Traditional Metal Braces
Cincinnati, Fairfield, & West Chester, OH
 If you want a proven, dependable way to straighten your teeth, Nelson R. Diers Orthodontics offers traditional metal braces in Cincinnati, Fairfield, and West Chester, OH. Metal braces are the most time-tested tool in orthodontics, using small brackets and a wire to guide teeth into place, and they correct nearly every kind of alignment and bite problem.
For many families, metal braces are the practical choice. They are usually the most affordable option, they work for children, teens, and adults, and they handle complex cases that other systems cannot always manage. They are part of the full range of orthodontic treatment we offer, alongside clear and removable options.
It is fair to say metal braces are the most visible option. Today’s brackets are smaller and more comfortable than the ones you may remember, though, and younger patients can pick colored elastics to make the braces their own. We will walk through how metal compares to clear and removable options so you can choose what fits.
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What Are Traditional Metal Braces?
 Traditional metal braces are fixed braces made of stainless steel. Our orthodontist bonds a small bracket to each tooth and runs a thin archwire through them, held in place by elastic ties or, in self-ligating systems, by the brackets themselves. Over the months that follow, the wire applies steady, gentle pressure that moves your teeth into better positions.
At each adjustment visit, we change or tighten the wire to keep the teeth moving. Metal braces stay on full time, so they keep working around the clock with no trays to remember or take out. Across our Cincinnati, Fairfield, and West Chester offices, they remain the most versatile tool we have for correcting crowding, spacing, rotations, and bite problems.
How Metal Braces Compare to Other Options
Metal braces and ceramic braces work the same way; the difference is that ceramic brackets are tooth-colored and less visible, while metal brackets are sturdier and more affordable. The Damon System is a self-ligating design that also comes in metal, so Damon is about the mechanism rather than the material. And Invisalign skips brackets entirely with removable clear trays. At your consultation, our orthodontist explains which option suits your bite, your budget, and your daily life.
Who Metal Braces Are Best For
Metal braces fit a wide range of patients. They are often the right call for:
- Complex cases – Severe crowding, rotations, and bite problems that other systems cannot always correct.
- Younger patients – Children and teens who do well with a fixed appliance and enjoy choosing elastic colors.
- Value-focused families – Anyone who wants effective treatment at the most economical price point.
- People who would rather not manage trays – A fixed option that works without remembering to wear or clean removable aligners.
If a less visible option matters more to you, we will say so and walk through the alternatives.
Your Orthodontist for Metal Braces
Dr. Nelson R. Diers is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics who has practiced for more than 45 years. He earned his dental degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Dentistry from Indiana University, where he continues to teach on the orthodontic faculty.
Brackets are something Dr. Diers knows at a level few orthodontists do. He was part of the original group of eight that helped design the Damon bracket, so he understands how bracket placement and wire sequencing affect both comfort and how quickly teeth move. With metal braces, that experience shows up in treatment that stays efficient and on schedule. He is also a member of the Schulman Study Group, drawn from the top 2 percent of orthodontic practices in the country. More about his background on his bio page.
The Metal Braces Process, Step by Step
From the first appointment to the day the braces come off, metal braces follow a clear, predictable path, and you spend most of it living your normal life between brief adjustment visits.
Consultation and Records
We start with an exam and digital imaging to map your bite and plan how the teeth need to move. Our orthodontist confirms that metal braces fit your case, then reviews how they compare to ceramic and aligners so your choice is an informed one.
Placing the Braces
At the bonding visit, we clean and prepare each tooth, then attach the brackets and thread the archwire. The appointment usually takes one to two hours and does not require any numbing. Younger patients choose their first elastic colors, and you leave with your braces in place the same day.
Adjustments Along the Way
Every six to eight weeks, you come in for a short adjustment. We change or tighten the wire to keep the teeth moving, and we swap the elastic ties, which is when kids pick new colors. You may feel mild pressure for a day or two after each visit, a sign the braces are doing their job.
Removal and Retention
When your teeth reach their planned positions, we remove the braces and polish the enamel, and retention begins. Almost everyone needs a retainer to hold the result, and because our lab is in-house, we make yours on site rather than waiting on an outside lab. Most cases run somewhere between eighteen and thirty months, depending on how much correction your bite needs.
Benefits of Traditional Metal Braces
 The biggest reason patients choose metal braces is range. They correct the widest variety of problems, including the complex bites and badly rotated teeth that clear options cannot always handle, which is why our orthodontist reaches for them first on the toughest cases we treat across Cincinnati, Fairfield, and West Chester.
There is a real value benefit too. Metal braces are typically the most economical way to straighten teeth, and our front desk maps your orthodontic insurance to a metal case so the benefit stretches as far as it can, with the out-of-pocket number in writing before you start.
Because they are fixed, metal braces also take the pressure off you. They work full time with nothing to take out, lose, or remember, which makes them a dependable fit for younger patients still building good habits. And on the rare day a bracket comes loose, our in-house lab means we handle the fix quickly rather than waiting on an outside lab.
The colors are a small thing that matters to kids. Being able to change elastic colors at every adjustment in our offices turns treatment into something a child looks forward to, and that buy-in often translates into better cooperation and a smoother result.
Why Choose Our Team for Metal Braces
The strongest reason comes down to bracket expertise. Our orthodontist helped design the Damon bracket and has placed braces of every kind for more than 45 years, so the decisions that keep a metal case efficient, like where each bracket sits and how the wire is sequenced, are second nature here.
We also run our own in-house lab, which means we make retainers and appliances on site and fit checks happen fast. And because this is a single-doctor practice, the same orthodontist plans and finishes your treatment from start to finish, across our Cincinnati, Fairfield, and West Chester offices.
We will also be honest about when metal is not your best path. Plenty of our braces patients are adults, and adult orthodontics goes into what treatment looks like later in life, including quieter options for those who want them. Our job is to match the tool to your case, not to push one system.
Traditional Metal Braces Cost and Financing
Cost matters, and we will give you straight answers. Metal braces are usually the most affordable braces option, because the materials cost less to produce, and the final number depends on how complex your case is and how long treatment takes. After your exam, you get a clear written estimate before you decide anything.
Orthodontic insurance usually provides a lifetime maximum that applies to braces regardless of bracket type, so a metal case is covered the same way any other would be. Our front desk works with all insurance companies, and our insurance information covers the basics while we verify your specific benefits.
Cost should not be what stops you from straightening your teeth. We offer flexible payment plans, a discount for paying in full, and FSA and HSA options, with the details laid out on our finance options page. Call (513) 829-4400 for an estimate built around your treatment plan.
Schedule Your Metal Braces Consultation
The next step is a consultation to see whether metal braces are the right fit for your smile. Call us at (513) 829-4400 to book a visit. We see patients at all three offices in Cincinnati, Fairfield, and West Chester. Our main office is at 1251 Nilles Rd, Suite 14, Fairfield, OH 45014-7205. You can also contact us with any questions before you schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do metal braces hurt?Not in any sharp way. Expect mild soreness for a day or two after placement and after each adjustment, which an over-the-counter pain reliever and soft foods handle for most people. If a bracket ever rubs your cheek, a bit of orthodontic wax smooths it over until your next visit.
How long do metal braces take?Most cases land between eighteen and thirty months, with simpler cases finishing faster and complex bites taking longer. The single biggest variable is how consistently you keep your adjustment visits at our offices, since each one moves the wire to the next stage of the plan.
Can I choose the color of my braces?Yes. At every adjustment, you or your child pick the color of the elastic ties, so they can change with the seasons, holidays, or a favorite team. If you would rather keep things low-key, clear or silver ties blend in, and a less visible option like ceramic braces is worth asking about.
Are metal braces better than Invisalign?Neither is better across the board; it depends on your case and your habits. Invisalign is removable and less visible but only works while the trays are in, so it rewards discipline. Metal braces are fixed and handle tougher corrections without relying on you to wear them. We help you weigh the trade-offs at the consultation.
What can I not eat with metal braces?The foods to avoid are hard and sticky ones that can pop a bracket or bend a wire, such as caramel, gum, hard candy, nuts, and ice. Crunchy favorites like apples and corn on the cob are fine if you cut them off the cob or into pieces. We send you home from the bonding visit with a full list so there are no surprises.
Can adults get metal braces?Absolutely. There is no upper age limit on moving teeth as long as your gums and bone are healthy. Many adults choose metal specifically for the value and reliability, and modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than the ones they grew up seeing.
What should I do if a bracket breaks or a wire pokes?Call our office and we will get you in to fix it; a loose bracket or stray wire is common and rarely an emergency. In the meantime, orthodontic wax covers a poking wire, and a clean pencil eraser can gently tuck it out of the way. Save any piece that comes loose and bring it with you.
Why choose Nelson R. Diers Orthodontics for metal braces?It comes down to bracket experience. Our orthodontist helped design the Damon bracket and has placed braces of every type for more than 45 years, which shows up in placement and wire choices that keep treatment efficient. Nelson R. Diers Orthodontics is a single-doctor practice with an in-house lab and three offices in Cincinnati, Fairfield, and West Chester, so the same orthodontist sees you through from start to finish. |
