At Ahava Orthodontics in Fort Worth, we provide expert orthodontic care, including braces, to help kids, teens, and adults achieve a straighter, healthier smile with proven techniques and personalized treatment plans.
If you’re wondering how braces work to straighten teeth, you’re not alone. We hear this question daily from curious patients and parents. Braces might seem like a complex system of wires and brackets, but they follow a simple principle: gentle, consistent pressure over time guides your teeth into better alignment. Our orthodontist takes special care to design each treatment with your child’s or your needs in mind, ensuring that the process is both comfortable and effective.
How Braces Apply Gentle Pressure to Move Teeth
Braces work by using continuous pressure to gradually shift teeth in a specific direction. This pressure is applied through a combination of brackets, archwires, and sometimes elastic bands. The process begins when small metal or ceramic brackets are bonded to each tooth. These brackets are then connected with a thin, flexible wire called an archwire.
The archwire is adjusted throughout treatment to maintain just the right amount of pressure on the teeth. Over time, this pressure causes the bone surrounding the tooth roots to break down and rebuild itself, allowing teeth to move. This process is called bone remodeling, and it’s completely natural. Our Fort Worth orthodontist closely monitors this movement to ensure your teeth follow a healthy, predictable path to their new positions.
The Parts of Braces and Their Functions
Each part of your braces plays a unique role in the teeth straightening process. While the overall goal is alignment, different components contribute in specific ways:
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Brackets: Attached directly to the teeth, brackets hold the archwire in place. They can be made from metal, ceramic, or clear materials.
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Archwires: These thin wires are threaded through the brackets and apply pressure that moves your teeth.
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Ligatures: Also known as O-rings or bands, these hold the archwire securely to the brackets.
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Elastics: In certain cases, rubber bands may be used to help adjust the bite and jaw position.
As your orthodontist adjusts the archwire or changes the elastics during regular checkups, the braces continue guiding the teeth slowly and steadily toward alignment.
What Types of Issues Braces Can Fix
Braces aren’t just for crooked teeth. At Ahava Orthodontics, we use them to correct a wide range of dental concerns for kids, teens, and adults. Whether you’re dealing with crowding, spacing, or jaw misalignment, braces can help bring everything into balance.
Here are some common issues braces can correct:
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Crowded teeth or overlapping teeth
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Gaps between teeth
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Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
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Open bite where front teeth don’t touch
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Jaw alignment problems
By addressing these problems early, especially in children, we can often prevent more serious dental complications in the future. Early intervention can also shorten treatment time and reduce the need for more invasive procedures later.
How Long Do Braces Take to Work?
Treatment time with braces varies depending on the severity of the dental issues and how well the patient follows care instructions. On average, orthodontic treatment with braces takes between 18 and 24 months. However, some mild cases may be completed in as little as a year, while more complex treatments can take longer.
At Ahava Orthodontics, we provide a detailed timeline at your first consultation and keep you informed throughout every stage. Regular visits are scheduled every 6 to 10 weeks for adjustments, during which we check the progress and make any necessary modifications to your braces.
What to Expect During Braces Treatment
We make sure our patients and their families understand what to expect before, during, and after braces. While the first few days after getting braces might involve mild discomfort as your mouth adjusts, this quickly fades. Proper care is key to keeping treatment on track.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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Maintain excellent oral hygiene with brushing and flossing.
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Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can damage brackets or wires.
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Wear any additional appliances like rubber bands as instructed.
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Keep up with regular adjustment appointments.
Our team provides clear guidance and is always available to answer questions. We work with both kids and adults to make the journey as smooth and successful as possible.
Why Choose Ahava Orthodontics for Braces in Fort Worth
When you choose Ahava Orthodontics, you’re not just getting braces—you’re getting personalized care from a team who treats every patient like family. We specialize in braces for kids, teens, and adults, and we understand how to customize treatment to suit different age groups, dental conditions, and personal preferences.
We use advanced orthodontic technology to provide faster, more comfortable treatment. From digital scans to early orthodontic evaluations, we’re here to guide you from the first consultation through the final smile reveal. Our Fort Worth office is family-friendly, welcoming, and built around compassion and care.
Whether your child needs early orthodontic intervention or you’re considering braces as an adult, we walk you through every step of the process with honesty, clarity, and support.
Get the Help You Need from a Trusted Orthodontist in Fort Worth
If you’re looking for expert advice on how braces work to straighten teeth, our team at Ahava Orthodontics is here to help. We provide customized orthodontic care in Fort Worth with a focus on patient comfort and long-term dental health. Every smile we treat is a partnership, and we take pride in helping patients of all ages achieve confidence through a better bite and a straighter smile.
Schedule your free consultation today and let us show you how our approach to orthodontic treatment can make all the difference.
