How Do Dental Braces Work? Types, Costs and More Explained

Braces have come a long way, with more than four million people in the U.S. benefiting from them.¹ Braces are helpful for correcting orthodontic problems in children, teens and adults. In fact, one out of every three orthodontic patients is over the age of 18.² They come in a variety of forms, from clear aligners to ceramic and traditional metal brackets.

What Are Dental Braces?

Dental braces are a device used in dentistry to correct “malocclusions," which simply means crooked or crowded teeth.

There are several different kinds of dental braces to choose from. The most common type of dental braces is traditional braces. Traditional dental braces are metal or ceramic devices that affix to teeth directly, often with a type of bonding agent, and involve the use of brackets, bands (also called o-rings or elastics) and archwires.

When needed, additional devices such as palate expanders and temporary anchorage devices (TADs) may be used.

A newer type of orthodontic treatment is clear aligners such as Invisalign®. These are a series of clear plastic trays that exert pressure to move permanent teeth into the desired position. Unlike braces, these aligners can be removed from the mouth for eating — or selfies — but have a similar function in correcting orthodontic problems.

How Much Do Dental Braces Cost?

The cost of dental braces depends upon what type you select, where you live and the orthodontist's unique skills. The average cost of different types of dental braces is outlined below.³

Dental braces cost by type

How Do Dental Braces Work?

Dental braces rely upon pressure and time to correct and straighten teeth. The machinery of brackets, bands and wires exert pressure on teeth that slowly moves them into the appropriate position over time as the wires are tightened.

Clear aligners are a series of trays that also exert pressure to move the teeth into alignment, but can be removed.

Patients can also help the process along with good dental hygiene, avoiding certain food and drinks that can damage the brackets and visiting the dentist every three to six months while wearing dental braces.

Who Needs Dental Braces?

Children, teens, and adults can all be candidates for dental braces. While getting braces as a child is an ideal time to start (when the palate and teeth are more malleable), adults can get braces at any age to correct orthodontic issues. It may just take adult teeth longer to correct, since their bones are denser.

For children and pre-teens, an orthodontist assesses the need for braces between ages 6 and 12, and treatments may begin between ages 8 and 14.

Pros and Cons of Dental Braces

Choosing to align a smile has both aesthetic and functional benefits. Just as important as what braces can do is knowing the problems that can result from having an abnormal bite if you don't correct it. These problems include:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Affected speech and/or chewing
• Abnormal wear to tooth enamel
• Jaw problems

What to Expect When Getting Dental Braces

Getting your braces on is a process that takes a couple of hours. They'll start by cleaning your teeth and then gluing on the brackets, which are the metal or ceramic devices that attach to your teeth and hold the archwires.

Bands and wires

After the brackets are applied, your orthodontist will stick metal brackets around your back molars as foundations for the braces. Then they'll wrap the wires around each bracket and hold them in place with a little rubber band.

These rubber bands are elastics, commonly made with latex, that exert pressure on the braces. They have to be replaced often, as they lose elasticity, sometimes multiple times per day. They come in light, medium and heavy strengths. For people with latex allergies, there are bands in other synthetic materials. Not everyone has to wear them, but for those who do, they usually have to remain on most or all of the time.

Mouth tenderness

Your mouth and jaw may be sore for the first couple of days after getting your braces. Your orthodontist may recommend you eat soft, mushy food, as well as use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen until your mouth feels better.

What Not to Eat With Dental Braces

When wearing dental braces of any kind, it's important to limit sugary foods that lead to plaque build-up, foods that can stain teeth (such as coffee or red wine), and foods that can get stuck in your braces, such as:

• Popcorn
• Corn on the cob
• Chewing gum
• Whole apples
• Sticky foods

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Dental Braces

Whether you're investing in dental braces or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.^* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or orthodontist near you that accepts CareCredit to help get you on track to your perfect smile. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to orthodontics, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Jorge Oaxaca, D.D.S.

Dr. Jorge Oaxaca is a partner and owner of Oaxaca, Ong & Jensen Seal Beach DDS, located in Seal Beach, California. He has a holistic approach to dentistry and a passion for technology which has led him to practice progressive, cutting-edge computerized dentistry in his office to better serve his patients.

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, PayPal, The Washington Post and more.