Fixed braces remain the most versatile tool in orthodontics. Brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by a wire that is changed over time, can correct crowding, spacing, deep bites, open bites and rotations that removable trays struggle with.
The visible difference between metal, ceramic and self-ligating systems is mostly aesthetic and mechanical. The biological limit, how fast bone lets teeth move, is the same for all of them.
When braces & orthodontics is the right treatment
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps and spacing
- Overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite
- Children and teenagers in the mixed or early permanent dentition
- Adults who want a definitive correction rather than a cosmetic compromise
What the treatment involves
- 1
Orthodontic assessment
Clinical examination, photographs, OPG and lateral cephalogram to understand whether the problem is dental, skeletal or both.
- 2
Plan and bonding
Extractions, if needed, are decided at this stage. Brackets are then bonded and the first wire placed. The appointment takes about an hour.
- 3
Adjustments
Visits roughly every four to six weeks to change wires and apply elastics as the teeth move through the planned sequence.
- 4
Debonding
Brackets are removed, adhesive is polished off and final records are taken.
- 5
Retainers
Fixed or removable retainers hold the corrected position. Retention is lifelong in the sense that some retainer wear is always advisable.
Cost
Braces cost is set mainly by bracket type, then by how long the case runs and whether extractions are needed.
See braces cost in Lucknow →Questions patients ask
Questions patients ask about braces and clear aligners
- Clear aligners or braces: which is better?
- What is the best age for braces?
- Veneers or braces for crooked teeth?
- How long do braces take?
- Do I need a retainer after braces, and which type?
- What types of braces are there?
- Metal or ceramic braces: which is better?
- Do braces change your face shape?
- What are the side effects of braces?
- Do braces hurt, and what can I eat?
- Do braces for overbite work?
- Do clear aligners work, and what can't they fix?
- Are self-ligating braces better than regular braces?
- What are lingual braces, and who are they for?
- What is orthodontic wax, and how do you use it?
- What is the right way of brushing with braces?
- What do braces rubber bands do?
- Can adults get braces?
- What are metal braces and how do they work?
- What causes crooked teeth, and can they be fixed?
- What is an overbite?
- What is an underbite, and how is it treated?
- What are aligners, and how do they straighten teeth?
- What is overjet, and how is it treated?
- What does malocclusion mean?
- What are buck teeth (proclined teeth), and can they be corrected?
- What is a narrow jaw, and can it be corrected?
- What causes an asymmetrical jaw, and does it need treatment?
- What is an orthodontist and what do they do?
- What is a crossbite, and does it need to be fixed?
- What is a palatal expander, and how does it work?
- What is a snaggle tooth, and can it be fixed?
- What is a deep bite, and how is it treated?
- What is an open bite, and can it be corrected?
- What is a permanent retainer, and how does it compare with clear and removable retainers?
- What is headgear for braces, and when is it used?
- What is an impacted canine, and how is it treated?
- What does occlusion mean in dentistry?
- What causes a gap between teeth and how can it be closed?
- Braces Cost in Lucknow
- Clear Aligner Cost in Lucknow
- Retainer Cost in Lucknow
Braces & Orthodontics: common questions
What age should a child first see an orthodontist?
Around age 7 to 8 is the usual first assessment, not because treatment starts then, but because jaw growth problems and crossbites are far easier to intercept while the jaw is still growing.
How long do braces take?
Most comprehensive cases run 18 to 24 months. Simple alignment can be shorter, complex skeletal cases longer.
Are ceramic braces slower than metal?
Modern ceramic brackets perform comparably to metal for most cases. They are less visible and more brittle, so bracket breakages can add appointments.
Do braces hurt?
Bonding does not hurt. There is soreness for two to four days after the wire is placed or changed, similar to muscle ache, and it settles.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.