Trusted & Affordable

Metal braces from Dr. Steve Henseler and Dr. Paul Kocian are highly effective, reliable, durable, and cost-effective, making them a popular treatment option for patients of all ages in Stillwater and Woodbury.

Stillwater & Woodbury Braces

Traditional metal braces are the oldest treatment in orthodontics, and they're still the most popular treatment we offer at Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics. Made from high-grade stainless steel, metal braces use a series of brackets and wires to move the teeth.

At Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer the latest braces technology to our patients of all ages in Stillwater, Woodbury, and the surrounding areas.

Stainless steel braces have been the industry standard for corrective orthodontics for decades, but we use 3M brackets that are smaller than standard braces and more comfortable in your mouth.

Braces are great at fixing complex tooth issues and work faster at closing gaps and aligning teeth than other treatments. That means you’ll spend less time in braces, and the time you do spend is more comfortable.

Metal braces are a cost-effective option because they don’t require some of the more complex technology or expensive equipment that newer treatments do. That makes them a great option for every smile!

woodbury mn orthodontics

What Makes Up Metal Braces?

Brackets

Dr. Henseler and Dr. Kocian use durable 3M stainless steel brackets with small spaces where we’ll thread a wire. Your orthodontist secures the brackets by placing an elastic over the wire.

Glue

This is how your orthodontist attaches the brackets directly to your teeth.

Wire

This thin piece of metal runs from one bracket to another. Dr. Henseler and Dr. Kocian shape and curve the wire to guide your teeth in the right direction. The wire typically attaches to all your bottom or upper teeth, but we might occasionally cut it if connecting just a few teeth is better for your treatment plan.

Elastics

If you need bite correction, elastics are essential. We normally string elastics between an upper bracket hook and a lower bracket hook to pull your upper jaw backward to correct an overbite or the lower jaw back to correct an underbite. We use rubber bands for various 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

We use these tiny elastic 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. Henseler and Dr. Kocian use these tiny rubber rings or bands to attach the archwire to the brackets. Elastics are less rigid than spacers and come in dozens of colors.

Metal Braces FAQ