Braces are a fixed orthodontic appliance made up of brackets bonded to the teeth and wires that run through those brackets. Through the brackets, the wire applies a light, continuous force to the teeth, and the teeth slowly change position within the surrounding bone. Below you will find the different bracket types, how they compare, what daily life with braces involves and how check-ups are organised.
How do braces work?
Teeth are not fused directly to the bone; between the root and the bone there is a thin layer of connective tissue called the periodontal ligament. When a light force is applied to a tooth, bone is slowly resorbed on the side where the force presses and new bone is laid down on the opposite side. This remodelling is what allows the tooth to move. That is why the force needs to be light and continuous: excessive force does not speed up movement and can instead damage the tissues.
The system has the following parts:
- Bracket: A small holder bonded to the front surface of the tooth (the back surface in lingual systems). The angle and thickness of each bracket are set according to the target position of that tooth.
- Archwire: The wire that runs through the bracket slots and draws the teeth into the planned arch. It is changed several times during treatment, generally moving from thinner to thicker wires.
- Ligature: The small elastic rings or fine tie wires that hold the wire in the bracket. In self-ligating brackets, a built-in clip or door on the bracket does this job.
- Auxiliaries: Where needed, inter-arch elastics, springs or temporary anchorage screws may be used.
Who are braces for?
Braces are used for crowded, rotated or overlapping teeth, gaps between teeth, protruding front teeth, and bite problems such as deep bite, open bite and crossbite. They can be used in children whose permanent teeth have come through, in teenagers and in adults. We explain the general framework of which problem is managed with which method on our orthodontic treatment page.
When is treatment postponed or specially planned?
- In patients with active gum disease, gum treatment is completed first.
- If there is untreated decay, a filling or, if necessary, root canal treatment is done first.
- In patients who cannot maintain oral hygiene, the risk of enamel damage around the brackets is high; a reliable cleaning routine is established first.
- In adults with advanced bone loss, tooth movement is planned together with a periodontal assessment.
Types of brackets
Metal brackets
Made from stainless steel, these are the most widely used bracket type. They are durable, have a smooth surface and low friction against the wire, and are unlikely to break. They are used for everything from complex cases to simple corrections. Their one clear disadvantage is that they are visible. Because coloured elastic ties can be chosen, some children and teenagers actually come to see that visibility as a matter of personal style.
Ceramic (porcelain) brackets
These are made from a translucent ceramic material close to tooth colour, and they draw much less attention than metal brackets when you talk and smile. On the other hand, they are more brittle than metal brackets, and because they are hard they can wear the enamel of an opposing tooth where they touch it; for this reason they are not always chosen for the lower teeth. The clear or light-coloured elastic ties used with them can pick up stains from coffee, tea and some foods; these are replaced at check-ups. Removing ceramic brackets requires a more careful procedure than removing metal ones.
Clear (sapphire and composite) brackets
Monocrystalline clear brackets and composite-based brackets are also among the cosmetic options. In appearance they give a result similar to ceramic brackets. Staining and breakage characteristics differ according to the material. Which cosmetic bracket suits your bite is assessed at the examination.
Self-ligating brackets
In these brackets the wire is held by a clip mechanism built into the bracket rather than by elastic or wire ties. They can be made of metal or cosmetic material. Without elastic rings, the area around the bracket can be easier to clean, and wire changes at check-ups are more straightforward. Friction between wire and bracket is reported to be lower. However, the evidence in the literature that they shorten overall treatment time is inconsistent; what mainly determines duration is the problem itself. The main reason to choose a self-ligating system should therefore be comfort and ease of use, not speed.
Lingual brackets
The brackets are bonded to the tongue side, the inner surfaces of the teeth, so they cannot be seen from outside. They are usually custom-made. In the first weeks there may be tongue irritation and temporary difficulty pronouncing some sounds. They are harder to clean than brackets on the front surface, and check-up appointments may take a little longer. Factors such as tooth size and the depth of the bite determine whether lingual treatment is suitable; it cannot be used in every case.
Comparing bracket types
| Feature | Metal | Ceramic / clear | Self-ligating | Lingual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility from outside | Noticeable | Low | Depends on material | Not visible |
| Durability | High | Moderate, more brittle | High to moderate | High |
| Staining | None (ties may stain) | Bracket little, ties may stain | Less, as there are no ties | Not relevant, as not visible |
| Ease of cleaning | Moderate | Moderate | Relatively easy | Difficult |
| Adjustment period | Brief cheek and lip irritation | Similar to metal | Similar to metal | Tongue irritation, temporary speech change |
| Range of use | Very wide | Wide, attention to opposing teeth | Wide | Limited to suitable cases |
There is no row in this table for the "right" bracket, because there is no single answer. The appropriate choice may be different for an adult who cares about visibility and for a teenager who wants everything to be easy to clean. For patients who do not want a fixed appliance and whose case is suitable, clear aligner treatment is also an option.
The treatment process
- Examination and records: An intraoral examination is carried out, and X-rays, photographs and impressions or a digital scan are taken.
- Plan: The goals, bracket options, whether extractions are needed and the estimated duration are discussed.
- Preparation: Preliminary work such as scaling and treatment of decay is completed.
- Bonding the brackets: The tooth surfaces are prepared, and the brackets are positioned with a special adhesive and hardened with a curing light. The first archwire is placed. The procedure usually takes around an hour and does not involve injections.
- Check-ups: Wire changes, elastics and fine adjustments are made at these appointments.
- Removal: The brackets are carefully taken off, adhesive residue is cleaned away and the teeth are polished.
- Retention: The new position of the teeth is maintained with a fixed and/or removable retainer.
A plan cannot be made from photographs alone; an in-person examination and records are needed first. Treatment with braces also means regular visits over one to two years or more, so if you live outside Türkiye or are in Ankara only for a limited period, it is worth thinking about whether you can attend follow-up appointments here before bonding begins.
How long does treatment take?
Treatment with braces takes between 12 and 24 months in most cases. It can be longer where the bite is also being corrected or extractions are needed, and shorter for mild corrections. The type of bracket is not the main factor in duration. The severity of the problem, bone structure, age and the patient's cooperation matter more. Broken brackets and missed check-ups are the most common reasons treatment takes longer.
Check-up intervals
With fixed braces, check-ups are usually every 4 to 8 weeks. The interval depends on the type of wire and the stage of treatment: the flexible wires used early on can keep the teeth moving actively for a long time, so appointments can be further apart, while the finishing stage may need more frequent visits for fine adjustments. At a check-up the following is usually done:
- Tooth movement and the bite are assessed.
- The archwire is changed if needed, or bends are added to it.
- Elastic ties are renewed.
- Cleanliness around the brackets and the condition of the gums are checked.
- Tasks given to the patient, such as wearing elastics, are reviewed.
Routine dental examinations and scaling every six months should also continue during treatment with braces.
Living with braces
The first days and managing discomfort
For the first few days after the brackets are fitted, the teeth feel pressure and are tender when chewing. This can return briefly after wire changes. In most patients it eases noticeably within 3 to 5 days. During this period:
- Soft, easy-to-chew foods can help: soup, yoghurt, mashed potato, omelette, steamed vegetables, pasta.
- A pain reliever recommended by your dentist can be used for a short time.
- Orthodontic wax can be placed where brackets rub against the cheek and lip.
- Rinsing with warm salt water can help small irritations in the mouth settle.
If you have a sore in the mouth that does not heal, severe or increasing pain, or a wire end digging into your cheek, call the polyclinic rather than waiting for your next check-up.
Eating
You can eat almost anything with braces; what matters is how you eat it. Hard and sticky foods can break brackets or bend wires.
| Foods to avoid | How to manage them |
|---|---|
| Nuts in the shell, hazelnuts, roasted chickpeas, popcorn | Avoid them during treatment if you can; nuts can be crushed and added to other foods |
| Hard sweets, chewing ice | Avoid completely |
| Sticky sweets such as caramel, chewing gum, Turkish delight | Avoid; they pull brackets off and make cleaning harder |
| Hard fruit and vegetables such as apples and carrots | Cut into thin slices and chew with the back teeth instead of biting |
| Meat on the bone, corn on the cob | Take meat off the bone and cut corn off the cob |
| Sugary and acidic drinks such as cola and fruit juice | Limit them; rinse your mouth with water afterwards |
Brushing and oral care
Brackets create new surfaces where plaque can collect. Plaque left around brackets can cause permanent white spots on the enamel and decay. A care routine during treatment with braces might look like this:
- Brush after every main meal and before bed. If you are out, at least rinse your mouth with water.
- Angle a soft-bristled brush separately towards the upper and lower edges of each bracket; clean above the bracket, below it and along the gum line one by one.
- An orthodontic brush (with a V-shaped groove in the middle) and an interdental brush make it easier to reach between the brackets and the wire.
- Use a floss threader to pass floss under the wire. A water flosser can help but does not replace floss.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste; a fluoride mouthwash can be added if your dentist considers it appropriate.
- After brushing, check around the brackets in a mirror; no food should be left.
Sport and musical instruments
A mouthguard is recommended for contact sports; there are orthodontic mouthguards designed to fit over braces. People who play wind instruments may find it hard to adjust their lip position in the first weeks; this usually passes quickly.
If a bracket breaks or a wire pokes
A loose bracket or a poking wire end is not an emergency, but it should not be left either. A poking end can be covered temporarily with orthodontic wax. Call the polyclinic to report it; the repair is done at a separate appointment. A broken bracket left in place means that tooth stops moving and overall treatment takes longer.
Possible side effects
- Tenderness of the teeth in the first days and after wire changes.
- Temporary irritation of the cheek, lip or tongue.
- Enamel marks, decay and gum inflammation with poor hygiene.
- Slight shortening of tooth roots in some patients, monitored with X-rays.
- Partial return of the teeth to their former position if the retainer is not worn.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a tooth with a broken bracket and planning to "mention it at the next check-up".
- Not wearing elastics for as long as the orthodontist asks.
- Brushing only in the morning and evening.
- Biting pens, nails or packaging.
- Choosing a bracket type on appearance alone, without considering differences in cleaning and durability.
- Neglecting the retainer after the brackets come off.
Braces at Yetkindent
At our polyclinic, treatment with braces is planned and followed by Specialist Orthodontist Dr. Zeynep Yetkin. The bracket type is chosen after the examination and records, weighing the requirements of your case together with your own expectations. The polyclinic is at YDA Center on Dumlupınar Boulevard (Eskişehir Road) in Çankaya, Ankara, close to Çukurambar and Söğütözü, and is open Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 19:00, which helps when planning check-ups around school or work. If you are looking into treatment for your child, our children's orthodontics page explains what can be done at an earlier stage.
You can contact the polyclinic to arrange an examination and assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt when braces are fitted?
Bonding brackets does not involve injections and is usually not uncomfortable. The main tenderness comes as a feeling of pressure in the few days after the wire starts applying force to the teeth, and in most patients it eases quickly.
Which type of bracket is right for me?
That depends on your bite, the size of your teeth, how much visibility matters to you and your cleaning habits. The pros and cons of metal, ceramic, self-ligating and lingual options in your particular case are discussed at the examination.
Do self-ligating brackets shorten treatment?
The scientific evidence on this is inconsistent. Self-ligating brackets can have advantages for cleaning and comfort, but what mainly determines treatment time is the severity of the problem and the patient's cooperation.
How often do I need check-ups?
Usually every 4 to 8 weeks. Your orthodontist sets the interval according to the wire being used and the stage of treatment.
Can I chew gum with braces?
It is not recommended. Gum and other sticky foods cling to the brackets and wire and can lead to breakages and cleaning problems.
Do braces affect speech?
With brackets on the front surfaces, speech is usually not affected. With lingual brackets, some sounds may change temporarily in the first weeks; most patients adapt quickly.
Can adults have braces?
Yes. Braces can be used in adults whose gum and bone health are suitable. For adults who are concerned about visibility, ceramic and lingual brackets are among the options.
This content is for information only and does not replace an examination or diagnosis. The treatment that suits you is decided together with your dentist after a clinical examination and any necessary tests.