How can braces move teeth?
Dr. Theo Mercer, a made-up host, answers this for kids on a sample page for orthodontists.
Dr. Theo Mercer Orthodontist Spicebush Orthodontics
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Transcript
Hello, my name is Dr. Mercer. I'm an orthodontist.
How can braces move teeth?
Braces have little brackets that stick to your teeth, and a wire connects them. The wire puts a steady push on your teeth. This push helps your teeth move to a new spot very slowly over time.
This pushing tells the bone around your teeth what to do. On the side the tooth is moving to, a little bit of bone melts away. Then new bone grows in the space behind the tooth. So your tooth has a new, strong spot to sit in.
Sometimes, an orthodontist uses small rubber bands called elastics. They hook onto the brackets and add more pushing in just the right way. An orthodontist is a dentist with extra training.
At each visit, the orthodontist checks how your teeth are moving. They might make a small change to the wire to keep the teeth moving. The wire might feel tight again after that.
Thanks for watching!
Sources
- American Association of Orthodontists: How Do Braces Work? (opens in a new tab)
- Peer-reviewed literature via PubMed / PMC: Orthodontic tooth movement: The biology and clinical implications (opens in a new tab)
- American Association of Orthodontists: Orthodontic Elastics: Are They For You? (opens in a new tab)