Modern

You'll find the latest advancements in braces technology at Paradigm Orthodontics in Halifax.

Book your free smile consultation to see which option is best for you and your family!

What Are Braces Made of?

With the newest technologies from Dr. Emanuele, you can enjoy fewer office visits and a more comfortable orthodontic experience. This includes traditional metal and clear braces and modern self-ligating braces.

Brackets

Dr. Emanuele uses durable brackets made from stainless steel, nickel, and other metals. Brackets have little hooks or doors where a wire is threaded. Your orthodontist can secure a bracket by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.

Glue

Dr. Emanuele will use this to attach the brackets to your teeth. It's common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Emanuele will change the wire's shape and curvature to move your teeth in the right direction.

The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth in many cases. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Elastics

If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. They’re generally strung between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook.

This pulls your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite, or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. We use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.

Orthodontic Bands

We cement these stainless steel rings to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but we don’t always use them for everyone.

Spacers

If we need to create space between your teeth, we put spacers on the job. We typically use these tiny elastic “donuts" or rings before placing your bands. You might also hear them called "separators."

Metal Braces FAQ

How do braces work?

Before applying the brackets, Dr. Emanuele and the team at Paradigm Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth. Our Halifax office is entirely digital, so there's no need for goopy impressions!

Sometimes we'll use our iTero Element scanner to scan each of your teeth and the layout of your gums and mouth. If necessary, this process takes 10-15 minutes and provides a highly accurate 3D view of your mouth.

After the X-Ray and optional scan, Dr. Emanuele will use this information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to be moved to get it in the best possible position.

Dr. Emanuele will decide how to place the brackets based on this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to be tilted, the placement of those brackets will be different than the placement of brackets for teeth that need to be turned.

Once we attach your brackets, Dr. Emanuele will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth to create precisely controlled movements.

What can I expect from today’s metal braces?

At Paradigm Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in Halifax and surrounding areas!

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, because of modern orthodontics, you'll benefit from smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable versions than ever before.

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. Self-ligating technology eliminates the need for uncomfortable adjustments, meaning you’ll have less irritation in your mouth.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might. This can potentially shorten your treatment time.

Metal braces are cost-effective because they don't require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. Traditional metal braces' strength, durability, and affordability keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients in Halifax year after year!

How long will I be in braces?

This is what everyone around Halifax wants to know, but it's something we don't have a concrete answer for. Every mouth is different, and every patient responds to treatment in their way. Treatment time with metal braces at Paradigm Orthodontics will be different every time.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual and the treatment plan designed by Dr. Emanuele.

We have some patients at Paradigm Orthodontics in braces for as few as six months, but it can take over three years to complete the process for complex issues.

With metal braces from Paradigm Orthodontics, you'll see signs of improvement in just a short time, which gives you confidence during the treatment process.

Self-Ligating Braces