How Do Braces Move Teeth

The force behind teeth movement – The orthodontic brackets and arch-wires are very good at providing the pressure and force your teeth need to enable them to move to their new straight positions. An arch-wire is usually made from materials that get activated by body heat to increase its level of stiffness, even as it struggles to retain its normal shape. At Whites Dental, we initially use a wire called a twist wire; the twist wire is like a small metal cable that wants to remain straight. When the twist wire is placed on the teeth, the wire gets activated by the heat in your mouth. Once you are a bit further into your treatment, we will replace the twist wire with a wire that’s a little more flexible. This new wire is typically made of nickel-titanium alloy. This new nickel-titanium wire is also activated by the heat in your mouth, causing it to stiffen in the process. Once the orthodontic brackets are attached to the front surface of the teeth and tied to the arch-wire, this then completes the pressure and force transmission to your teeth, enabling them to gradually move to their new positions.