Types of braces

Orthodontic treatment usually involves wearing braces (removable or fixed) to correct the position of your teeth. Occasionally, it may also be necessary for your dentist to remove one or more teeth but this is increasingly rare.

In most cases, we’ll be able to offer you a choice of treatments, depending on your teeth, your lifestyle and the results you’d like to achieve. There are several types of brace available today, designed to look attractive and feel comfortable so you don’t have to feel self-conscious.

A fixed brace or ‘train tracks’ Small brackets are glued onto the teeth and connected by a wire which gently pushes teeth into position. In many cases, you can choose whether the brackets are metal, ceramic or even gold whilst the wires are available in a choice of colours. Think of it as mouth jewellery rather than a brace!
A removable brace A plastic plate worn inside, and moulded to the shape of, your mouth with delicate wires attached, which gently push your teeth into position.
A functional brace These are worn to correct the position of the jaws and the way the upper and lower teeth meet. They are usually removable but should be worn all the time.
A Retainer Once your teeth have been correctly positioned we’d recommend you wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position. top of page