Metal Braces in Jacksonville, FL
Comprehensive metal braces at Bold Bite Orthodontics, traditional bonding with color-tie elastic bands at every adjustment. Every consultation includes a free 3D CT scan, digital impressions, and a published starting fee you see before you commit.
*For new patients only. Patients in treatment $100, deductible from comprehensive treatment fee.
Calculate Metal Braces CostWho Treats You
Metal braces at Bold Bite Orthodontics are placed and adjusted by an orthodontic specialist, board-certified by the ABO. You see the same doctor at every appointment.
Martin Greenberg
Orthodontist (ABO Board Eligible)
Dr. Greenberg personally bonds each bracket, adjusts each wire, and checks your final result. 6,000+ completed orthodontic cases.
Trang Cao
Board-Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Cao treats metal braces patients at Bold Bite Orthodontics alongside Dr. Greenberg. Book with whichever doctor your schedule prefers.
The Brackets Used at Bold Bite in Jacksonville
Not every metal bracket is the same. Bracket precision, base bond strength, slot tolerance, and surface finish all affect how predictably teeth move and how comfortable the brackets feel against lips and cheeks. Dr. Greenberg selected GC Rhodium & Lucchesi sub-slot brackets (primary system) for Bold Bite Orthodontics deliberately.
Why the Practice Chose GC Rhodium Brackets
Dr. Greenberg personally evaluated every major bracket system at the 2022 AAO Miami meeting over two full days before selecting the bracket Bold Bite uses today. The GC and Lucchesi sub-slot systems won on Japanese manufacturing precision at a fair price point, without the premium markup of other bracket brands. The sub-slot design allows passive, friction-free movement during the initial leveling phase and tighter active control during finishing.
GC Rhodium Brackets
traditional bonding with color-tie elastic bands at every adjustment. Paired with archwire system. Selected for slot precision, base-bond reliability, and clinical predictability through the full treatment cycle.
Generic Stainless Steel Brackets
Commodity brackets most offices use. Lower upfront cost, but slot tolerance and bracket positioning can vary. Higher profile brackets tend to irritate cheeks more.
How Metal Braces Work in Jacksonville
Metal braces move teeth by applying continuous, controlled force. A bracket bonded to each tooth grips the archwire. As the wire tries to return to its programmed shape, it pushes and pulls each tooth toward the target position. The wire is where most of the treatment happens.
Are Self-Ligating Metal Brackets Better?
Bold Bite uses self-ligating brackets for its ceramic option because color ties discolor over a twelve-to-eighteen-month treatment and patients choosing ceramic want maximum aesthetics. Self-ligation eliminates the visible elastic tie and keeps the ceramic bracket looking clean through the end of treatment. Outside that specific aesthetic reason, Dr. Greenberg does not take a strong position in the broader self-ligating-vs.-conventional mechanics debate — for most metal cases, the conventional color-tie system works equally well and gives younger patients the part they enjoy most.
Free Consultation
Vatech Green CT 3D CT scan + iTero and Allied Star digital impressions. Bite exam, options discussion, cost estimate.
Braces Placement
Same-day starts available. Brackets bonded, first wire placed. About 60-90 minutes. Pick your first band colors.
Adjustments
Every 6-8 weeks. Wire changes, progress checks, new band colors. Your doctor at every appointment.
Removal + Retainers
Braces off, teeth polished, retainers fabricated in-house on 3D-printed models.
Treatment timeline: 12-18 months standard. 18-24 months complex. Phase 1: 6-12 months.
Pick Your Colors at Every Visit
Metal braces use elastic ties (ligatures) that hold the wire in the bracket. These come in dozens of colors, and you pick new ones at every adjustment. Self-ligating ceramic braces do not have elastic ties, so colors are a metal-braces-only feature.
Do Colored Bands Affect Treatment?
Colored elastic ties do not slow treatment, change tooth movement, or stain enamel. Their only job is to hold the archwire in the bracket slot. The Bold Bite team encourages patients to have fun with them. Color choice is shown to patients at the first bonding visit and again at every six-to-eight-week adjustment. Jacksonville Jaguars teal, black and gold combinations are the most requested locally, with holiday themes in December, orange and green during the county fair, and near-invisible clear or pearl ties for patients who would rather the bands disappear altogether. Dr. Greenberg treats the color-choosing conversation as one of the best parts of adolescent orthodontic visits — it keeps kids engaged in their own treatment.
Color Options
Popular Combinations in Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars teal + black + gold, Florida sunset coral + aqua, or near-invisible clear + pearl
Jacksonville Jaguars
Teal + black + gold
Florida Sunset
Coral + aqua
Surfside
Turquoise + sand
Beach Party
Pink + lime
Hidden
Clear + pearl
Holiday
Red + green
July 4th
Red + white + blue
Stealth
Silver + gray
Classic
Black + gold
Metal Braces vs Clear Braces vs Clear Aligners
Dr. Greenberg recommends braces more often in moderate-to-complex cases because they give stronger control over bite correction, tooth rotation, and vertical positioning. The deciding factor is which system gives the best control for your specific problem, not which looks nicer.
| Factor | Metal Braces | Clear Ceramic | Clear Aligners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4500 | $4700 | $5500 |
| Phase 1 (Kids) | $4500 | $4700 | - |
| Visibility | Visible | Tooth-colored | Nearly invisible |
| Bracket System | GC Rhodium & Lucchesi sub-slot brackets (primary system) | GC self-ligating with rhodium doors | Removable trays |
| Complex Cases | Strongest 3D control | Strong | Limited on severe |
| Colored Bands | Yes, dozens | No | No |
| Treatment Time | 12-18 months | 12-18 months | 12-18 months (if compliant) |
| Compliance? | No, 24/7 | No, 24/7 | Yes, 20-22 hrs/day |
Metal Braces Cost in Jacksonville
Metal braces are the most affordable braces option at Bold Bite Orthodontics. Prices below are published so you know what treatment costs before your consultation, most orthodontic offices will not give you a number until you walk in. Dr. Greenberg gives you an exact fee at your free consultation.
Comprehensive
Ages 12+. 12-18 months.
Phase 1 (Kids 7+)
Early interceptive. 6-12 months.
Monthly Payment
In-House 0% APR 0% interest. $500 down.
Cherry Down
Soft credit check. Same-day start.
CareCredit Down
With approved credit.
Pay-in-Full
HSA/FSA accepted.
Community discounts: Military $300 off · Teacher $300 off · First Responder $300 off · Healthcare $300 off · Family $200 off · Student $200 off. One per patient. All discounts →
Insurance for Metal Braces
Bold Bite Orthodontics accepts all PPO dental plans, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, MetLife, United Healthcare, Humana, Ameritas, Principal, Sun Life, and more. Typical orthodontic coverage reduces out-of-pocket cost by $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the plan's lifetime orthodontic maximum.
HSA and FSA pre-tax dollars are accepted. The practice verifies insurance benefits before treatment starts, so every family knows the exact out-of-pocket cost before signing a contract. Insurance details →
Living with Metal Braces
What Foods to Avoid With Metal Braces
Bold Bite is not strict about food rules. New braces patients are advised to start with a softer diet — smoothies, pasta, eggs, soups, soft bread — for the first three to five days while the teeth settle. After that first week, patients figure out how to eat almost anything. The one consistent caution is against very hard and crunchy foods: chips, ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and whole raw carrots are the top cause of broken brackets and stalled progress in the Bold Bite chair.
The general rule: hard foods that can snap a bracket off, ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nuts, raw carrots (cut into small pieces instead), corn on the cob (cut it off the cob), and apples (slice them). Sticky foods that pull brackets loose, taffy, caramels, and gummy candy. Everything else is fine.
Pain and Discomfort
The first three to five days after placement are uncomfortable. Teeth feel sore and pressure-sensitive. Lips and cheeks take about a week to fully adjust. After that, adjustment visits cause mild soreness for a day or two.
For pain management, Dr. Greenberg recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) only. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs interfere with the biological process that moves teeth and can slow treatment progression.
What to Do When a Bracket Breaks
Every Bold Bite braces patient is enrolled in Grin Scope remote monitoring at no extra cost. When a bracket comes loose, the first step is a quick smartphone scan through the Grin Scope app — the scan is reviewed by Dr. Greenberg or Dr. Cao, and in many cases the bracket does not need an immediate office visit at all. When a repair is needed, Bold Bite schedules broken-bracket visits before the school dismissal bell because the after-school slots fill quickly. And when the patient's next routine adjustment is already scheduled within the next ten days and the loose bracket is not bothering the patient, the practice typically recommends simply waiting until that appointment and fixing it then.
Broken Bracket or Wire Poking
A broken bracket is not an emergency. If a bracket comes loose but the wire stays in place and nothing pokes you, cover it with orthodontic wax and call during office hours. A wire sticking out can be pushed down with a pencil eraser or clipped with sterilized nail clippers as a last resort. True emergencies, trauma, a bracket embedded in tissue, or severe pain, warrant an after-hours call.
Who's a Good Candidate for Metal Braces?
Metal braces are the most versatile orthodontic appliance. They can correct almost any bite problem in any age group, from Phase 1 kids with crossbites to adult patients in their 70s correcting long-standing crowding. Dr. Greenberg typically recommends metal braces first when:
- Budget is the priority, metal braces are the most affordable comprehensive option
- The case involves complex tooth rotation or vertical movement
- You want to pick band colors (kids and teens especially enjoy this)
- Your lifestyle would make aligner compliance difficult (frequent snacking, forgetfulness)
- You have extraction cases requiring controlled space closure
- You want maximum predictability, braces work 24/7 without requiring patient discipline
Metal Braces FAQ
How much do metal braces cost in Jacksonville?
Metal braces at Bold Bite Orthodontics start at $4500 comprehensive and $4500 Phase 1 (children 7+). In-House 0% APR financing from $149/month at 0% interest, no credit check. Cherry: $189 down for same-day starts. Cost calculator →
What brackets does Bold Bite Orthodontics use?
GC Rhodium Brackets. traditional bonding with color-tie elastic bands at every adjustment. Dr. Greenberg evaluated every major bracket system over two full days of clinical testing at the 2022 AAO Miami meeting before selecting this one.
The sub-slot design allows passive, friction-free movement during early leveling and tighter active control during finishing.
How long do metal braces take?
Standard comprehensive: 12-18 months. Complex: 18-24 months. Phase 1: 6-12 months. Dr. Greenberg gives you a specific timeline at your free consultation.
Can I choose the color of my metal braces?
Yes. Dozens of colors at every adjustment (every 6-8 weeks). Popular: school colors, holiday red-and-green, July 4th red-white-blue, festival purple-teal, stealth silver-gray, beach sky-blue-gold. Metal braces only, ceramic self-ligating brackets have no elastic bands.
What foods should I avoid with metal braces?
Hard foods: ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nuts. Cut raw carrots into small pieces. Cut corn off the cob. Slice apples instead of biting into whole ones. Sticky foods: avoid taffy, caramels, gummy candy. Everything else is fine, including meat, pasta, bread, cooked vegetables, and soft fruits.
What do I do if a bracket breaks?
A broken bracket is not an emergency. If the wire stays in place and nothing pokes you, cover it with orthodontic wax and call during office hours. A wire sticking out can be pushed down with a pencil eraser. True emergencies (trauma, bracket embedded in tissue, severe pain) warrant an after-hours call.
Are metal braces better than Invisalign?
Depends on your bite. Metal braces give stronger 3D control, first recommendation for complex cases (bite correction, rotation, vertical, extractions). Invisalign works for crowding, spacing, and mild-moderate issues with 20-22 hr/day compliance. Your consultation determines which fits your case. Invisalign details →
Ready to Start Metal Braces?
Free consultation includes a 3D CT scan, digital impressions, and your treatment plan with Dr. Greenberg. Same-day starts available.
Book Your Free Consultation*For new patients only. Patients in treatment $100, deductible from comprehensive treatment fee.
Or call (904) 595-6869