Most patients require the use of fixed orthodontic appliances (‘train tracks’) to have really straight teeth, and achieve the best possible improvement of their smile. Small precisely designed metal or ceramic buttons called brackets are stuck/bonded to each tooth. Sometimes metal rings called bands are also fitted around the back/molar teeth.
The brackets are then connected to each other using a thin metal wire, called an archwire. The wires are adjusted at regular intervals to straighten the teeth and correct the bite.
Modern brackets are quite small, and they cover a relatively small area of each tooth, making braces more attractive than they used to be. With fixed braces, there is no plastic in the roof of the mouth. This means speech is unaffected and the flavour of food can be enjoyed fully. As the appliance cannot be removed, it acts full-time, and so it is very effective. Fixed braces are very good at achieving fine detail, and making the smile look really perfect!
