For starters, braces basically have three parts: the brackets which are attached to the tooth, the elastic band which attaches the bracket to the tooth, and the arch wires which runs from bracket to bracket and connects them to each other. Altogether, braces exert a constant pressure on your teeth to force then to conform to a favorable position. It is through this constant pushing which helps the teeth move to the right place. Your orthodontist will come up with a plan to move your teeth in a direction that will give you the straight teeth that you want. Depending on the materials used and how the braces are put on and adjusted, the pressure can be accurately directed to move the teeth to their proper conformation.

As your teeth move new positions, new bone cells usually take the place of the old ones, securing a new placement in your jaw. To achieve straight teeth, your braces will have to be readjusted every few months in order for your teeth to conform as precisely as they should. Sometimes your orthodontists will need to put springs or rubber bands to exert more force towards a specific direction. In some cases, your orthodontist may ask you to wear headgear to keep certain teeth from moving.

During the first few months of your orthodontic treatment, the objective may simply be to align your teeth and allow them to relate to each other. The time it takes for the entire treatment to progress depends on individual circumstances. Your orthodontist will need to consider the biological response time of your teeth as well as the response to the pressure being exerted. One person may finish treatment earlier than another who seems to have exactly the same problem. It is the orthodontist who will constantly monitor the progress of your braces and determine the length and extend of treatment.

It is also important to note that your oral hygiene has a great bearing on your overall treatment. The teeth do not respond and move well if there is an infection or some budding tooth decay. This is the reason why you should always maintain the best oral hygiene you can when you have braces. You should brush your teeth thoroughly, covering all crevices, nooks and creases, and floss afterwards. There is only so much that an orthodontist can do, you have to share in the responsibility as well by keeping your oral hygiene practices in place.

Putting on braces is a sure fire way to correct crooked teeth, wide gaps, and overlapping teeth. It is clinically proven to help alleviate malocclusion (bad bites) as well as preventing further shifting. However, for the treatment to work as effectively as you want it to, you have to do your part in the treatment process as well.