At Somerville Orthodontics, nothing means more to us than helping our neighbors feel confident in their own smile. Traditional metal braces are one of the most trusted, effective, and affordable ways to straighten teeth and build a healthier bite, and they’re more popular than ever with kids, teens, and adults across Somerville and the greater Boston area. Under the care of board-certified orthodontist Dr. Moonyoung Lee, our metal braces patients get precise, predictable treatment backed by real technology and a team that knows this community.
Traditional metal braces are the original orthodontic treatment, and still one of the most powerful. They’re made of high-grade stainless steel and work by bonding a small bracket to each tooth, then connecting those brackets with an archwire. As the archwire gently shifts back toward its ideal shape, it guides your teeth into proper alignment, one careful adjustment at a time.
Today’s metal braces are smaller, smoother, and far more comfortable than they used to be. With colored elastic ties, you can personalize your smile throughout treatment, a favorite feature for our teen patients. And because braces stay on your teeth around the clock, there’s no removing, no forgetting, and no compliance guesswork: your treatment keeps moving forward every single day.
Metal braces are having a real moment. The American Association of Orthodontists has reported a noticeable rise in patients, teens, and adults alike, asking for traditional braces instead of clear aligners, often crediting social media and a new appreciation for braces as a form of self-expression rather than something to hide. Beyond style, metal braces remain one of the most predictable options for complex bite correction, and they’re typically more budget-friendly than other treatments. For many Somerville families, that mix of proven results, personalization, and value makes metal braces the clear choice.
Decades of clinical results treating everything from mild crowding to complex bite issues.
Typically, one of the most affordable comprehensive treatment options we offer.
Choose your elastic band colors and make your braces uniquely yours.
No trays to remove or forget, your treatment progresses every day, automatically.
High-grade stainless steel brackets are built to handle everyday life, sports, and school.
Gives Dr. Lee precise control for significant crowding, spacing, and bite corrections.
Traditional metal braces work well across nearly every age and orthodontic need. They tend to be an especially strong fit if:
We'll talk through your smile goals and orthodontic concerns, and Dr. Lee will assess whether traditional metal braces are the right fit for you or your child.
Our digital scanner creates a fast, goop-free 3D image of your teeth, so we can map your treatment, estimate your timeline, and even preview your future smile before we begin.
We bond your custom stainless steel brackets and thread your archwire in a single, comfortable visit, no surprises, no long chair time.
Roughly every 4 to 6 weeks, we'll bring you in to adjust your archwire, refresh your colored ties, and track your progress toward your new smile.
Once treatment wraps up, we'll fit you with a custom retainer, sometimes produced right in our office with our in-house 3D printer, to protect your results for years to come.
| Traditional Metal Braces | Ceramic Braces | LightForce | Clear Aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Most visible (customizable with color) | Less visible, tooth-colored | Visible, but custom-fit per tooth | Virtually invisible |
| Removable? | No | No | No | Yes |
| Best for | Complex cases, budget-conscious patients | Patients wanting a subtler look | Patients wanting a fully custom, precision-fit bracket | Busy adults & teens wanting a discreet option |
| Relative cost | Most affordable | Moderate | Moderate–higher | Moderate–higher |
Schedule your Smile Assessment with Somerville Orthodontics today, in person or virtually.
Neither option is universally “better”; it depends on your goals, lifestyle, and orthodontic needs. Metal braces offer excellent control for complex bite and spacing issues and don’t rely on you remembering to wear them, while Clear Aligners offers a nearly invisible, removable option that suits many simpler cases. Dr. Lee will help you compare both during your consultation.
