‘Braces’ most commonly refer to the metal brackets, archwires and auxiliaries or “railway tracks” that are used in orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth. They are also known as fixed appliances.
Brackets are the tiny attachments that are bonded to the teeth, where they serve as handles of attachment to engage the archwires that contains the stored energy for tooth-moving forces.
By engaging the archwires with the brackets in a special way, the tooth-moving forces are transferred to each tooth, causing teeth to move. This engagement is called ‘ligation’ and it refers to the tightening of the braces that occur at each follow-up appointment for someone who started orthodontic treatment. Ligation may be carried out using small coloured rubbers or thin ligature wires.
At Precision Orthodontics, the steel brackets are extremely small with a very low profile (flat). These single-wing brackets are amazingly comfortable and highly technical providing Dr J with considerable customisation for individual tooth movement and precise results.
Ceramic brackets on the upper 6 teeth provide a more aesthetic option (used in combination with the steel brackets), and sometimes all teeth may have these ceramic brackets to provide maximum aesthetics. Ceramic brackets unfortunately have a higher profile (still comfortable, but not as comfortable as the steel brackets), they are less technical, and treatment may take slightly longer when using them.
Another option offered is active self-ligating steel braces (e.g. “Speed®” braces) where these brackets do not require constant ‘tightening’ but remain tight all the time. Follow-up appointments are less frequently required (ideal for long-distance treatments). Self-ligating ceramic brackets are also available.
A bracket-free option includes the use of clear aligners (no brackets, arch-wires or auxiliaries e.g. “Invisalign®”). This is the most aesthetic option, but this appliance is less customisable for finishing adjustments compared to the fixed braces. This option is also ideal for long-distance treatments.
All materials are imported from the USA, and the prescriptions used in this practice is the result of many years of research and experience and have been used with a high success rate and exceptional outcomes for many years.
The pictures below are examples of what a normal bite and tooth alignment looks like. You may compare your teeth to these:
Thank you for being such an amazing team & for all you have done to make me smile again!!!
Love Liesl
Thank you for everything you did for Michael. Your service is highly appreciated always.
Lots of love, Chinaka family
I can truly recommend Dr JJ van den Berg, he and his very capable and professional staff has transformed not only my teeth but inadvertently my life.
Erik
Dear Dr J and team. Thank you for creating a perfect smile and bite. And that after 41 years. I dreaded orthodontic treatment, being an adult and all, but you made the process comfortable and worthwhile.
Sophia
I just wanted to let you all know I’m engaged to the first guy I kissed with braces! I hope I’m a good story for all the adults who are hesitant about getting braces. Life changing I tell you.
Lots of love, Helen
Please note that we have relocated to 15 Peter Place, Bryanston.
Our telephone numbers will remain the same.