The Strong Standard
Traditional metal braces have been around for a long time, and they’re probably what most people around Charlotte imagine when they think “orthodontics”.
Dr. Robert Selden has transformed smiles for a huge number of patients using this treatment option in the Charlotte and Huntersville area.
Charlotte & Huntersville Braces
Dr. Selden uses orthodontic braces to correct crooked and crowded teeth, misaligned bites, and jaw problems. Braces can also eliminate problems you may have with eating, speaking correctly, or keeping your teeth clean.
Yes, traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces. However, over the years, technology streamlined braces, becoming smaller, sleeker, and more comfortable to wear.
What Are Braces Made Of?
Traditional braces consist of standard metal brackets that Dr. Selden adheres to your teeth and then connects by a wire.
They require periodic tightening so pressure can gradually align your teeth.
Brackets
Dr. Selden uses durable brackets, made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals, and feature little hooks or doors where we thread a wire.
Your Charlotte and Huntersville braces experts secure the brackets by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Glue
This is how Dr. Selden attaches the brackets to your teeth. It’s normal to glue the bracket directly to your tooth.
Elastics
If Dr. Selden needs to correct your bite, elastics are essential. We normally string elastics between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook.
This pressure pulls your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. At Selden Orthodontics, we use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Selden shapes and curves the wire so your teeth move in the right direction.
Normally, the wire attaches to all of your bottom or upper teeth, but Dr. Selden may cut the wire if he thinks it’s better for your treatment plan.
Orthodontic Bands
Our team cements these stainless steel rings to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but Dr. Selden doesn’t always use bands for all patients.
Spacers
Dr. Selden uses these tiny elastic “donuts” or rings to create space between your teeth when needed, typically before we place your bands. People also refer to them as "separators".
Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors
These tiny bands or rubber rings attach the archwire to the brackets. Dr. Selden likes them because elastics are less rigid than spacers and he’ll let you choose from dozens of colors.