What Are Braces Made Of?

Orthodontic braces are increasingly common with teenagers and also adults considering braces. Regardless of age, anyone wanting to take up brace treatment to straighten their teeth should be aware of the science behind braces – i.e. how do braces move your teeth. If you are already an orthodontic brace patient here at Whites Dental, chances are that you are fairly familiar with your brace appliances and your treatment plan already. We would like all our patients, existing and new, to be fully active participants in their brace treatment plan. A major part of that is to understand how braces work and what to expect over the course of your orthodontic treatment.

If you are an existing brace patient, we would have gone through the ins and outs of your particular orthodontic brace treatment option, including:

• How to care for your teeth and braces over the course of your brace treatment
• How often braces need to be adjusted
• The estimated treatment duration for your preferred brace treatment method
• What kind of foods to avoid
• The results you can expect to see from your brace treatment

In addition to the above, you should also understand the actual mechanics and science involved in gently moving the teeth from their existing positions into their new proper positions. Being aware of this helps you understand what’s happening behind the scenes as your braces create a straighter, healthier smile.

Let’s start with understanding what your orthodontic braces are actually made of, how they move your teeth and what you need to do to keep your teeth straight after treatment ends.

What Are Orthodontic Braces Made Of?

To understand how braces achieve teeth movement, you should first get familiar with their components — often referred to as orthodontic hardware. Braces have several important parts that work together to move your teeth to new, straighter positions:

Brackets – These are the most visible component of braces. Brackets are typically made from either metal or ceramic. Metal brackets are silver in colour and visible, while ceramic brackets are tooth-coloured and more discreet. They are bonded to the front surface of each tooth to hold the wires in place during treatment.

Most braces use front-facing brackets, though lingual braces (also known as Incognito braces) use brackets on the inner side of the teeth, making them invisible to others. Lingual braces are popular with adults who want a discreet treatment option.

Arch wires – These thin metal wires run through each bracket and apply constant pressure to move teeth into the desired position. The arch wire is the key force behind the straightening process.

O-Rings – Also known as ligature elastics, these small rubber bands hold the arch wire to each bracket. O-rings are changed during adjustment appointments and come in many colours. Teens often enjoy choosing bright or fun colours, while adults tend to prefer clear or neutral-toned options for a more discreet look.

Together, these components apply gentle, continuous pressure that shifts teeth gradually over time. In some cases, your orthodontist may also use rubber bands or springs to apply additional force in specific directions.

If you have a specific question about orthodontic braces, please post it in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer. If you’re considering fixed braces for adults, why not arrange a free orthodontic consultation with one of our dentists? Call 0208 616 0590 or email [email protected].

At Whites Dental, our orthodontists in London offer a full range of fixed braces — including traditional metal braces, lingual braces, Damon braces and ceramic braces. We’re based in London Waterloo & Marble Arch.