Some smiles need brackets.
Traditional braces for teens and adults — in Tamarac and South Florida.
These aren’t the brackets you remember.
If you imagine braces as bulky metal blocks, miles of wire, and monthly tightenings that ached for days — that’s not what modern braces look like.
Today’s brackets are smaller, smoother, and bonded with less material than the systems we used twenty years ago. Modern wire alloys move teeth with gentler, more continuous force. Adjustments are less frequent and far less uncomfortable than most adults remember.
For the cases that need brackets — severe crowding, impacted teeth, complex bites — braces remain one of the most precise tools we have. They give Dr. Dulay a high degree of control over each individual tooth’s movement.
Who traditional braces are for.
Teens, 12 and up.
When growth and orthodontics align.
For most teens, braces remain the most common orthodontic treatment. Once their adult teeth have come in and growth is stabilizing, braces deliver predictable results across a wide range of cases — from cosmetic concerns to complex bite work.
Adults who chose braces.
Sometimes by choice. Sometimes by case.
Some adults arrive having considered aligners and decided braces were a better fit for their case. Others had aligner treatment elsewhere and need braces to complete what aligners couldn’t. Modern braces work as well for adults as they do for teens.
Complex cases.
Where precision matters most.
Impacted teeth, severe crowding, significant bite corrections, and certain rotations respond more predictably to braces than to other treatments. For these cases, brackets give us the most control over each individual tooth’s movement.
Before cosmetic work.
Foundation for veneers, crowns, and bonding.
Sometimes teeth must be moved into ideal position before restorative treatment begins. Braces deliver the precision needed for this kind of pre-cosmetic alignment — often resulting in more conservative and natural final restorations.
What braces are built for.
Modern braces address the full range of orthodontic cases, including many that aligners cannot reliably treat. The bracket-and-wire system gives Dr. Dulay precise control over each tooth’s movement — making braces one of the most versatile treatments in orthodontics.
The conditions on the right are common reasons braces remain a trusted standard for orthodontic care.
- — Crowding (all severities)
- — Spacing and gaps
- — Overbites and underbites
- — Crossbites
- — Deep bites and open bites
- — Rotated teeth
- — Impacted teeth (canines, premolars)
- — Pre-restorative repositioning
- — Refinement after aligner treatment
Smaller. Smoother. More precise.
Smaller brackets.
Less material in your mouth.
Today’s brackets are roughly half the size of the systems used twenty years ago. They’re bonded with less adhesive, sit lower on the tooth surface, and are less visible than the brackets most adults remember from childhood.
Gentler wires.
Continuous, less-painful force.
Modern wire alloys apply gentler, more continuous force than older stainless steel wires. Teeth move more steadily between adjustments. The result: less soreness, longer intervals between visits, and more comfort overall.
Often faster.
Modern systems, modern timelines.
Many cases that took 24 to 30 months on older systems are now completed in 18 to 24 months. Treatment time depends on complexity, but modern bracket-and-wire systems are typically more efficient than the braces of past generations.
Smaller brackets. Gentler force.
Same precise control.
Metal or ceramic.
Metal brackets.
Classic, durable, dependable.
The traditional bracket — small, polished stainless steel. Today’s metal brackets are roughly half the size of the systems used twenty years ago, with smoother edges and a lower profile than most adults remember from childhood.
Ceramic brackets.
Tooth-colored. Less visible.
Made from a tooth-colored ceramic material that blends with the natural tooth surface. The wire is still visible, but the brackets themselves are far less noticeable in conversation and photographs.
Both options use the same modern wire system. The choice is largely cosmetic.
What braces delivered.
Four cases from our practice, treated personally by Dr. Dulay.
Closing a midline gap.
Cosmetic concern, orthodontic answer.
Adult patient with a visible diastema between the upper front teeth. Treatment used braces to close the space while maintaining proper bite alignment. The result: a confident smile without the need for veneers or bonding.
Severe crowding, carefully managed.
Sometimes space must be made.
Teen patient with severe crowding where the existing arch couldn’t accommodate proper alignment. After careful planning, two premolars were extracted to create the necessary space. Braces were then used to gently move the remaining teeth into a stable, well-aligned position.
Recovering an impacted canine.
Bringing a tooth into its proper place.
Young adult patient with an impacted upper canine unable to erupt naturally. A small surgical exposure combined with carefully directed traction from the braces brought the tooth into its proper position over time. Aligners alone could not have managed this case.
Aligning teeth before veneers.
Setting the foundation for restoration.
Adult patient planning veneers on the upper front teeth, but with existing tooth positions that would have required overly aggressive enamel reduction or unnaturally thick restorations to mask. Limited braces were used first to bring the teeth into proper positions. The result: more conservative veneers with a more natural final look.
Wondering if braces are right for your case?
A consultation reviews your specific orthodontic needs and recommends the right treatment — braces, aligners, or both.
Book a Consultation →or call (954) 722-9020
One dentist. Every adjustment.
Personally monitored.
Not delegated.
Every adjustment is monitored by Dr. Dulay herself. Patients see the same dentist at every appointment — for case planning, for wire changes, and for refinements at the end of treatment.
15 years of orthodontics.
From teens through their 60s.
Dr. Dulay has provided orthodontic treatment since 2011, following extensive formal orthodontic training. She has treated patients across a wide range of cases and life stages.
Cosmetic perspective.
Braces that fit the bigger picture.
Because Dr. Dulay also practices cosmetic and restorative dentistry, she considers how braces treatment fits with any future veneers, bonding, or restorative work.
Braces, in plain numbers.
Most comprehensive braces cases. Limited cases may be less.
The exact fee depends on case complexity, treatment length, and the amount of movement required. You receive a personalized estimate after your consultation, before any work begins.
Many plans can be used.
We’re happy to verify your insurance benefits and apply them toward your treatment.
Pay over time.
Financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Cherry is available for qualified applicants.
Clear pricing upfront.
You receive your personalized treatment estimate at your consultation, before any work begins.
Want to know what your case would cost?
Your consultation includes a personalized estimate before any treatment begins.
Book a Consultation →or call (954) 722-9020
Questions we hear about braces.
Could clear aligners work for my case instead of braces?
Am I too old for braces?
How long will treatment take?
Do braces hurt?
What can I eat with braces?
How often do I need adjustments?
Can I play sports or musical instruments with braces?
How do I clean my teeth with braces?
What if a bracket or wire breaks?
Can braces fix my bite, not just straighten teeth?
What happens after braces come off?
What do braces cost?
Proudly serving braces patients from Tamarac, Coral Springs, Sunrise, Plantation, Margate, Lauderhill, Parkland, and surrounding South Florida communities.
The first step is a conversation.
An honest evaluation of your case, your options, and what will actually work for you — braces, aligners, or something else.
Dr. Dulay & Associates P.A.