Are Metal Braces Still a Good Option?

Choosing metal braces should feel straightforward. The decision comes down to how your bite moves, how you live, and what you plan to invest. Both braces and aligners can be excellent choices; the right fit depends on how your bite moves and what you can use consistently.

Most patients ask three things, which are, “Will braces correct my bite more reliably than aligners?, What will daily life look like?, and How predictable are cost and timing?”. Dr. Jezdimir and Dr. Frenchi are happy to answer those questions at LakePointe Orthodontics.

Braces And Aligners: When Each Works Best

Both options correct crowding, rotations, crossbites, and deep bites when planned well. Braces provide continuous control over every tooth, while aligners utilize features such as attachments, precision cuts, elastics, and bite ramps to deliver the same types of movements with a removable design.

Success comes from consistency. Aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, and braces need intact brackets plus elastic wear as prescribed. We help you choose the path that fits your routine so treatment stays on schedule.

How to Live With Braces Without Guessing The Next Step

The first week involves a short learning curve, after which the routine becomes predictable. Brushing and flossing take a few extra minutes, so we show you a pattern that is easy to repeat at home. A water flosser helps around brackets, and a fluoride rinse reduces the chance of white spots.

Tenderness after adjustment visits fades in a day or two, and soft foods plus saltwater rinses settle things quickly. Sports stay on the calendar, whether you are on the ice at the Civic Arena or playing a weekend game with friends, with a silicone mouthguard. For younger patients, colored ties add a little fun without changing the treatment plan.

Comfort Timeline And Real-World Fixes

Today’s brackets sit lower on the teeth, and modern wires deliver gentle, steady forces, so most people settle in quickly. Use this timeline and toolkit to stay comfortable from day one.

Day 1-3 Is All About Getting Used To The Brackets

Expect tenderness and a few cheek rubs as lips and cheeks adapt.

Quick relief: cold water sips, chilled applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs.

Saltwater rinse recipe: 1/2 teaspoon table salt in 8 ounces of warm water, swish for 30 seconds, 3 to 4 times a day.

Over-the-counter pain relief: ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the label. Children should avoid aspirin.

Week 1 Brings Smoother Cheeks And Faster Cleanups

Orthodontic wax: dry the bracket with a tissue, roll a pea-size ball, press for 5 seconds, and replace after meals as needed.

A proxy brush slides under the wire to clear food traps in seconds.

If a wire end pokes, cover it with wax and call our office for a quick clip. Do not cut a wire at home unless our team instructs you.

Month 1 And Beyond Consist Of Habits That Keep You Comfortable

Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline, above and below the wire, for two minutes.

Floss options: floss threaders, Super Floss, or a water flosser on a low setting.

Sports: wear an orthodontic mouthguard that fits over brackets. Boil-and-bite styles that lock onto brackets can stick, so choose a model labeled orthodontic.

Keep a mini kit: wax, a proxy brush, a compact toothbrush, travel toothpaste, lip balm, and a few elastics.

Costs, Insurance, And Ways To Save

A clear plan helps you budget with confidence. Here is what shapes your fee, how our team helps you use insurance and pretax accounts wisely, and simple ways to avoid extra costs.

What Drives Cost

Complexity of tooth and bite movements
Estimated treatment length and number of visits
Appliance choices, like metal vs ceramic, expanders, or other devices

How We Help You Plan

A clear written quote that outlines what is included, for example, diagnostic records, regular adjustments, and a first set of retainers. We also review any items that carry a separate fee, so there are no surprises.

Flexible options: Interest-free monthly plans, a courtesy for payment in full, and simple autopay.

Benefits check: We verify orthodontic insurance and explain lifetime maximums, percentages covered, age limits, and waiting periods.

Tax-smart payments: Many patients use HSA or FSA funds for orthodontic treatment.

Predictability You Can Count On

Both braces and aligners work around the clock when worn as directed, which helps keep timing and costs on plan. During your consultation, we map out a timeline, review benefits, and build a payment plan that fits your budget.

How We Personalize Treatment at LakePointe Orthodontics

Personalization starts on day one. We study tooth shape, gum health, bite, lip posture, and facial balance rather than just the crowding you can see. That information guides bracket placement, wire sequence, elastic wear, and decisions about expanders or bite turbos.

If you choose metal braces, we size archwires to your goals and set a visit cadence that fits your calendar. Teens who need early appointments before school in St. Clair Shores can get them, and adults who prefer fewer but more extended visits can schedule that style as well.

Small Comfort Upgrades That Pay Off

Ortho wax prevents a minor rub from becoming a sore spot.
A silicone mouthguard protects brackets and cheeks during contact sports.
A water flosser speeds up cleaning around brackets and wires.
Daily fluoride rinse lowers the risk of decalcification.
A pocket‑size proxy brush and toothpaste make lunchtime cleanup simple.

Eating With Braces Can Be Simpler Than You Think

You do not need a complicated diet, just a thoughtful one. Cut food into bite-sized pieces, choose tender textures, and avoid very sticky or very hard items. Fresh bread beats crusty loaves, sliced apples beat whole apples, and boneless chicken beats wings with bones.

Pizza night still works when the crust is soft and you slice it into manageable bites. If a bracket loosens, call us, and we will help you secure it until we can see you.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Both braces and clear aligners handle a wide range of cases. If you need the least visible option for professional or on-camera work, aligners or ceramic braces may be best. If you prefer an appliance that you do not remove, metal braces are a great match.

For periodontal concerns, aligners can simplify cleaning while we coordinate with your dentist or periodontist. Specific bite patterns benefit from aligners acting like bite plates, and others benefit from the continuous control of braces. We will recommend the option that supports your goals and daily habits.

How Long Will Treatment Take?

Timelines vary with the bite, the degree of crowding, and the goals you set. Simple alignment can take close to a year, and comprehensive bite correction can take longer. What you control makes a measurable difference. Protect brackets, wear elastics as prescribed, and keep brushing excellently, and each wire does its job efficiently.

Your First Visit in St. Clair Shores

Your complimentary consultation includes photos, digital x-rays, and a bite assessment. Dr. Jezdimir or Dr. Frenchi will listen to your goals, explain options, and outline a plan. You will leave with clear next steps, a cost estimate, and a timeline that fits your schedule.