Treatment
Braces: metal, ceramic and digitally planned
Braces use brackets bonded to the teeth and an archwire that applies gentle, controlled pressure to move teeth gradually into healthier positions. Because braces remain in place throughout treatment, they allow for continuous tooth movement and precise adjustments at each visit. There is also nothing for you to remember to put back in.
Braces can be especially useful for movements that require a high level of control, including significant rotations, vertical tooth movement, bite correction, and guiding an impacted tooth into the dental arch.
At Luminary Orthodontics, braces are planned using a 3D digital scan of your teeth. Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong reviews the digital setup, plans the desired tooth positions, and determines where each bracket should be placed. Custom transfer guides are then used to help position the brackets according to that plan.
Who are braces for?
Braces are one of the most established and versatile orthodontic treatments and can be appropriate for a wide range of needs, including:
- Crowded, overlapping, or rotated teeth.
- Moderate to significant crowding.
- Gaps or spaces between teeth.
- Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
- Teeth that require significant rotation or vertical movement.
- Teeth that need more precise root movement.
- Impacted teeth that need to be guided into position.
- More complex bite corrections that require elastics or other orthodontic appliances.
- Patients who prefer not to be responsible for wearing removable trays.
- Teens and adults looking for a dependable fixed treatment option.
The right treatment depends on your teeth, bite, oral health, treatment goals, and lifestyle. Braces may be recommended on their own or, in some cases, as part of a combined treatment approach.
What happens during treatment with braces?
From your first scan to the day your braces come off, we explain each step before it happens so you know what to expect.
Your Smile Analysis.
We take photographs and a 3D digital scan of your teeth. Dr. Rose evaluates your teeth, bite, jaw relationships, crowding, spacing, and overall oral health.
The finish is planned first.
Using a digital model of your teeth and bite, Dr. Rose plans the desired tooth positions before treatment begins. Bracket placement is then selected to support that treatment plan.
Your braces are placed.
Custom transfer guides help position the brackets on your teeth according to the digital plan. Once the brackets are bonded, the first archwire is placed. Before you leave, we show you how to clean around your braces and care for them at home.
Adjustment visits.
You return at scheduled intervals so Dr. Rose can evaluate your progress and make the adjustments needed to continue moving your teeth. Wires may be changed, elastics may be added, and other modifications may be made depending on your treatment needs.
Removal and retainers.
Once treatment goals have been reached, the brackets are removed and your teeth are cleaned and polished. Retainers are then used to help keep your teeth in their new positions.
How long do braces take?
Treatment time with braces depends on your individual case.
Smaller corrections may take less time, while more complex crowding, bite correction, impacted teeth, or advanced tooth movements may require longer treatment.
Factors that can affect treatment time include:
- How far the teeth need to move.
- How much the bite needs to change.
- The complexity of the tooth movements required.
- Growth and development in younger patients.
- Keeping scheduled orthodontic appointments.
- Wearing elastics or other prescribed appliances as directed.
- Maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout treatment.
At your Smile Analysis, Dr. Rose provides an estimated treatment range based on your individual plan. This is an estimate rather than a promise. Teeth respond differently from person to person, and we keep you informed if your treatment timeline changes.
When are braces the better choice?
Clear aligners can treat many orthodontic problems, but braces may provide more predictable control for certain types of tooth movement or more complex cases.
Because braces remain attached to the teeth, they provide continuous force without relying on the patient to remember to wear a removable appliance.
Braces may be especially useful for:
- An impacted canine.
An impacted canine is a tooth that has not erupted normally and remains partly or completely beneath the gum. Once the tooth is appropriately exposed, orthodontic mechanics can be used to guide it gradually into the dental arch. - Significant tooth rotation.
Some severely rotated teeth may respond more predictably to fixed brackets. - Vertical tooth movement.
Teeth that need to move farther up or down may benefit from the control provided by braces. - Root movement.
Certain corrections require movement of the tooth root as well as the visible crown. - Larger bite corrections.
Braces can be combined with elastics, expanders, or other appliances when more significant bite changes are required. - Significant crowding.
When space must be created and then carefully managed, fixed appliances can provide precise control.
The right choice is based on the individual case. If clear aligners can predictably accomplish your treatment goals, Dr. Rose will discuss them. If braces offer better control, she will explain why.
How does digital bonding work?
Digital bonding allows bracket positions to be planned before the braces are placed on your teeth.
A 3D scan.
We capture a digital model of your teeth using an intraoral scanner. Traditional impression putty is usually not required.
Your treatment is planned digitally.
Dr. Rose uses the digital model to evaluate where each tooth needs to move and where the brackets should be positioned to support that movement.
Reviewed by Dr. Rose.
Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong personally reviews and adjusts the digital setup before approving the bracket positions.
Custom transfer guides are created.
Guides are made to match your teeth and hold the brackets in their planned positions.
The brackets are placed according to the plan.
During the bonding appointment, the guides help transfer the brackets to the teeth in the positions selected during digital planning.
The goal is greater consistency and accuracy in bracket placement from the beginning of treatment.
Digital planning does not replace the orthodontist. Teeth can respond differently than expected, so Dr. Rose continues to evaluate progress and refine treatment throughout the process.
How does Dr. Rose approach braces?
Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong takes a health-first, individualized approach to orthodontic treatment.
Every recommendation begins with the condition of your teeth, gums, bite, jaws, and overall oral health. The goal is not simply to make the teeth look straighter. The goal is to create a healthy, functional bite and a smile you can feel confident about.
Dr. Rose recommends braces when she believes they provide the level of control your treatment requires.
If clear aligners are also a good option, she will discuss them with you. If braces, aligners, or a combination would provide a more predictable result, she will explain the reasoning behind that recommendation.
The treatment method should fit the patient and the clinical need, not the other way around.
Before braces are placed, we also make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough to begin treatment. Throughout treatment, adjustments are made according to your individual response rather than following a one-size-fits-all schedule.
What is it like to be treated at Luminary?
At Luminary Orthodontics, we believe the treatment experience matters as much as the final result.
Appointments are designed to feel personal and unhurried. We explain what we are doing, answer your questions before moving forward, and make sure you understand what comes next.
You will know what is expected between visits, how your treatment is progressing, and when something needs attention.
Comfort is considered at every stage, from your first Smile Analysis to the day your braces come off.
When active treatment is complete, we provide a clear retention plan to help protect your result for the long term.
Which kinds of braces can I choose?
- Metal braces:
Small stainless steel brackets that are durable, reliable, and familiar. Depending on the system used, colored elastics may be available for patients who want to personalize their braces. - Ceramic braces:
Clear or tooth-colored brackets designed to blend more naturally with the teeth, making them less noticeable in conversation and photographs. - Champagne braces:
Brackets with a softer, warmer-toned finish than traditional bright silver. Some patients prefer this option for a more understated appearance.
Not every bracket style is appropriate for every case. Dr. Rose will explain which options are suitable for your treatment plan.
How do I care for my braces?
- Brush carefully around the brackets and along the gumline after meals whenever possible.
- Use floss threaders, interdental brushes, or other cleaning tools recommended by our team to clean between the teeth and around the appliances.
- Avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can damage brackets and wires.
- Do not chew ice or hard candy.
- Cut firm foods into smaller pieces rather than biting directly into them.
- Wear an orthodontic mouthguard for contact sports or activities where there is a risk of injury to the mouth.
- Keep orthodontic wax available for a bracket or wire that temporarily irritates the lips or cheeks.
- Contact us if a bracket breaks, a wire becomes uncomfortable, or something does not feel right.
- Continue regular dental examinations and professional cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment.
Common questions
Can adults have braces?
Yes.
Braces can be used at almost any age as long as the teeth, gums, and supporting bone are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment.
Many adults choose ceramic or champagne-colored brackets because they prefer a more discreet appearance, while others choose traditional metal braces because of their durability and efficiency.
Age alone does not determine whether braces are appropriate. Your oral health and treatment needs matter more.
Do braces hurt?
It is normal for the teeth to feel tender for a few days after braces are first placed and occasionally after certain adjustments.
Most patients describe this as pressure or soreness rather than sharp pain. The discomfort usually improves as the mouth adjusts.
Soft foods can make the first few days easier. If needed and medically appropriate for you, over-the-counter pain medication can be used according to the product directions or the advice of your healthcare provider.
If you experience unusual or persistent pain, contact our office.
Can I still play sports or an instrument?
Yes.
Patients with braces can continue playing sports. For contact sports or activities with a risk of impact to the face or mouth, an orthodontic mouthguard is recommended.
Most patients can also continue playing wind or brass instruments. There may be an adjustment period after braces are placed, but most musicians adapt with practice.
Do ceramic braces stain?
The ceramic brackets themselves are generally resistant to staining.
However, clear elastic ties used with some ceramic systems may become discolored by strongly pigmented foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, curry, or certain sauces. Those elastics are typically replaced during adjustment visits.
Good oral hygiene also helps keep ceramic braces looking good throughout treatment.
What happens after my braces come off?
Once your braces are removed, retainers are used to help hold the teeth in their new positions.
Teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment, so retention is an important part of protecting your result.
We explain your retention plan before active treatment is completed, including what type of retainers you will receive, how often they should be worn, and how to care for them.
Can I see my plan before I start?
Yes.
Because we use digital treatment planning, Dr. Rose can review the planned tooth positions with you before treatment begins.
The digital setup is a treatment-planning tool, not a promise of an exact final appearance. Teeth and supporting tissues respond individually, so Dr. Rose evaluates your progress throughout treatment and makes adjustments when necessary.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
Foods that are very hard, sticky, or chewy can damage brackets and wires and should be avoided during treatment.
Examples include:
- Ice.
- Hard candy.
- Sticky caramel or taffy.
- Very hard nuts.
- Popcorn kernels.
- Chewing gum if your orthodontist advises against it.
Firm fruits, vegetables, and other foods can often still be enjoyed by cutting them into smaller pieces rather than biting into them directly.
We provide simple food and care instructions when your braces are placed so you know exactly what to expect.
Sources
- BracesAmerican Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Read September 30, 2026.
- What Are Ceramic Braces?American Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
- What is an Orthodontic Emergency?American Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
- MouthguardsAmerican Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Read September 30, 2026.
- Oral HygieneNational Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH). Read September 30, 2026.
Your next step
The simplest way to find out what is right for you is a complimentary Smile Analysis. Reserve a time online, or call or text us and we will be glad to help.