Metal Braces
At Endres Dental Care, we use traditional metal braces in cases with extreme overcrowding because they move your teeth in small increments at a time and give your dentist or orthodontist more control.
Dental Braces in Burtonsville, MD
Dental braces are tools that help correct problems with your teeth, like crowding, crooked teeth, or misalignment. Metal braces include brackets attached to the front of your teeth or bands that fit around each tooth with flexible wires or archwires that hold the bands together. Metal braces create pressure on your teeth with the brackets and wires to slowly move your teeth into the desired position.
While orthodontics can solve many tooth alignment problems, successful treatment relies on good patient compliance. To achieve a positive outcome, it is essential to wear elastic bands consistently, keep follow-up appointments for adjustments, and practice outstanding home care. This commitment involves frequent preventive visits with your hygienist. The Endres Dental Care team specializes in helping our orthodontic patients through this process so they can enjoy a gorgeous, healthy smile.
Schedule a ConsultationMetal Braces Cost
The cost of braces depends on the severity of the problem and the treatment options discussed between you and your dentist. Limited orthodontic cases taking less than 6 months generally cost between $500 and $3,000. Comprehensive cases taking 6-24 months fall in the range of $4,000 to $8,000, depending on time and complexity of treatment. Out-of-pocket cost depends on your insurance coverage at the time.
We will work with you to help braces fit in your budget. Our care coordinators are experts at finding creative ways for patients to fit the treatment they need into their personal budget. Call us if you have questions about financing braces.
Financial & Insurance InformationPros & Cons of Metal Braces
Pros:
- Suitable for any treatment. No matter how simple or difficult your case is, braces will help straighten your teeth.
- Boost your confidence. Having straighter teeth make most people feel much more confident about their smile.
- Multiple types of braces to choose from. Patients now have the option to chose between traditional braces, lingual braces (which attach to the back of the teeth) or ceramic braces to make braces less noticable.
Cons:
- Aesthetics of braces. Some people don’t like the look of braces and may feel self-conscious about their appearance.
- Taking care of your smile. Brushing and flossing your teeth is more difficult with traditional braces due to the wire. This means that is important to keep regular dental hygiene appointments to ensure your teeth stay healthy and clean.
- Avoiding certain foods. Hard and sticky foods should be avoided with braces because they can cause the arch wire to break. Multiple breakages can prolong your treatment time.
Can I choose between braces and Invisalign®?
Yes! Due to advancements in technology, most treatments can be completed with either metal braces or Invisalign®. However, our orthodontists prefer metal braces for pediatric and adolescent patients due to oral hygiene.
Learn About Invisalign®Meet Our Orthodontists
Dr. Stephen Tigani
Dr. Tigani has completed an extensive post-doctorate residency program to become a specialist in orthodontics. He is also the past president of the DC Dental Society. He has had a lifelong commitment to dentistry and orthodontics.
Dr. Elise Tigani Endres
Dr. Elise Tigani Endres has published extensive research in orthodontic journals and completed an extensive post-doctorate residency program. Now, she finds joy in helping her patients love their smiles.
Metal Braces FAQ
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Do braces hurt?
Generally, having braces is mostly painless. It is common to experience some discomfort immediately after getting braces on or after coming in for a regular brace tightening. This pain usually subsides within a few days and can be mitigated with over-the-counter pain medication, if necessary. It is also possible for a part of the brace to poke the inside of your mouth, causing discomfort. If this is happening to you, please contact us and we will work to adjust your braces so that pain goes away.
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Will braces make my smile perfect?
In most cases, yes! As long as your teeth are healthy, aligning them will likely give you the perfect smile you are imagining. It’s important to communicate with our orthodontists about exactly what you are looking for so they can plan your smile perfectly from the start. In some cases the teeth can be healthy but their natural shape may not be what you are envisioning. In these cases, our dentists can perfect the shape, size, or color with bonding or veneers.
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What foods should I avoid with braces?
It’s important to avoid foods that could damage the appliances. We’ve included a list of foods to avoid below, but note that this list is not exhaustive and there are other foods you should avoid. If you are curious about other foods to avoid, reach out to us and we will be happy to help.
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Hard Candies
- Foods that require you to bite into them, such as corn on the cob and whole apples
- Chewing gum
- Sticky candies, such as taffy
- Pretzels
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How long do I have to wear braces?
This depends on how much your teeth need to move in order to align them. Very small movements might be accomplished in just 1 to 2 months, while more complex cases may take 18 to 24 to properly align all of the teeth.
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Can I play sports with braces?
Yes! You can still play sports with braces, but you should wear an orthodontic mouth guard to protect your teeth. There are many different brands of mouth guards, so consult with one of our doctors to find the one that’s right for you.