Metal braces and clear braces
Made of high-grade stainless steel, traditional metal braces remain by far the most common type of fixed orthodontic appliance. They consist of metal bands that wrap around the molars in back, and smaller metal brackets that are cemented to the front surfaces of the other teeth. A thin, springy metal wire runs through the brackets and gently guides the teeth into a proper position. This archwire may be fixed to the brackets by flexible elastics, metal ties, or other types of clasps.