Fixed appliances

To achieve the best possible improvement to your smile the majority of patient's will require a fixed orthodontic appliance.

Small metal or ceramic attachments are bonded to each individual tooth and in some cases metal rings/bands are also fitted to the back molar teeth.

The brackets or bands are then connected by an archwire, and the archwire is then held into place with a small elastic ring called modules. Modules come in a variety of different colours for those patients who wish to customise their brace.

Because teeth are irregular the archwire that we use has to be fitted to bend up or down or in and out between the teeth. The archwire has a perfect shape memory and will gradually return to its original shape, bringing the teeth with it.

A fixed appliance cannot be removed and acts full time, and so it is a very effective appliance. Modern brackets are very small and cover a relatively small area of tooth.

Fixed appliances are adjusted at regular intervals to straighten teeth and correct the bite.