Efficient & Effective Treatment
Metal braces are the most common type of braces you’ll see at Orthodontic Associates. These orthodontic workhorses have a long history of successfully straightening smiles for patients of all ages around the Tampa Bay area.
Tampa Bay Braces
At Orthodontic Associates, we're proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and New Port Richey.
Traditional metal braces are strong and affordable, making them the top treatment for orthodontic patients every year.
Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, thanks to advances in modern technology, you'll enjoy brackets that are smaller and more comfortable than ever.
Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work quickly and efficiently to close gaps and align teeth, potentially shortening your treatment time at Orthodontic Associates.
Metal braces with Dr. Adam are cost-effective because they don't require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do.
What Are Braces Made of?
Brackets
The brackets Dr. Adam uses are durable and made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.
Brackets have little hooks or doors where a wire is threaded. Dr. Adam can secure a bracket by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Glue
Dr. Adam will use glue to attach the brackets directly to your teeth.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Adam will change the wire's shape and curvature to move your teeth in the right direction.
The wire will often attach to all of your bottom or upper teeth. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.
Elastics
If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. Dr. Adam will string elastics between an upper and lower bracket hook to pull your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite.
Orthodontic Bands
We cement these stainless steel rings to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but we don’t always use them for everyone.
Spacers
Dr. Adam 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
Dr. Adam uses these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers, and you can get them in dozens of colors.
Go for Gold
Your smile is one of the first things people around Tampa notice about you. You shouldn’t have to give up showing it during your orthodontic treatment at Orthodontic Associates.
Dr. Adam offers gold-colored braces so you can share your beautiful smile both during and after your treatment!
These gold-colored brackets are as durable as standard metal braces and subtle as ceramic ones. Their one-of-a-kind champagne color blends in with the color of your teeth more than steel, and they're not as fragile as clear ceramic braces.