Metal Braces - Dougherty Orthodontics

Trusted Treatment for

Stunning Smiles

At Dougherty Orthodontics, we offer metal braces as a main choice to straighten teeth and enhance smiles, along with a variety of other treatments to suit different needs and preferences.

With their proven track record and generations of remarkable results, these trusted orthodontic fixtures remain a reliable, effective solution for getting the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve — and they’ve only improved with age.

Breaking Down Your Braces

Traditional metal braces still remain the most popular method of orthodontic treatment today.

While they have a reputation for being uncomfortable and bulky, today’s metal braces are even more durable than ever — they also weigh less and feel more comfortable than your parents’ metal braces did

That means they’re a great choice for straightening your smile.

Modern orthodontic materials yield sleeker, low-profile brackets and wires that enhance patient comfort throughout treatment.

On the day you start treatment, Dr. Dougherty and her Smile Squad will explain all of the components of the braces and the process, so you will understand how each part works to help create your smile.

What Are Braces Made Of?

Braces have four main components that work together to give you that beautiful, healthy, and functional smile.

Brackets: These small, metal or ceramic/clear brackets bond to the surface of each tooth and hold the archwires in place.
Archwires: This is a flexible, thin wire placed in the brackets that stretches around the arch from one molar bracket to the other. Archwires come in a variety of sizes and will be changed multiple times throughout your orthodontic care.
Elastics: This is the fun part — we use these colorful, stretchy elastics to hold the archwire in place at each bracket. We’ll also change your elastics at each visit, so you can customize your look by choosing any color you wish.

This is especially popular with our younger patients or anyone who loves to show off their style.

Give Your Braces the Gold Treatment

At Dougherty Orthodontics, we believe your smile is amazing, and you shouldn't have to hide it during your orthodontic treatment.

That's why we proudly offer Iconix® gold braces so you can confidently display your beautiful smile every step of the way.

Iconix® — American-Made Brackets, Champagne Finish

Our Iconix champagne-colored brackets possess the same stainless-steel durability as standard metal braces while maintaining the discreetness of ceramic braces.

The distinct, white-gold color allows them to blend in seamlessly with your teeth and harmonize naturally with your smile. Unlike ceramic brackets, our gold braces are super tough and resistant to breakage, so you can rely on them to be a dependable and enduring solution.

The Reliable Aesthetic Choice

A touch of style goes a long way toward helping patients look and feel their best during treatment. Iconix Braces deliver dependable results in a beautiful and time-tested bracket body.

A unique proprietary process ensures the brackets will keep their brilliant light gold appearance for the duration of treatment.

The Many Benefits of Braces

Two important reasons to consider braces are the improved self-esteem and confidence that result from looking one’s best — but the benefits of metal braces go well beyond looks.

Braces ensure correct bite and tooth alignment, which has many positive side effects. Here are just a few of the advantages of choosing metal braces to transform your smile:

Improved ability to chew food

Improved speech and decreased challenges with speech impairment
Enhanced ability to brush, clean, and floss teeth
Fewer cavities and periodontal disease
Less grinding and chipping of teeth
Reduced risk of injury from protruding teeth

Braces can establish the foundation for a lifetime of improved oral health while helping you and your children look their best.

Metal Braces FAQ

How Do Braces Work?

Metal braces work by combining a system of brackets, archwires, and elastic bands to guide the movement of your teeth. Here's a breakdown of how each component plays a crucial role:

Brackets: The brackets are attached to the front surface of each tooth using a special adhesive. These brackets act as anchors for the archwire.
Archwire: The archwire is a thin, flexible wire that connects the brackets. It exerts gentle pressure on your teeth, gradually guiding them into their proper alignment.
Elastic Bands: Elastic bands, also known as ligatures, secure the archwire to the brackets. These bands come in a variety of colors, allowing you to personalize your braces and showcase your unique style.

As you make your way through your treatment, you’ll visit Dr. Dougherty for regular adjustments. During these appointments, we may tighten or replace the archwire to ensure the continuous movement of your teeth toward their perfect positions.

How Have Today's Metal Braces Changed?

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you’ll have less irritation in your mouth.

Traditional metal braces at Dougherty Orthodontics also come with a fun new twist without any extra cost — you can customize them with pops of color. The elastics that fit around your brackets come in various colors that let you showcase your personality whenever you want.

Pick your favorite color combination, the colors of your favorite sports team, or even your school colors!

Are Braces Right for Me?

Metal braces offer fantastic control and have been a trusted and effective treatment for many orthodontic problems for ages — including moderate to severe orthodontic issues, such as crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

However, determining whether metal braces are the right option depends on a number of questions that you and Dr. Dougherty will answer together.

During your consultation at Dougherty Orthodontics, she’ll evaluate your specific smile, dental condition, and treatment goals to provide personalized recommendations.

Transform Your Smile With Braces

At Dougherty Orthodontics, we understand the transformative power of a beautiful smile. Our skilled team of orthodontic specialists is committed to providing you with the highest standard of care and delivering exceptional results. With metal braces, you can achieve a straighter, healthier smile that will last a lifetime.