Metal Braces

Proven Results.
Reliable by Design.

Metal braces have been the standard of orthodontic care for decades — and for good reason. They're precise, durable, and effective across a wide range of cases. At Agape Orthodontics, Dr. Luke recommends braces when they're the right clinical tool — not as a default, and not as a fallback. Serving kids, teens, and adults across Cupertino, Fremont, and Milpitas.

ABO Board Certified Kids, Teens & Adults iTero Lumina Scanner 3 Bay Area Locations
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Why Braces

The Most Reliable Tool in Orthodontics

Metal braces have been refining smiles for generations — and they remain the most clinically versatile orthodontic appliance available. While Invisalign has expanded significantly in what it can treat, there are cases where fixed appliances simply offer more control. Complex rotations, significant vertical corrections, and certain bite mechanics are areas where braces give Dr. Luke a level of precision that aligners can't always match.

That said, braces aren't for every case either — and Dr. Luke doesn't default to them. At Agape Orthodontics, the treatment recommendation is always based on what's clinically appropriate for the specific case. If Invisalign can achieve the same outcome with equal or better quality of life for the patient, that's what gets recommended. If braces are the better clinical tool, Dr. Luke will explain exactly why — with the reasoning, not just the recommendation.

For kids and teens especially, braces remain an excellent option. Compliance isn't a factor — the appliance is fixed, so tooth movement happens regardless of whether the patient remembers to do anything. For younger patients or those with more complex developing bite issues, that reliability is genuinely valuable.

Braces vs Invisalign — how Dr. Luke decides: The decision comes down to case complexity, patient age, compliance likelihood, and specific tooth movements required. At your first visit, Dr. Luke walks through both options honestly — including which one is better suited for your specific case and why.

One of the most common misconceptions about braces is that they're only for kids. Adults get braces at Agape Orthodontics regularly — particularly for cases involving significant bite correction, complex crowding, or movements that require the precision control of fixed brackets and wires. The clinical capability is the same regardless of age.

Another misconception is that braces are uncomfortable throughout treatment. Modern brackets are smaller and lower-profile than they were even ten years ago. The adjustment period after each wire change is typically a day or two of mild soreness — manageable for the vast majority of patients. Wax is available for any areas where brackets cause irritation early in treatment.

Braces also give Dr. Luke continuous, precise control over tooth position in three dimensions — horizontal, vertical, and rotational. Every bracket is bonded to a specific tooth at a specific angle, and the archwire that connects them applies consistent, calibrated force throughout treatment. That level of mechanical control is what makes braces so effective for cases that require it.

Treatment typically ranges from 12 to 24 months depending on the complexity of the case, the age of the patient, and how well the teeth respond to treatment. Dr. Luke provides a realistic timeline at your first visit — not a best-case estimate.
Is Braces Right for You?

Braces May Be the Right Choice If You Have...

Braces work across the full range of orthodontic conditions — from straightforward crowding to complex bite corrections. Dr. Luke recommends braces when fixed appliances offer a clinical advantage over aligners for your specific case.

  • Moderate to severe crowding
  • Complex bite — overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite
  • Significant rotations requiring precise control
  • Impacted or blocked teeth
  • Younger patients in active jaw development
  • Cases where aligner compliance is a concern
  • Preference for a fixed appliance that works continuously
Not sure which is right? Dr. Luke evaluates both options honestly at your first visit — including whether Invisalign could achieve the same result and what the trade-offs are either way.
Why Agape

Why Patients Choose Agape for Braces

Dr. Luke is ABO board-certified — a distinction held by approximately 35% of orthodontists. That certification reflects a clinical standard that goes beyond state licensing, requiring peer-reviewed examination of actual treated cases. When braces are the recommendation, it's because the case genuinely warrants it — not because it's the default.

At Agape Orthodontics, braces and Invisalign are treated as equal tools. Dr. Luke has no financial incentive to favor one over the other. The recommendation at your first visit is based entirely on what will produce the best clinical outcome for your specific case — and he'll explain the reasoning clearly before you make any decision.

We use the iTero Lumina — one of the most advanced intraoral scanners available — to build a precise 3D model of your teeth before treatment begins. Even for braces patients, this digital record informs treatment planning, tracks progress, and gives Dr. Luke a reference point throughout the case that traditional impressions simply can't match.

Your first visit includes a comprehensive examination, digital scan, and a same-day treatment plan with a clear investment breakdown. No second appointments just to get answers. No pressure to decide on the spot. You leave knowing exactly what treatment involves, how long it takes, and what it costs.

~35% of orthodontists are ABO board certified
12–24 months typical treatment range
3 Bay Area locations — Cupertino, Fremont, Milpitas
What Braces Treat

Braces Work Across a Wide Range of Cases

Metal braces treat the full spectrum of orthodontic conditions — from mild cosmetic alignment concerns to complex bite discrepancies requiring significant three-dimensional tooth movement. The fixed nature of brackets and wires gives Dr. Luke continuous control over tooth position throughout treatment, which is why braces remain the benchmark against which other orthodontic appliances are measured.

Braces and Invisalign are not competing products at Agape — they're different tools. Dr. Luke selects the one best suited to the specific clinical situation. For some patients, that's Invisalign. For others, it's braces. For a small number of complex cases, it may be a combination of both.

Impacted teeth — permanent teeth that are blocked from erupting naturally — are another area where braces are typically the better tool. Bonding a bracket to an impacted tooth and applying traction via the archwire is a well-established technique for guiding these teeth into the arch. This is a case type that Invisalign is generally not suited for without adjunctive fixed appliances anyway.

What happens after braces? Once active treatment is complete, Dr. Luke provides custom retainers and a retention plan tailored to your case. Retainers protect everything achieved during treatment — and Dr. Luke takes the time to make sure every patient understands why consistent wear matters long term.
The Process

How Braces Work

1
First Visit & Treatment Plan Dr. Luke examines your teeth and bite, takes an iTero Lumina 3D scan, and gives you a same-day treatment plan with timeline and investment details. No follow-up appointment needed just to get answers.
2
Bonding Day Brackets are bonded directly to each tooth using a safe dental adhesive. An archwire is threaded through the brackets and secured with small elastics. The appointment takes about 60 to 90 minutes — most patients leave the same day in braces.
3
Adjustment Appointments Every 6 to 10 weeks, you visit for a wire change or adjustment. Dr. Luke uses these appointments to monitor progress, make mechanical changes, and ensure the case is tracking as planned. Appointments are efficient — typically 20 to 40 minutes.
4
Debond When treatment is complete, brackets are removed and teeth are polished clean. The debond appointment takes about 60 minutes. Most patients leave with their retainers the same day — no wait, no extra appointment.
5
Retention Custom retainers protect your results long-term. Teeth will shift without consistent retainer wear — Dr. Luke walks every patient through a retention plan built around their specific case so the investment in treatment lasts.
Investment & Financing

Transparent Costs,
Flexible Options

Braces treatment at Agape Orthodontics is priced based on your specific case — complexity, treatment length, and the mechanics required. A complete investment breakdown is provided at your first visit before any commitment is made.

We are out-of-network with most insurance plans — but most PPO plans provide orthodontic benefits that apply to out-of-network providers. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins and handles all documentation to maximize your reimbursement.

0% Interest financing available
PPO Out-of-network benefits apply
FSA & HSA eligible

Braces are often comparable in cost to Invisalign for similar case complexity. For more involved cases where braces are the better clinical tool, the investment reflects the level of treatment required — not a premium for the appliance itself.

For families with multiple children in treatment, our financial coordinator works with each family's situation individually. Flexible in-house payment plans with 0% interest make treatment accessible without a large upfront commitment — no third-party lender, no credit check required.

A 3% courtesy discount is available for patients who pay the full treatment fee upfront via Zelle, cash, or check.

No obligation at your first visit. You leave with complete pricing clarity and all the time you need to decide. No deadline, no pressure.
FAQ

Braces Questions Answered

Most cases are completed in 12 to 24 months depending on complexity, patient age, and how well the teeth respond to treatment. Dr. Luke provides a realistic timeline at your first visit based on your specific case — not a best-case estimate.
Most patients experience mild soreness for one to two days after bonding and each adjustment appointment — a normal response to teeth beginning to move. Over-the-counter pain relief manages this comfortably for most patients. Brackets can occasionally cause minor irritation to the cheeks early in treatment — wax helps until the soft tissue adapts.
Yes — certain foods can damage brackets or wires and should be avoided throughout treatment. Hard foods like raw carrots, apples, and hard candy should be cut up or avoided. Sticky foods like caramel, gum, and chewy candy can pull brackets off. Dr. Luke's team provides a full food guide at the bonding appointment so there's no guesswork.
Brushing after every meal and flossing daily are essential with braces. Interdental brushes and floss threaders make it easier to clean around brackets and under wires. Dr. Luke's team demonstrates the full hygiene routine at the bonding appointment. Good oral hygiene throughout treatment protects against decalcification — the white spots that can appear around brackets if hygiene is poor.
Absolutely. Adults get braces at Agape Orthodontics regularly — particularly for cases involving significant bite correction or complex tooth movements where braces offer a clinical advantage. There's no age limit for orthodontic treatment, and results for adult patients are just as predictable as for younger patients when the case is planned correctly.
It depends on the case and the child. Braces are often preferred for younger patients or more complex cases because they work continuously without requiring any compliance from the patient. Invisalign is a strong option for motivated teens and older kids who will wear aligners consistently. Dr. Luke evaluates both options at your first visit and gives you an honest recommendation based on your child's specific case — not a default preference.
We are out-of-network with most insurance plans — but most PPO plans provide orthodontic benefits that apply to out-of-network providers. We verify your benefits before treatment begins and provide all documentation needed to maximize your reimbursement. Our team handles the coordination so you don't have to navigate it yourself.
Yes — always. Teeth will shift without consistent retainer wear after any orthodontic treatment. Dr. Luke provides custom retainers at the end of treatment and walks every patient through a retention plan built around their specific case. Retention is not optional — it's what protects the investment made throughout treatment.

Reliable Treatment. Proven Results.

Braces work. They always have. If braces are the right tool for your case, Dr. Luke will tell you — and explain exactly why. Schedule your first visit at any of our three Bay Area locations.

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