Crowding or spacing
Orthodontic assessment looks at the available space and the positions of teeth and roots. The plan may address crowding, spacing or rotations rather than changing tooth surfaces.
Orthodontics & Invisalign / Treatment guide
Braces
Braces use brackets attached to the teeth and a connecting wire to guide gradual tooth movement. Treatment is planned around alignment and the bite, with regular reviews and a retention plan after active movement ends.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
Let’s talk about your options See what care can involveA closer lookTreatment animation
The animation could not be played. Open the treatment video.
How braces guide movement
Brackets and a connecting wire guide a canine toward its planned position.
- 01Brackets
- 02Connecting wire
- 03Planned movement
The movement is shown at an accelerated pace. Treatment also considers the bite and needs ongoing review and retention.
Understanding your care
Alignment and the way teeth meet
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
Bite relationships
How upper and lower teeth meet matters alongside straightness. Some plans need additional appliances or other care, depending on the problem and the stage of growth.
Long-term position
Active treatment is followed by retention to help maintain the new positions. Discussing the retainer plan is part of understanding the full commitment before treatment begins.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Examine and record
Assess teeth, gums and bite, with appropriate photographs, scans or imaging. Discuss the goals and whether braces or another approach suits the diagnosis.
Place the braces
Attach the selected brackets and connect the wire. Explain how the appliances work and the role of cleaning, reviews and any additional components.
Guide the movement
Review the response and adjust the appliances as planned. Progress depends on the required movements, tissue health and participation in the treatment plan.
Move to retention
Once the agreed goals are assessed, remove the active appliances and provide a retention plan. Follow-up helps monitor the positions and the health of the teeth.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
Braces need regular monitoring and careful cleaning. Treatment can involve discomfort, gum inflammation, enamel marks or changes to roots, and teeth can move again after treatment. The plan may need additional appliances or other procedures. Suitability depends on the diagnosis and supporting tissues, and a specific result or completion time should not be assumed from an example.
Are braces only for teenagers?
No. Adults can also be assessed for orthodontic treatment. Gum health, existing dental work and the particular bite problem help determine which options are suitable at any age.
How do braces differ from aligners?
Braces are fixed to the teeth, while aligners are removable trays. Both guide tooth movement, but their practical demands and suitability differ. The diagnosis should guide the choice.
Will I need a retainer afterward?
Usually, yes. Teeth can change position after active treatment. Your clinician explains the type of retainer and ongoing plan needed to help maintain the result over time.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.