At Great Smiles, we’ve helped thousands of patients transform their smiles with modern wired metal braces. Whether you’re a teen just starting treatment or an adult finally ready to invest in your grin, metal braces are a time-tested option that gets the job done.
Why Choose Metal Braces?
Effective for All Cases – From simple crowding to complex bite issues, metal braces can handle it.
Affordable & Accessible – Typically more budget-friendly than clear aligners or ceramic braces.
No Discipline Required – Unlike removable aligners, you don’t have to remember to take them in and out.
Fun Personalization – Kids and teens love choosing new colors for their bands at each visit.
Who are metal braces for?
Today’s metal braces are smaller, sleeker, and more comfortable than ever– and still incredibly effective! Wired metal braces or clear ceramic braces are useful for people of all ages.
Braces for Kids
Braces are typically right for kids between ages 9 and 14, when most of their adult teeth have come in but their jaw is still growing—making it the ideal time to guide alignment.
Braces for Teens
Teenage years are typically the best time (and the most common age) for braces as permanent teeth are present and the jaw is easier to reposition, if needed.
Braces for Adults
Nearly 25% of ortho patients are now adults. While more noticeable, braces for adults are typically the fastest way to get the most dramatic results for bite or teeth issues.
Expert Answers to Common Metal Braces Questions
How do wire braces work?
Wire braces use brackets attached to each tooth and a thin metal archwire that applies gentle pressure to move teeth over time. The wire is adjusted regularly to guide your teeth into better alignment 1.
1 Wang, Y., Jian, F., Lai, W., Zhao, Z., Yang, Z., Liao, Z., Shi, Z., Wu, T., Millett, D. T., McIntyre, G. T., & Hickman, J. (2010). Initial arch wires for alignment of crooked teeth with fixed orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd007859.pub2
Do wire braces hurt?
You might feel some soreness after getting braces or after adjustments, but it’s usually mild and temporary. Most people adjust within a few days and manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
Can I eat normally with wire braces?
Mostly yes—but you’ll want to avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods that can damage the braces. Think popcorn, gum, and hard candies. Softer foods are your best friends, especially in the first few days after an adjustment.
How long do I need to wear wire braces?
Treatment time varies, but most people wear braces for 18 to 24 months. Complex cases might take a little longer. Your orthodontist will give you a personalized timeline based on your smile goals.
Affording the Best Care
Our Great Smiles team works to find the best way to fit great dental care into your budget, with awesome payment options, maximized insurance benefits, and affordable solutions. Our FAQ pages have some answers to common questions about Invisalign or braces costs as well as dentist costs. Or, feel free to contact us for help. Plus, research shows that early dental visits can lower long-term costs, so we encourage families to come visit us at one of our five Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics locations.
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What to do in Meantime
Sometimes you might not be able to get to see an emergency pediatric dentist right away. We’ve got some important tips for the most common emergencies here!
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Knocked-Out Tooth
First, find the tooth. Always handle the tooth by the crown (that’s the big chewing part) and not the roots (the pointy side). You can rinse it off, but don’t handle it unnecessarily. After inspecting the tooth for fractures, you can try to reinsert the tooth into the socket if it’s undamaged (have your child bite down on gauze to keep it in place). If you can’t reinsert it, place the tooth in a cup of milk until you can see us. While baby teeth are not usually replaced, we recommend seeing your pediatric dentist ASAP!
Broken Tooth
Use warm water to rinse the injured area and apply a cold compress over the face. Find and save any pieces of the broken tooth that you can, and call your dentist for immediate treatment.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas and apply firm pressure with a gauze or a cloth to areas that are bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes (or it doesn’t respond to applied pressure), head to the hospital emergency room.
Toothache
Toothaches are the worst, and you’ll want to make an appointment with your pediatric dentist since there could be decay, infection, or worse! To help with the toothache, clean the affected tooth thoroughly and rinse with warm water. You can use dental floss to remove any impacted food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or tooth! If the face is swollen, use a cold compress to relieve some of the pain.
No matter what, you’ll want to take your child to the pediatric dentist as soon as possible if you have any of these dental emergencies. Even if you can’t get to the doctor right away, make an appointment for follow-up care or treatment for your little one.
