Braces for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Braces are still the most dependable way to correct crowding, spacing and bite problems, and they handle cases that removable trays cannot. At Savage Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Jackson Savage fits braces for kids, teens and adults across New Braunfels and the surrounding Hill Country.
Which type you end up in comes down to your case and what matters most to you. We go through both options together at your first visit, and nobody leaves without understanding why one was recommended over the other.
Effective Braces Options: Metal and Clear Braces for All Ages
Both types move teeth the same way, using brackets and an archwire that apply steady pressure over time. The difference is what the brackets are made of and how visible they are. Metal braces use stainless steel brackets and give Dr. Savage the most direct control over tooth movement, which matters on complex cases. Clear braces swap those for tooth-colored ceramic that sits much quieter against your smile.
Neither one is the better option in the abstract. They are better for different people, and that is the conversation we have at your consultation.
Metal Braces
Reliable and Effective
Metal brackets are smaller and lower profile than the ones most parents remember from their own treatment. They are the most durable option we offer, which is why they hold up well for younger patients and for anyone playing contact sports. They also handle significant rotation and bite correction more predictably than any alternative.
If your case involves a lot of movement, this is usually the shortest path to the finish.
Clear Braces
Subtle and Powerful
Ceramic brackets are matched to your natural tooth color, so from a normal conversational distance most people will not notice them. Teens who do not want a visible mouthful of metal in school photos tend to ask for these, and so do adults who spend their day in meetings.
They are slightly larger than metal brackets and need a bit more care to keep looking clean, which is worth knowing before you decide.
What Braces Correct
Braces do more than straighten front teeth. Most of what we treat falls into these categories:
- Crowding, where teeth overlap or twist because there is not enough room
- Spacing and gaps between teeth
- Overbite, where upper teeth sit too far forward
- Underbite, where lower teeth close in front of the uppers
- Crossbite, where upper teeth sit inside the lowers when you bite down
- Open bite, where teeth do not meet at all when your mouth is closed
Several of these affect how you chew, how easily you can clean your teeth and how much strain lands on your jaw. That is the functional side of orthodontic treatment in New Braunfels, and it matters as much as the cosmetic side.
How Long Braces Take
Most patients are in braces somewhere between 12 and 24 months. Where you land depends on how much movement your case needs and how consistently you follow the plan, including wearing elastics if Dr. Savage prescribes them.
You will come in every four to eight weeks for adjustments. Those visits are quick, usually under 30 minutes. Once your braces come off, you move into retainers to hold the result.
Why Choose Braces at Savage Orthodontics?
Expert Orthodontist
Dr. Savage is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, a credential that requires passing written and clinical exams beyond the orthodontic degree. Only a portion of practicing orthodontists pursue it.
Customized Treatment Plans
Our office uses digital scanning rather than physical impression trays, so treatment planning is more precise and considerably more comfortable. No goopy material, no gagging.
Comprehensive Care
We treat patients at every age, from first evaluations around age seven through adults finally doing something they put off for decades. Same team, same office, start to finish.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Ready to find out which type of braces fits your case? Come see us at our New Braunfels orthodontic office and we will take a look, explain what we see and lay out your options. You can schedule a consultation online or give us a call.