OPTION 01
Metal Braces
The classic, well-established fixed option — strong and suitable for a wide range of treatment plans.
Visibility
Cleaning care
Treatment guide
See exactly how your teeth will move.
Braces and clear aligners both guide teeth gently into place. Scroll through this page to watch how each one works, what daily life feels like, how long it takes and what happens afterwards.
Animated step-by-stepPlain languageReal clinic photos
The big idea
Teeth don't jump into place. They move step by step.
Drag the slider to watch crooked teeth glide into a straight line. Braces and aligners do this with light, controlled pressure — slowly, over many weeks.
Interactive demoBefore treatment
01
Plan
Your orthodontist studies your teeth, bite and smile goals before choosing a treatment.
02
Guide
Braces or aligners apply gentle, planned forces so each tooth shifts a little at a time.
03
Maintain
A retainer holds your new smile in place once active treatment is complete.
Start here
Two main options. Pick one to explore.
01 · FIXED
Braces
Brackets are bonded to your teeth and joined by an archwire. They stay in place and your orthodontist adjusts them at reviews.
See how braces work →
02 · REMOVABLE
Clear Aligners
A series of custom, see-through trays. Each one is shaped for the next small step of your planned tooth movement.
See how aligners work →
Chapter 01 · Braces
What are braces, and what do they do?
Braces are a fixed appliance. Small brackets are attached to your teeth and a thin archwire runs through them. As the wire is adjusted at your review visits, it steadily guides each tooth toward the position your orthodontist planned.
BracketsSmall attachments bonded to individual teeth.
ArchwireConnects the brackets and guides movement.
AdjustmentsProgress is checked and the appliance tuned at reviews.
RetainerWorn afterwards to help keep the result.
Tap a part
Anatomy of braces
The bracket holds
Each bracket is bonded to the front of a tooth. It has a small slot that holds the archwire and acts as the anchor point for movement.
The wire guides
The archwire runs through every bracket. It is shaped to the arch your teeth are heading toward and is changed or adjusted as treatment progresses.
Ties keep it secure
Small elastic ties (or a built-in clip on some systems) hold the wire in each bracket slot so the force stays steady between visits.
Brace options
Common types of braces
The right appliance depends on your teeth, bite and goals. Your orthodontist will recommend what is clinically suitable.
OPTION 02
Ceramic Braces
Tooth-coloured brackets blend in with your teeth for a more subtle look, using the same fixed-brace principle.
Visibility
Cleaning care
OPTION 03
Self-ligating Braces
Brackets with a built-in clip hold the wire without elastic ties. Ask your orthodontist whether this suits your case.
Visibility
Cleaning care
Bars are a general guide only — results vary between patients and cases.
Braces · step by step
How your braces treatment moves forward.
Six clear stages from your first visit to your retainer. Scroll to watch the line fill as you go.
1
FIRST VISIT
Consultation
Your teeth, bite and smile goals are examined and your questions answered.
2
PLANNING
Scan & plan
Records and scans help build your individual treatment plan.
3
DAY ONE
Braces are fitted
Brackets are bonded to the teeth and the archwire is placed.
4
OVER TIME
Teeth gradually move
The appliance applies planned forces to guide each tooth.
5
REGULAR REVIEWS
Adjust & check
Your orthodontist monitors progress and adjusts the wire or ties when needed.
6
AFTER BRACES
Retainer
Once braces come off, a retainer helps maintain your new alignment.
Treatment timeVaries from person to person and depends on your individual plan.
AdjustmentSome pressure or tenderness can happen after fitting or adjustments.
Your roleKeep braces clean, follow care advice and attend every review.
Living with braces
What will you feel, and what should you do?
A little preparation makes the adjustment period easy to understand.
Getting used to it
Teeth may feel pressure or tenderness while they adapt. Lips and cheeks may need a few days to settle.
Typical tenderness (illustrative)Finding your routine
Cleaning around brackets starts to feel natural. Soft foods and clinic advice help you through.
Typical tenderness (illustrative)Steady progress
Regular reviews keep treatment on track. Daily habits matter most here.
Typical tenderness (illustrative)Short, mild reminders
You may feel pressure again for a day or two after a wire change. It usually settles quickly.
Typical tenderness (illustrative)✓ Daily habits that help
- Brush carefully around brackets and along the gumline
- Follow your clinic's food guidance
- Choose soft foods when teeth feel tender
- Attend every review appointment
- Contact the clinic if a wire or bracket feels loose
✕ Things to avoid
- Hard or very sticky foods that can damage brackets
- Biting nails, pens or ice
- Skipping cleaning because teeth feel tender
- Missing reviews, even if everything feels fine
- Trying to adjust or remove parts yourself
Chapter 02 · Clear aligners
What are aligners, and how do they move teeth?
Clear aligners are removable, see-through trays made for a planned sequence of tooth movement. Each tray is shaped slightly ahead of where your teeth are now, so when you wear it as prescribed it gently nudges them toward the next planned position.
3D recordsTeeth and bite are assessed for planning.
Custom traysEvery stage is designed for your treatment plan.
Consistent wearFollowing the prescribed schedule is key.
ReviewsProgress is checked throughout treatment.
Watch it work
One tray at a time
Press play (or pick a tray). The clear shell sits just ahead of your teeth and pushes them into the next position — then you move on to the next tray.
StartRecords & plan ready
0%Of planned tooth movement completed (illustrative)
RetainersFollow the final tray to help hold the result.
Aligner journey
From your scan to your final retainer.
1Scan & assess
Your teeth and bite are examined and the records needed for planning are collected.
2Plan movement
The orthodontist plans the sequence of movements and the number of trays your case needs.
3Wear trays
Wear each tray as prescribed and move to the next stage only when instructed.
4Review & retain
Progress is checked, refinements are planned if needed, and retainers keep the result.
Your daily routine
What changes when you wear aligners?
Because trays are removable, the responsibility is yours: they only work when they're in. Aligners are usually worn for most of the day — your orthodontist will confirm the exact schedule for you.
Wear — follow the daily schedule prescribed for your treatment.
Out for meals & cleaning — remove trays to eat, then clean teeth and trays before putting them back.
Review — attend appointments so progress can be checked.
Braces vs aligners
Same goal. Different daily experience.
A simple lifestyle comparison. The clinically suitable option depends on your individual assessment.
Braces
Clear Aligners
Visible?
Yes — brackets and wire can be seen.
Designed to be less noticeable.
Removable?
No — fixed during active treatment.
Yes, when your instructions allow.
Cleaning
Extra care around brackets and wires.
Clean teeth and trays as advised.
Daily responsibility
Appliance care and appointments.
Consistent wear on the prescribed schedule.
How teeth move
Brackets and archwire guide planned movement.
A series of trays guides movement stage by stage.
Which one?
Start with your preference.
B "I prefer fixed treatment."
- Prefer a fixed appliance that stays in place
- Comfortable with visible brackets
- Can attend regular adjustment visits
A "I prefer discreet and removable."
- Prefer a subtle appearance
- Value removable treatment
- Can stay consistent with daily wear
After & around treatment
Three things patients should remember.
Bite matters
Planning looks at both tooth alignment and the way your upper and lower teeth meet.
Retention matters
Teeth can shift after treatment. Retainers help maintain the result, following your orthodontist's plan.
Reviews matter
Regular visits let your orthodontist track progress and respond to changes early.
Quick questions
Still unsure? Start here.
These answers cover the basics. Your own plan will always depend on your orthodontic assessment.
You may feel pressure or temporary tenderness after fitting or adjustments. Your team can explain what to expect and how to manage it.
It varies with your starting tooth position, bite, the planned movements and how consistently you follow the plan. Your orthodontist will give you a personal estimate.
You will receive food and care guidance. Some hard or sticky foods may need to be avoided to protect the appliance.
Yes — they are removable for eating and cleaning, but they only work when worn for the time your orthodontist prescribes.
Active treatment is followed by retention. Your orthodontist will explain which retainer and wearing schedule suits you.
Important: Treatment suitability, duration, appointment frequency, adjustment experience and retention instructions are individual. ORVI will recommend the appropriate approach after assessing your teeth and bite. Animations on this page are illustrations, not predictions.
Now the process makes sense.
Bring your questions to an ORVI orthodontic consultation.