Efficient Treatment You Can Trust

The most common type of treatment we use at Meyer & Dana Orthodontics is metal braces. However, all braces are not created equal!

At Meyer & Dana Orthodontics, we use self-ligating braces to move your teeth more quickly, with lighter forces and increased comfort.

What Are Braces Made of?

The non-friction function of self-ligation means more tooth movement is possible using fewer appliances and without the removal of permanent teeth.

The days of having braces tightened are over. Self-ligating brackets are tie-less brackets that reduce the pressure on your teeth.

Brackets

The brackets we use at Meyer & Dana Orthodontics are durable and made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.

Doors on the brackets slide open and closed to allow the high-tech wires to work more efficiently. These brackets are also lower profile, keeping lips more comfortable and help make cleaning easier!

Glue

This is what your doctor will use to attach the brackets to your teeth. It’s common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Your doctor will change the wire's shape and curvature to move your teeth in the right direction.

The wire will attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together in many cases. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Orthodontic Bands

These are stainless steel rings that your doctor will cement to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands can provide an anchor for your braces and orthodontic appliances, but they’re not used for everyone.

Spacers

These small elastic “donuts” or rings can be used to create space in between your teeth when needed, typically before bands are placed. They’re also referred to as separators.

FAQs

Before applying the brackets, your doctor and the team at Meyer & Dana Orthodontics will collect photos and X-rays of your mouth.

After the X-Ray and optional scan, we will use this information to create your customized treatment plan. This will include how each tooth needs to be moved to get it in the best possible position.

Your doctor will decide how to place the brackets based on this information. For example, if you have some teeth that need to be tilted, the placement of those brackets will be different than the placement of brackets for teeth that need to be turned.

Once the brackets have been attached, your doctor will insert the wire. Bends in the wire will provide different types of pressure on different teeth, allowing your orthodontist to cause specific and precise movements.

At Meyer & Dana Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in living near our offices in Rapid City, Spearfish, Gillette, Buffalo, and Pierre!

Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, thanks to modern orthodontics, you’ll benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before.

Sleeker brackets and lighter wires improve the appearance and feel of these braces. This means you’ll have less irritation in your mouth. Self-ligating braces also don’t require adjustment appointments, meaning fewer appointments and more comfortable treatment.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments might. This can potentially shorten your treatment time.

Metal braces are cost-effective because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. The strength, durability, and affordability of traditional metal braces keep them the top treatment for orthodontic patients in South Dakota and Wyoming, year after year!

This is what everyone who visits Meyer & Dana Orthodontics wants to know, but it’s something we don’t have a concrete answer for. Every mouth is different and everyone responds to treatment in their own way. Treatment time with metal braces at Meyer & Dana Orthodontics will be different every time.

The average time spent in metal braces is around 18 to 22 months but could be shorter or longer, depending on the individual and the treatment plan designed by your orthodontist.

We have some patients at Meyer & Dana Orthodontics in braces for as few as six months, but for complex issues, it can take over three years to complete the process.

With metal braces from Meyer & Dana Orthodontics, you’ll see signs of improvement in just a short time, and that gives you confidence during the treatment process.