Treatment You Can Trust
The most common type of treatment at Mountain West Dental Specialists is traditional metal braces. Dr. Tomlin uses this reliable tool to successfully straighten smiles for patients of all ages throughout Las Vegas and the surrounding areas.
Las Vegas Braces
Metal braces have had a reputation for being awkward and obvious. But, because of modern orthodontics, you'll benefit from smaller, less conspicuous, and more comfortable versions.
Metal braces are cost-effective because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. They are also strong and reliable, making them the top treatment for orthodontic patients in Las Vegas every year.
Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues. They can work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments, potentially shortening your treatment time at Mountain West Dental Specialists.
The Components of Metal Braces
At Mountain West Dental Specialists, Dr. Tomlin is proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before.
Made of high-grade stainless steel, traditional braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. At MWDS, you have the option of adding colored rings for a more unique and colorful smile.
Brackets
Dr. Tomlin uses durable brackets made from a mix of strong metals that have little hooks or doors where a wire is threaded. Dr. Tomlin can secure a bracket by closing the door or placing an elastic over the top of the wire.
Glue
This is what Dr. Tomlin will use to attach the brackets to your teeth.
Wire
This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Tomlin will change the shape and curvature of the wire to move your teeth in the right direction.
The wire will often attach all of your bottom or upper teeth together. We might occasionally cut the wire if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.
Elastics
If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. They're generally strung between an upper and lower bracket hook.
This pulls your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. We use rubber bands for many different situations, especially when we want to put extra pressure on the teeth or jaws.
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.
Spacers
Dr. Tomlin 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".
Elastic Ties/O-Rings/Ligatures/Colors
Dr. Tomlin uses these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers, and they come in several fun colors.