Larger rubber bands may also be placed between the upper and lower jaw to help with alignment. Ligatures are usually available in a wide range of colours with an NHS dentist.ĭentists use a special tool to fit and remove these fiddly little bands, as you'll see in the video below. The wire plays a big part in controlling how your teeth move, so those elastics have an important job to do. These are also known as ‘ligatures' or ‘o-rings'. Tiny elastic bands are placed on each of the metal brackets to hold the archwire in place. Ligatures hold the wire in place on each bracket There are two main kinds of orthodontic elastics used in braces, each serving its own purpose. Self-ligating braces are only available with private dental treatment. Self-ligating braces (like Damon braces) have a different style of bracket which lets the wire move automatically, so no elastics are needed to keep the wire in place. There is one type of metal brace which doesn't use coloured bands. You might have access to more exciting colour options as a private patient, too. There is also the option of clear braces or ceramic braces which work in the same way as traditional braces but are much less obvious.Įven if you or your child are not deemed eligible for NHS braces, you'll probably find fixed metal braces are still the cheapest option with a private dentist. You might consider removable invisible braces or hidden lingual braces if you want to have straighter teeth without brackets fixed to the front of your teeth. However, any other type of brace will only be available privately. Should you wish to have braces that are less obvious there are several options to choose from. If you or your child are eligible for braces on the NHS, you'll be given fixed braces made from metal. Treatment with coloured braces usually takes 18-24 months, depending on how misaligned your teeth are. The actual fitting shouldn't hurt but your teeth may feel uncomfortable for a few days afterwards and after each subsequent adjustment. It will take one or two hours to fit your braces, but each checkup will only be around 20 minutes. The orthodontist tightens the wire in different places to gradually pull your teeth into alignment. Your orthodontist fixes a metal bracket to each tooth with a strong dental cement, then connects the brackets with a wire called an ‘archwire'. It's the small elastic bands fitted to the brackets which allow you to add some colour.

2 How to choose the best colours for your bracesĪlthough they are often called ‘coloured braces', this type of brace is actually made from metal.

Royal blue braces color wheel