Kahului & Pukalani Metal Braces
Metal braces are still the most popular choice for orthodontic care at Maui Orthodontics by Bonham and Bonham. Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia Bonham are experts at using Damon self-ligating braces from our Pukalani or Kahului offices to give you or your kids a happy, healthy smile.
Braces, Better than Ever
Metal braces use strong, time-tested brackets and wires to guide your teeth into healthier alignment with steady, precise control.
At Maui Orthodontics, Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia Bonham use self-ligating Damon braces for the strength and precision of traditional braces in a more streamlined design.
Damon Self-Ligating Braces
Instead of using elastic ties to hold the wire in place, Damon braces use built-in clips. That design helps reduce friction, keeps the system cleaner and simpler, and allows your braces to guide tooth movement with efficient, controlled force.
For you, that means treatment that feels more modern from the start. You still get the reliability braces are known for, but with a smoother, lower-profile system that supports comfort, efficiency, and lasting results.
The Damon Difference
Ties vs. Doors: Traditional braces use visible, colorful elastic bands to secure the wire. Advanced Damon braces have a built-in "door" or clip that opens and closes around the wire, eliminating the need for elastics that stain and slow tooth movement.
Discomfort: Advanced Damon braces use lighter, continuous forces and shape-memory wires, which generally cause less pain and pressure. Traditional braces require tighter and more frequent adjustments that can lead to more soreness.
Hygiene: Without elastic ties, Advanced Damon braces are generally easier to keep clean because there are fewer nooks to trap food and plaque.
Appointments: Advanced Damon braces utilize slide mechanisms that allow for more natural and efficient tooth movement, meaning you may require fewer office visits and shorter treatment times compared to traditional braces.
Adding Color: You can still have color at certain times during treatment when we use elastic-linked ties to close spaces in a way that does not slow down your treatment.
Modern Braces, Modern Benefits
Metal braces have come a long way. At Maui Orthodontics, Dr. Aurelia and Dr. Paul Bonham offer a modern, self-ligating braces experience that delivers the strength braces are known for with a smoother, more comfortable feel for your everyday life.
Less Friction, More Comfort
Traditional braces use elastic ties to hold the wire in place, but those ties add friction as teeth move. Damon braces use built-in clips instead, creating a cleaner system that allows your teeth to move more freely.
That means you get a more comfortable experience throughout treatment. You still feel the pressure that comes with tooth movement, but the system operates more smoothly and efficiently.
A More Efficient Way To Move Teeth
Because Damon braces reduce friction between the wire and brackets, they can guide tooth movement more efficiently. That gives Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia precise control while helping your treatment progress more smoothly.
Every smile moves at its own pace, but this modern design supports the kind of steady movement that can make your treatment feel more efficient overall.
Easier On Your Schedule
Damon braces simplify the adjustment process because the brackets open and close without needing elastic ties replaced at every visit. You’ll experience quicker, more straightforward appointments.
You’ll still come in for regular check-ins, but the system helps reduce some of the extra maintenance required by traditional braces. For busy families, that added efficiency matters.
Simpler To Keep Clean
Without elastic ties around every bracket, Damon braces offer a cleaner, lower-profile setup. That can make brushing and flossing around your braces feel more manageable during treatment.
Better access makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, which helps protect your teeth and gums as your smile progresses.
Ready For Simple & Complex Cases
Damon braces are great for issues like crowding and spacing, to more involved bite problems. They give Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia the control they need to create healthy, balanced results across many types of cases.
That versatility makes them a strong option for children, teens, and adults who want the proven effectiveness of braces with a more advanced design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Braces
Starting braces comes with plenty of questions, and that’s totally normal. Here are some of the questions our patients ask most often about metal braces and life with treatment at Maui Orthodontics by Bonham and Bonham.
Getting your braces placed won’t hurt, and the appointment usually takes about an hour. Our team will clean and prepare your teeth, then Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia will place each bracket and secure your braces.
Once everything is in place, you may feel some tightness as your teeth begin to adjust. That pressure is temporary and usually fades after the first few days.
Treatment time depends on your smile, your bite, and the amount of movement your teeth need. Many patients wear braces for about 12 to 24 months, but you may wear them for more or less time, depending on your unique treatment plan.
Dr. Aurelia or Dr. Paul Bonham will examine your teeth and give you a clearer idea of your timeline during your free consultation.
You may feel some soreness after your braces go on and after certain adjustment appointments, but braces shouldn’t cause ongoing pain. Most patients describe it as pressure or tenderness rather than sharp discomfort.
That soreness usually improves within a few days. Soft foods, saltwater rinses, and over-the-counter pain relief can help while your mouth adjusts.
Most patients come in for progress visits every several weeks so we can monitor tooth movement and make any needed adjustments. Your exact schedule will depend on your treatment plan.
Because Maui Orthodontics uses self-ligating Damon braces, your visits may feel more streamlined than they would with traditional braces that require elastic ties at each adjustment.
Self-ligating braces use built-in clips to hold the archwire in place instead of elastic ties. At Maui Orthodontics, Dr. Paul and Dr. Aurelia Bonham use Damon braces, a self-ligating system.
That design helps reduce friction as teeth move and creates a cleaner, more streamlined setup. That means you get a more efficient and comfortable experience with braces than ever before.
Brushing and flossing well matter even more when you have braces. Food and plaque can collect around brackets and wires, so you need to clean carefully and consistently throughout treatment.
Brush after meals when you can, floss daily, and follow any hygiene recommendations our team gives you. We may also suggest tools like interdental brushes, floss threaders, or a Waterpik to make cleaning easier.
Absolutely! You can still play sports and musical instruments while wearing braces. If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth, lips, and braces.
If you play an instrument, your mouth may need a little time to adjust, but most patients adapt quickly and get back into their routine.
Definitely. Regular dental visits remain important during orthodontic treatment. Your dentist helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and can spot problems that braces alone do not address.
Cleanings matter especially because braces create more places for plaque to build up. Staying on top of dental visits helps protect your smile while we straighten it.
Metal braces work well for many children, teens, and adults. They can correct crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, and many bite issues, including more complex concerns that need precise control.
At Maui Orthodontics, Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia Bonham will look at your smile, your bite, and your goals before recommending the treatment that fits you best.
The cost of braces depends on the complexity of your case and how long treatment will take. Because every smile is different, the best way to get accurate pricing is to come in for a consultation.
Our team will walk you through your treatment options, explain what is included, and discuss financing if needed so you can make a confident decision.
Start Smiling Today
Patients of all ages deserve to smile their best, and your best smile starts with a free consultation with Dr. Paul or Dr. Aurelia Bonham at Maui Orthodontics. Come visit us in Kahului or Pukalani to unlock a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles today!