Traditional braces are metal or clear and, tried and true, are still the most popular option for orthodontic care — for kids, teens or adults.
When people think of braces, these are what they picture: brackets fixed to the front of your teeth with a wire threaded through them. The pressure from the wire, adjusted at each visit, gradually shifts your teeth into their proper positions. Your orthodontist plans your case personally, so this is a conversation, not a menu.
Three kinds of bracket
Metal. Stainless steel brackets — the most economical option, and the one with the most control. For complex movements — rotating a tooth, closing a large extraction space, correcting a significant bite — fixed brackets do things aligners cannot reliably do. Younger patients get to pick a new elastic color at every visit, which turns out to matter.
Clear. Ceramic, tooth-colored brackets that are far less noticeable at conversational distance. Mechanically the same as metal, with two things worth knowing: ceramic brackets are a little more brittle, and they demand real attention to brushing and flossing, because the tooth around a bracket can stain even though the bracket itself will not.
Gold Iconix. Instead of standard stainless steel, we also offer premium Iconix brackets: stainless steel finished in a champagne “white gold” color, which gives you the durability of metal with a warmer, more discreet look. Matched with a metal wire and clear ligatures, Iconix is a complete, patient-pleasing cosmetic system that asks for no sacrifice in performance.
If you want to know what each component is called, our braces diagram labels every part.
We are with you the whole way
We know you probably have questions, concerns and a few anxieties about braces — how they will feel, what you can eat, how they will look. No question is a bad question; we have heard and seen it all. You can talk to your orthodontic team in person at your appointment, call us, or send a message — whatever works for you.
Because everyone is unique, you will be working closely with your orthodontist throughout treatment to adjust your plan if it needs adjusting. That way, we give you the treatment that is right for you. After all, you deserve custom care.
Braces vs Invisalign — which is right for you?
Braces may be ideal if:
- You have complex alignment or bite issues
- You want a treatment that doesn’t rely on daily compliance
- You’re looking for a highly precise, fixed option
Invisalign may be ideal if:
- You prefer a removable, nearly invisible option
- Your orthodontic needs are mild to moderate
- You want more flexibility with eating and hygiene
We don’t push one option over another. Our goal is to recommend the treatment that best fits your clinical needs and your lifestyle. See our full clear aligners comparison and the Invisalign page.
How much do braces cost?
The cost of braces varies based on the complexity of the orthodontic issues, the length of treatment and the type of braces selected. During your consultation we provide a clear, personalized estimate and review your payment and insurance options in detail — see financial information.
Who we treat
We provide braces to patients from Sunset Park and across Brooklyn, and from all five boroughs — the Lower East Side, Chinatown, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island — with appointments that work for school-aged patients and working adults, including weekends.
Request a call back or call (212) 966-9628, and we will tell you which option we would choose for your teeth, and why.