Metal Braces

Oh, absolutely! If you haven’t seen braces in a while, you’ll be amazed by how much they’ve changed. Today’s traditional metal braces are sleeker, flatter, much more comfortable, and designed to look great. They are incredibly streamlined so they won’t irritate your cheeks or lips like older versions did, making the journey to a straight smile smoother than ever!

Yes, and it’s one of the best parts! At every single checkup in our Chatham office, you get to pick new colors for your ligature elastics (the rubber bands that hold the wire to your brackets). You can rock your school colors, match holiday themes, or choose subtle shades – it’s completely up to you to design your smile style!

It’s all about gentle, continuous teamwork! The high-quality brackets are safely bonded to your teeth, and a thin, flexible archwire connects them. This wire applies steady, gentle pressure to guide your teeth into their ideal positions. Every few weeks, you’ll visit us so Dr. Peterman can adjust the wire to keep your smile progress moving beautifully on track.

Don’t panic! This is 100% normal and actually a great sign that your treatment is working! In order for your teeth to move into their perfect positions, the supporting bone and tissue need to gently relax and reshape. That slightly loose feeling is completely temporary and will disappear entirely once your teeth finish their journey and settle into place.

Traditional metal braces are still the absolute gold standard because they are incredibly reliable, highly cost-effective, and powerful enough to fix even the most complex bite issues. If you or your child are deciding between metal braces, aesthetic Clear Braces, or removable Clear Aligners, we can help! Schedule a completely complimentary consultation at our office to build your custom smile plan.