Braces in Las Vegas & Henderson, NV
Still the most capable orthodontic treatment there is, and for a lot of bites still the right one. Here is how they actually work, what they cost, and how long you would be in them.
How braces actually move teeth
A tooth is not set in bone like a fence post in concrete. It sits in a socket, suspended by a ligament, and that ligament responds to sustained pressure.
Braces apply gentle, continuous force through an archwire held against each tooth by a bracket. On the side the tooth is being pushed toward, bone is gradually resorbed to make room. On the opposite side, new bone forms to fill the space behind it. The tooth does not slide through bone — the bone remodels around it.
That biology explains almost everything patients ask about. It is why treatment takes eighteen months rather than eighteen days: push harder and you damage the ligament and root rather than moving anything faster. It is why teeth feel tender for a day or two after each adjustment. And it is why retainers are not optional afterwards — newly formed bone needs months to mature before it holds the tooth firmly.
Aligners use the same underlying process. The difference is how the force is delivered, not what happens in the bone.
Types of braces we offer
All three work by the same mechanism. What differs is where the brackets sit and what they are made of.
Metal braces
Stainless steel brackets bonded to the front of each tooth. The most versatile option available, the most economical, and typically the fastest for complex movement. Modern brackets are noticeably smaller and lower-profile than the ones adults remember from the nineties.
- Handles every case type
- Lowest cost of the three
- Colour bands, if your kid wants them
Clear ceramic braces
Mechanically identical, but the brackets are tooth-coloured ceramic that blends into enamel. Far less noticeable at conversational distance. Slightly more fragile than steel, and they want more care around staining foods and drinks.
- Discreet without being removable
- Suits most case types
- Popular with teens and adults
Lingual braces
Brackets bonded to the tongue side of the teeth, so nothing shows from the front at all. Genuinely invisible, fixed so compliance is not a factor, and capable of more than aligners. Speech takes a week or two to adjust.
- Completely hidden when you smile
- Handles complex movement
- Candidacy confirmed at consult
Cases where fixed braces are the better answer
Aligners are excellent for a defined range of cases. Outside that range, braces do the job faster and more predictably — and Dr. Beth will say so.
Significant rotations
A tooth rotated well out of position needs a force couple to spin it back. Brackets grip the tooth from a fixed point and deliver that reliably; aligners struggle with severe rotation on round-rooted teeth.
Large vertical movement
Bringing a tooth down into the arch or pushing one up is among the hardest movements to achieve with a removable tray. Fixed appliances handle it routinely.
Substantial bite correction
Where the upper and lower jaws meet incorrectly, treatment often needs auxiliaries — elastics, springs, occasionally temporary anchorage. Those attach to brackets.
Closing extraction spaces
Moving teeth bodily across a large gap, rather than tipping them, requires precise root control. This is where fixed mechanics are clearly superior.
Impacted or unerupted teeth
A canine that has not come through often needs to be exposed and guided into the arch over months. That is a braces case, not an aligner case.
When compliance is unrealistic
Aligners work twenty to twenty-two hours a day or they do not work. Braces work while you sleep, forget and go on holiday. For some patients that is the deciding factor, and it is a legitimate one.
The reverse is also true. For mild to moderate crowding and spacing, aligners produce comparable results with considerably less disruption to daily life. We are not trying to talk you into brackets — the 3D scan at your consultation decides it, not a preference. Read about Invisalign.
What treatment looks like, month by month
Free consultation and 3D scan
About an hour. Clinical photos, an iCAT FLX scan of teeth, roots and bone, and Dr. Beth’s exam. You leave with a written plan, a projected duration and the exact fee.
Bonding day — 60 to 90 minutes
Teeth are cleaned and prepared, brackets bonded individually, then the archwire threaded and secured. It is not painful, though your jaw will be tired from holding open. Expect tenderness that evening and for two or three days after.
The first fortnight
The adjustment period. Soft foods for a few days, orthodontic wax for any spot that rubs, and a new brushing routine to learn. Almost everyone reports it is easier than they expected by week two.
Adjustments every 4 to 6 weeks
Short visits — the wire is changed or tightened and progress checked. Mild pressure for a day or two afterwards each time. This is the bulk of treatment and it is largely uneventful.
Detailing, months 12 to 20
The visible alignment is usually done well before treatment is. The final stretch is fine-tuning root position and how the bite meets — less dramatic, but it determines how stable the result is.
Debond and retention
Brackets come off in one appointment, adhesive is polished away, and impressions or a scan are taken for retainers the same day. You move straight into retention — the gap between debond and retainer should be hours, not weeks.
Food, cleaning and the occasional broken bracket
What to avoid. Anything hard, sticky or chewy: ice, hard sweets, caramel, taffy, nuts, popcorn kernels, beef jerky. Cut apples, carrots and corn off the cob rather than biting into them. Nearly every broken bracket we re-bond traces back to one of those.
Cleaning. Brush after every meal, angling the brush above and below the bracket rather than straight at it. Interdental brushes handle the gaps between bracket and wire; a floss threader or water flosser handles between teeth. This is the part patients skip and later regret — plaque left sitting around brackets leaves permanent white decalcification marks once the braces come off.
Keep seeing your dentist. Six-month cleanings matter more during treatment, not less.
If something breaks. Call us. Loose brackets are routine and usually a short visit. For a poking wire, orthodontic wax over the end will hold you until you can come in.
Braces cost in Las Vegas
Metal braces are typically the most economical orthodontic option available. Beyond that, the honest answer is that it depends on your case.
Fees track two things: how long treatment runs and how much movement is required. A twelve-month case correcting mild crowding and a twenty-four-month case correcting a significant bite discrepancy involve genuinely different amounts of clinical time, appointments and materials. Ceramic brackets cost more than steel, and lingual braces are custom-made per tooth, which puts them at the top of the range.
What is included here does not change: your records and 3D scan, every scheduled adjustment, and your retainers at the end. We do not quote a headline figure and then bill separately for things treatment obviously requires.
Most families pay monthly at 0% APR with no credit check. We also accept CareCredit, and your orthodontic insurance benefit is verified and applied before anything is financed.
Braces FAQ
How long do braces take?
Comprehensive treatment generally runs eighteen to twenty-four months. Simple crowding can finish considerably faster, and cases involving significant bite correction or impacted teeth run longer. Dr. Beth gives you a projected timeline in writing at the free consultation, based on your own 3D scan rather than an average.
Do braces hurt?
Getting them put on does not hurt, though your jaw will be tired. Expect tenderness for two or three days afterwards as the teeth begin to move, and mild pressure for a day or so after each adjustment. Over-the-counter pain relief and soft food handle it. Sharp or persistent pain is not normal — call us.
How much do braces cost in Las Vegas?
It depends on treatment length and complexity, so we quote an exact figure at the free consultation rather than a range that may not apply. Metal braces are typically the most economical option, ceramic costs more, and lingual braces sit at the top. Monthly plans at 0% APR with no credit check are available, and retainers are included.
What can I not eat with braces?
Hard, sticky and chewy foods: ice, hard sweets, caramel, taffy, nuts, popcorn kernels, jerky. Cut apples, carrots and corn off the cob instead of biting in. Almost every broken bracket traces back to one of those.
How often are adjustment appointments?
Every four to six weeks. The visits themselves are short, and we hold early-morning and after-school slots specifically for school-age patients so treatment does not eat into class time.
Can adults get braces?
Yes — roughly one in four of our patients is an adult. Teeth move at any age because the biological process does not stop. Adult bone is denser so treatment can run slightly longer, but results are equally stable. More on adult orthodontics.
What happens if a bracket comes loose?
Call the office. It is one of the most common things that happens during treatment and it is usually re-bonded in a short visit. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment, since a loose bracket is not applying the force it should be.
Will I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes, and it is not optional. Newly formed bone around each tooth takes months to mature, and teeth drift throughout life regardless. Full-time wear for the first year, then nights indefinitely. More on retainers.
Find out whether braces are the right call.
A free hour with Dr. Beth, a 3D scan, and a written plan with real numbers — including if the answer is that aligners would serve you better.