Who Treats You
Dr. Rodrigo F. Viecilli, DDS, PhD
The Brackets Used at Limestone Hills in Austin
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. Viecilli selected GC Orthodontics Rhodium-coated (Japanese) for Limestone Hills Orthodontics deliberately.
Why the Practice Chose GC Rhodium metal brackets
Dr. Viecilli chose GC Orthodontics rhodium-coated brackets for the metal system because the rhodium finish has a white-gold tone that blends with teeth, giving patients a cleaner and more refined look than standard stainless steel. The same supplier produces the self-ligating ceramic brackets used at Limestone Hills, with a built-in metal gate that holds the wire without elastic ties so the ceramic stays tooth-colored from bonding day to removal day. Both bracket families are precision-machined in Japan to a tighter manufacturing tolerance than commodity bracket lines, which translates to less slop in the slot, more predictable wire engagement, and finer finishing control as the case closes.
GC Rhodium Metal Brackets
Generic Stainless Steel Brackets
How Metal Braces Work in Austin
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.
Standard offices use a single nickel-titanium wire that applies the same force to every tooth. A small front tooth with a thin periodontal ligament gets the same pressure as a large molar with a root two to three times bigger. That uneven loading can cause discomfort and slow progress.
SmartArch wire varies stiffness along its length, matching force output to each tooth’s root size. Clinical studies have demonstrated up to 50% greater tooth movement and up to 40% faster treatment compared to conventional wire.
Are Self-Ligating Metal Brackets Better?
Limestone Hills uses self-ligating brackets only on the ceramic system. The clear ceramic brackets have a built-in metal gate that holds the wire without elastic ties, which keeps the brackets transparent from bonding day to removal day. The metal brackets still use traditional elastic ties because metal-braces patients, especially teens, ask for the colored bands at every adjustment. Self-ligating gates are not magically faster than elastic ties. Treatment time depends far more on case complexity, root anatomy, and wire selection than on bracket-ligation type.
Free Consultation
Braces Placement
Adjustments
Removal + Retainers
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?
Yes, colored elastic bands are available at every adjustment for metal-braces patients. Popular combinations include Longhorns burnt orange and white, Spurs silver and black, school colors for whichever team your child plays for, July 4th red-white-and-blue, and seasonal themes (orange and black for Halloween, red and green for the December holidays). Self-ligating ceramic brackets have no colored bands. The brackets themselves are tooth-colored and use a built-in metal gate instead of elastic ties.
Color Options
Popular Combinations in Austin
Metal Braces vs Clear Braces vs Invisalign
Dr. Viecilli 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 Best for Complex | Clear Ceramic | Invisalign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4,000 | $4,600 | $4,700 |
| Phase 1 (Kids) | $2,000 | $2,600 | – |
| Visibility | Visible | Tooth-colored | Nearly invisible |
| Bracket System | GC Orthodontics Rhodium-coated (Japanese) | GC Orthodontics Self-Ligating Ceramic (Japanese monocrystalline) | 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 Austin
Metal braces are the most affordable braces option at Limestone Hills 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. Viecilli gives you an exact fee at your free consultation.
Comprehensive
SmartArch™ included.
Phase 1 (Kids 7+)
Monthly Payment
No credit check. $600 down.
Community discounts: Military $500 off · Teacher $300 off · First Responder $300 off · Healthcare $300 off · Family $300 off · Student $250 off. One per patient.
Insurance for Metal Braces
Limestone Hills 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.
Living with Metal Braces
What Foods to Avoid With Metal Braces
Dr. Viecilli keeps the food list simple. Hard foods can snap a bracket off the tooth: ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, nuts, raw carrots (cut into small pieces instead), and corn on the cob (cut it off the cob). Sticky foods can pull a bracket loose as you chew: taffy, caramels, gummy candy. Everything else is fine. Meat, pasta, bread, cooked vegetables, soft fruits, even pizza and burgers, are not a problem with normal cutting and chewing. Food restrictions are a minor lifestyle adjustment, not a major sacrifice.
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. SmartArch wire helps because it matches the force to each tooth’s root size. No single tooth absorbs too much pressure.
For pain management, Dr. Viecilli 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
A broken bracket is rarely a true emergency. If a bracket pops off but the wire is still in place, and nothing is poking, the patient can cover the loose bracket with orthodontic wax and call Limestone Hills during the next business day to schedule a 15-to-20-minute repair visit. If the wire is poking, push it flat with the eraser end of a pencil or cover the end with wax. True emergencies (facial trauma, bracket embedded in tissue, severe uncontrolled pain) warrant an after-hours call to the practice line; emergency hours run Mon-Sat 7:30 am to 10:30 pm by appointment. Current patients have all repair visits included in the original treatment fee.
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. Viecilli typically recommends metal braces first when:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do metal braces cost?
Cost calculator →
What brackets does Limestone Hills Orthodontics use?
The sub-slot design allows passive, friction-free movement during early leveling and tighter active control during finishing. Paired with SmartArch™ wire for variable, tooth-specific force calibration.
How long do metal braces take?
Can I choose the color of my metal braces?
What foods should I avoid with metal braces?
What do I do if a bracket breaks?
Are metal braces better than Invisalign?
Invisalign details →