Continuous wear
Brackets remain attached, removing the largest compliance variable associated with removable aligners.
02 · Compare · Kamloops
Metal braces: how fixed treatment works
Metal braces are the most visible fixed option, but they are durable, versatile and do not depend on remembering to insert trays after meals.
The plain answer
Their main advantage is continuous appliance wear; their main burden is maintenance around fixed hardware.
Brackets are bonded to teeth and connected by an archwire. As treatment progresses, wire properties and auxiliaries change to align teeth, coordinate arches and refine the bite. Elastics may still require patient cooperation even though the braces themselves are fixed.
Ask how often visits are expected, what foods are restricted, how to clean around the appliance, what to do after a breakage and how the final result will be retained.
What matters
Three things to evaluate before acting
Auxiliaries
Elastics, coils and other components may be necessary, so braces do not eliminate all patient responsibility.
Enamel protection
Excellent hygiene and regular dental preventive care are essential while brackets make plaque removal more difficult.
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Where this fits
Compare Invisalign, other aligners and braces honestly.
The Compare stage separates appearance from clinical fit. Invisalign is removable and discreet, but it depends on wear. Braces work continuously and may provide advantages for selected movements or for patients who do not want daily responsibility. The right comparison includes limits, not just benefits.
Hard or sticky foods can damage components, and inadequate cleaning can lead to gum inflammation or white-spot lesions. Broken brackets and poking wires may require an additional appointment.
Questions people ask
Useful answers before a consultation
Are metal braces only for children?
No. Adults can be treated with metal braces when they are clinically suitable and acceptable to the patient.
What if a bracket breaks?
Contact the treating office. Wax can reduce irritation, but the clinician should decide when repair is required.
Do braces require retainers afterward?
Yes. Teeth can move after any orthodontic treatment, so retention remains necessary.
References
Sources for this topic
External sources can change. Verify current regulatory, professional, manufacturer and local information at the linked publisher; these sources do not replace an individualized examination.
Presented by Blue Bird Dental, Hillside Dental and River City Dental. Last reviewed September 5, 2026. This content is educational and is not a substitute for an individualized examination, diagnosis or treatment recommendation. For pain, swelling, trauma, breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, infection or an appliance causing injury, contact a local dentist, treating provider or emergency service directly.