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Private DentMetrik Oral and Dental Health Clinic
Prof. Dr. Beynun Akyavas Avenue No:33/AA, 34680 Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkiye.

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Metal bracket treatment, or classic braces, is the most established orthodontic method where tiny holders (brackets) made of medical-grade stainless steel are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth. Special alloy wires passing through these brackets guide the teeth into their ideal positions to correct crowding, gaps, and jaw misalignment. Despite emerging technologies and transparent alternatives, metal brackets remain the "gold standard" even in the most challenging and complex orthodontic cases due to their high durability and flawless three-dimensional mechanical control. At Dentmetrik, using the highest quality and tissue-friendly metal bracket systems under the supervision of our orthodontists, we promise both children and adults a healthy, aesthetic smile that lasts a lifetime.

Definition and Purpose of Metal Bracket Treatment

Metal bracket treatment is the system that most clearly utilizes the biomechanical principles of orthodontic movement. The main framework of the treatment consists of three essential parts: the metal brackets fixed to the tooth enamel with special adhesives, the orthodontic archwires with memory properties that pass through the grooves of these brackets to apply the actual force, and the tiny, colored or transparent elastic ties (ligatures) that hold the wire inside the bracket. Archwires are produced in the ideal, smooth curve form that the teeth should follow. When attached to crowded teeth, this wire applies constant and gentle force as it tries to return to its own ideal form. This mechanical force triggers a biological reaction within the jawbone, resorbing bone in the direction of movement and filling the space behind it with new bone tissue, thus moving the tooth millimeter by millimeter to its ideal position.

The primary medical purpose of this traditional yet highly effective treatment is to definitively treat structural imbalances called "malocclusion," where the upper and lower teeth do not close correctly. Crowded teeth are most prone to decay and gum recession because it is nearly impossible to brush away food debris trapped between them. When teeth are aligned perfectly and without error through metal brackets, maintaining oral hygiene becomes remarkably easy. Furthermore, by correcting conditions such as an open bite (front teeth not touching) or a deep bite (upper teeth overlapping lower teeth completely), the patient's tearing, chewing, and speaking (phonetic) functions are brought to ideal, healthy anatomical standards.

Types and Applications of Metal Bracket Treatment

While metal brackets are manufactured from a single primary material (stainless steel or titanium alloy) by nature, they are divided into advanced technological types based on their ligation mechanisms. At Dentmetrik clinics, we apply the following types based on the case and the patient's expectations:

  1. Traditional (Ligatured) Metal Brackets: The classic system where the wire is tied into its slot in the bracket with tiny rubber rings (ligatures) or thin wires. Child and teenage patients especially can make the treatment process fun by changing the colors of these elastics at each monthly check-up.
  2. Self-Ligating Metal Brackets: Also known as the Damon system, this modern type does not use extra rubber to hold the wire. The bracket features a tiny sliding/clip lid that locks the wire inside. Because no elastics are used, friction is significantly lower, allowing teeth to move faster, causing less pain, and enabling longer intervals between control sessions.

Metal bracket treatment can be applied to patients of all age groups, from 7 to 70, provided their bone health is sound. Especially in cases where aesthetic (clear) alternatives may be insufficient in applying necessary force, the primary applications of metal brackets include:

  1. Cases with severe crowding or space deficiency.
  2. Challenging operations to pull impacted canine teeth from within the jawbone into the dental arch.
  3. Major skeletal surgery preparations conducted in combination with jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), where teeth must travel large distances in three dimensions.
  4. Significant bite anomalies where the lower jaw is too far forward or backward.
  5. Situations involving "extraction orthodontics," where large gaps created by extracting teeth must be closed completely and flawlessly.

The Procedure and Process

The orthodontic treatment process with metal brackets begins with a detailed radiological analysis by our specialist orthodontist. The bone structure and the angles of the tooth roots are calculated via panoramic and cephalometric X-rays. A treatment plan is created using digital impressions taken with intraoral scanners. To prepare the teeth for bracket bonding, all cavities in the mouth are treated, and a detailed professional cleaning (scaling) is performed. It is mandatory to start orthodontic treatment with completely healthy gums and a clean enamel surface.

The bonding session is a completely painless procedure and does not require anesthesia. The front surfaces of the teeth are slightly roughened with a special solution and washed. Then, using special orthodontic adhesives that do not harm the enamel and leave no trace when removed, the metal brackets are placed one by one with millimetric calculations and cured with a blue LED light. Once the brackets are bonded, the first and most flexible nickel-titanium archwire is threaded through and tied, officially beginning the active treatment. The entire process takes an average of 45–60 minutes. It is perfectly normal to feel a slight stinging or pressure sensation for 2-3 days when the wires are first placed or monthly tightened (activated); this is proof that the teeth have begun to move.

During treatment, patients generally need to visit for routine check-ups every 4 to 6 weeks. In these sessions, the wires are thickened and directing forces are renewed. It is vital for patients using metal brackets to avoid acidic drinks, sticky foods (gum, caramel), and very hard foods (nuts, ice, shelled foods) to prevent brackets from breaking off. Additionally, oral hygiene must be kept flawless using special orthodontic brushes and interdental brushes to prevent food accumulation around the brackets. When treatment is finished, the brackets are removed in seconds with a special tool without damaging the teeth. The teeth are smoothed, and the process is crowned with a perfect smile by bonding an invisible protective wire (lingual retainer) to the back surfaces to prevent the teeth from returning to their old positions.

What Are the Advantages of Metal Bracket Treatment?

The greatest advantage that metal bracket treatment offers to both patients and physicians is unparalleled predictability and certainty. Stainless steel brackets are extremely resistant to breakage; therefore, the treatment process is not interrupted by mechanical failures. While the success of clear aligner treatments depends on the patient's discipline to wear the aligner for 22 hours a day (patient cooperation), the control of treatment with fixed metal brackets is 100% in the hands of the specialist; whether the patient forgets or not, the teeth continue to correct themselves 24/7 without interruption.

From a biomechanical standpoint, metal brackets remain the most powerful and fastest system for moving the root of the tooth within the jawbone in three dimensions (up-down, left-right, and rotation). Thanks to this strong pushing/pulling capacity, they can finish the overall treatment period months earlier than aesthetic alternatives in many difficult cases. Furthermore, since production costs are lower compared to porcelain brackets or clear aligner systems, metal bracket treatments generally stand out as the most economical and budget-friendly orthodontic treatment option. Due to its durability, affordability, and definitive results, it is an investment that has proven its reliability for years.

To receive detailed information about metal bracket (braces) treatment prices, child and adult orthodontic processes, and health tourism opportunities for international patients at our Ankara Dentmetrik clinic, you can contact us to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Slight irritations may occur on the inside of the cheeks and lips during the 1-2 week adjustment period after the brackets are attached. During this period, you can solve this problem instantly and painlessly by sticking the special "orthodontic protective waxes" we will give you onto the poking bracket. Tissues will get used to the presence of metal in a short time.

To prevent your brackets from breaking/snapping; you should stay away from hard nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, roasted chickpeas, candies that stick to the teeth such as gum and caramel, and acidic drinks (cola, etc.). As for hard foods like apples, carrots, and bagels, you can eat them not by biting, but by cutting them into small pieces with a knife and using your back teeth.

Since food accumulation around brackets is much easier, it is mandatory that you brush your teeth at least 3 times a day with your normal toothbrush, and additionally with special "interdental brushes" that go between the brackets. Otherwise, when the wires are removed at the end of the treatment, you may encounter white decay spots on your teeth.

Our patients using metal brackets generally need to come to routine clinical check-ups every 4 to 6 weeks for the activation of the wires, changing the elastics, and monitoring the process. Missing check-ups prolongs the treatment duration.

Of course. For our adult patients who do not want the classic metal look, we have sapphire/porcelain bracket options that are the same color as the tooth or completely transparent. Aesthetically, they are much less noticeable from the outside and provide the same mechanical success.

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