Most patients wearing braces visit our office every 4 to 8 weeks. During these visits, Dr. Shah checks your progress, adjusts the archwires, and changes your elastics to keep your teeth moving according to your treatment plan.

To prevent damaging your brackets and wires, you should avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods like gum, chewy candies, nuts, ice, and popcorn. Hard foods like apples or corn on the cob should be cut into smaller pieces before eating.

Placing braces on your teeth is a completely painless process. However, you may experience mild soreness or tenderness for a few days following your initial placement or after periodic adjustment appointments, which can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

The average length of braces treatment typically ranges between 12 and 24 months. The exact timeframe depends on the severity of your alignment issues, the type of braces chosen, and how consistently you follow care guidelines.

Metal braces use stainless steel brackets, making them highly visible and extremely durable. Ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in with your natural teeth, offering a much more discreet look while delivering identical corrective strength.