Effective Treatment for Every Smile
The most common type of orthodontic treatment at Team Popp Dental is metal braces. These orthodontic staples have a solid history of straightening smiles at every age for patients around Chattanooga and the surrounding areas.
Chattanooga Braces
At Team Popp Dental, we’re proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages at our two Chattanooga offices.
Traditional metal braces are durable and affordable, making them the top treatment for orthodontic patients in Chattanooga year after year.
Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, because of modern orthodontics, you’ll benefit from versions that are smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than ever before.
Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments. This speed can potentially shorten your treatment time with Dr. Tom Popp.
What Are Braces Made of?
Brackets
Dr. Popp uses durable brackets made from a mix of stainless steel, nickel, and other metals.
Brackets have little hooks or doors where a wire is threaded. Dr. Popp can secure a bracket by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Popp will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth into straighter positions.
The wire will often attach all of your bottom or upper teeth. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.
Orthodontic Bands
We cement these stainless steel rings to your teeth using dental bonding agents. These bands anchor your braces and orthodontic appliances, but we don’t always use them for everyone.
Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors
Dr. Popp uses these tiny rubber rings to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers, and they come in dozens of colors.
Glue
Dr. Popp will use this to attach the brackets to your teeth. It's common to attach the bracket directly to the tooth with glue.
Elastics
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Popp will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth into straighter positions.
The wire will often attach all of your bottom or upper teeth. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.
Spacers
Dr. Popp uses these tiny elastic “donuts” or rings to create space between your teeth when needed, typically before we place your bands. People also refer to them as "separators".