daily using floss threaders or other orthodontic-friendly tools.
• Avoid sticky foods that can pull brackets loose, such as caramel, taffy, and chewing gum.
• Limit hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies that may damage braces.
• Wear rubber bands and other orthodontic appliances as directed.
• Attend all scheduled adjustment appointments to keep treatment on track.
• Contact your orthodontist if a bracket becomes loose or a wire is causing discomfort.
• Continue routine dental cleanings and exams throughout your orthodontic treatment.
• Wear a mouthguard during sports and other activities where your teeth could be injured.

The key to successful treatment is to follow all instructions from your orthodontic team. When you do, the chances are much greater that your treatment schedule will stay on time and your smile will be well worth it.

Contact us to see if straight wire braces are the right orthodontic treatment for you. 

Are your teeth crooked? Do you want a straight smile that you can confidently share with others? If you answered yes to these questions, it’s time to request a consultation with your Wilson, NC, orthodontist. And yes, that’s our team here at Dixon, Boles and Associates. 

Contact us today to see if straight wire braces are the best approach to balancing your bite, and get on the path to a straighter smile.