Braces work by manipulating the body’s natural ability to remodel bone. Through the use of gentle, controlled pressure and frequent adjustments, treatment with braces results in biological changes in the tissues and bone of the mouth and jaw, gradually correcting misalignment issues and creating a straighter, healthier smile. Each phase of braces treatment is part of a carefully managed timeline designed by your doctor to leverage your body’s natural healing and remodeling capabilities to move your teeth safely and effectively.
At Dental Depot of DFW, we make braces treatment convenient, comfortable, and personalized by offering orthodontic care in the same trusted office where you receive your routine dental visits. With the convenience of seeing the same doctor and team throughout your treatment, you get consistent care, better communication, and a more streamlined experience. Our orthodontic services are tailored to each patient, using proven techniques and modern technology to deliver confident, healthy smiles. With Dental Depot of DFW, exceptional orthodontic care can be accessible, affordable, and easy to manage for your entire family.
Braces treatment is more than just straightening teeth—it’s a complex physiological process that carefully guides tooth movement through bone remodeling and alignment. This process is divided into five distinct phases, each building on the last to ensure lasting, healthy results. While each phase relies heavily on your body’s natural biology, your daily habits and consistency with instructions like wearing elastics or avoiding certain foods play a major role in how quickly and effectively treatment progresses.Â
Because of the biological forces involved, professional oversight is essential to protect your oral health and achieve the best outcome, so it’s important to get an initial consultation from an experienced provider.
Your first consultation should be a relaxed, no-obligation meeting to determine if you are a good candidate for braces and establish a way ahead for treatment. During your initial consultation, your provider should:
The most important part of your consultation is that you are comfortable with the treatment plan and have a clear understanding of how it will meet your lifestyle and orthodontic needs.
Phase 1 begins the movement process by applying controlled, sustained pressure to your teeth via the placement of braces. Braces consist of brackets that are bonded to each tooth, an archwire that is threaded through the brackets, and elastic bands or other components. The archwire exerts pressure on the teeth, creating tension that encourages them to move.
During Phase 1, it’s important to be patient and follow care instructions. It’s normal to feel soreness or pressure for a few days after the braces are placed, but be sure to stick to soft foods, practice good oral hygiene, and avoid foods that could damage your braces.
Braces trigger a natural biological process called bone remodeling, which allows teeth to gradually move through the jawbone, not the gums. During this phase, bone is broken down on one side of the tooth (resorbed) and rebuilt (reformed) on the other, creating space for the tooth to shift into its new position.
During Phase 2, it’s important for you to keep up with your appointments and your oral hygiene. Movement is guided through the adjustments your doctor makes, and missing appointments or poor brushing habits can delay progress or cause issues like decalcification or gum inflammation.
Surrounding each tooth root is a soft tissue structure called the periodontal ligament (PDL). This network of fibers between your tooth and jawbone senses the pressure from the braces and communicates with the surrounding bone to signal where resorption and formation should occur. It also acts as a shock absorber during the movement process, stimulating safe, healthy movement without trauma.
During Phase 3, it’s important to avoid applying unnecessary pressure to your mouth. Habits like chewing on pens, biting nails, or grinding your teeth can overstress the PDL and slow progress or cause root damage.
As the bone continues to reshape and the teeth gradually shift, the overall bite begins to improve and issues like crowding or spacing are corrected. This phase focuses on fine-tuning the position of each tooth and aligning the jaws for a balanced, functional, and attractive smile.
During Phase 4, it’s important to wear any rubber bands or special appliances exactly as instructed. This is essentially a fine-tuning phase, and inconsistent wear can delay or undo progress, especially in regards to correcting bite or jaw alignment.
Once teeth are in their desired positions, the braces are removed and retainer is used to keep them in place, allowing time for the new bone structure and soft tissue to stabilize around each newly aligned tooth so your teeth don’t shift back.
Wearing your retainer is crucial for Phase 5. The retainer keeps your hard-earned smile in place while your body finishes stabilizing the bone and tissues.
Braces treatment is a journey, and at Dental Depot of DFW, we’re with you every step of the way. Our experienced team combines advanced orthodontic technology with friendly, personalized care to guide you through every phase of the process, from your first consultation to your final smile reveal. With flexible scheduling options and multiple convenient locations, we make it easy to fit quality orthodontic care into your busy life.
