If you've recently looked in the mirror and noticed a tiny metal coil wrapped around your wire, you're probably wondering what do springs on braces do and why they need to be there in the first place. It's a fair question. Getting braces is already a bit of an adjustment, and when your orthodontist starts adding extra gadgets like springs, hooks, or rubber bands, it can feel like your mouth is slowly becoming a construction site.
The short answer is that those little springs are essentially the "heavy lifters" of your orthodontic treatment. While the brackets and wires do a lot of the alignment work, springs provide a specific type of targeted pressure that wires alone sometimes can't manage. They're there to move teeth faster, create space where things are too crowded, or pull teeth together to close up gaps that just won't budge.
The mechanics of the coil
To really get why your orthodontist put them there, you have to think about how braces work in general. It's all about consistent, gentle pressure. Your teeth aren't actually stuck permanently in your jawbone; they're held in place by a periodontal ligament. When you apply steady pressure to a tooth, the bone on one side breaks down slightly, and new bone builds up on the other side. This is how teeth "move."
Usually, the archwire (that main wire running through your brackets) provides this pressure. But sometimes, a tooth needs a little extra "oomph" or needs to move in a direction that the wire can't easily facilitate. That's where the springs come in. They are made of specialized metals—often nickel-titanium—that have "shape memory." This means they want to return to their original shape, and they'll exert a constant force until they get there.
Opening up the crowd: Open coil springs
If your teeth are really crowded, your orthodontist might use what's called an open coil spring. You'll recognize these because they look like a tiny, compressed slinky pushed between two brackets.
So, in this specific scenario, what do springs on braces do? They act like a spacer. The orthodontist squeezes the spring onto the wire between two teeth. Because the spring wants to expand back to its natural, uncompressed length, it pushes the two brackets apart.
This is super helpful when there isn't enough room for a crooked tooth to move into the correct line. By pushing the neighboring teeth away, the spring creates a "parking spot" for the tooth that's out of place. It's a lot more efficient than just waiting for the wire to do the work on its own.
Closing the gaps: Closed coil springs
On the flip side, you might have the opposite problem: a gap that refuses to close. Maybe you had a tooth extracted, or maybe you just naturally have some extra space. This is where closed coil springs (sometimes called tension springs) come into play.
Unlike the open version, these springs are designed to pull things together. They usually have a little loop on each end that hooks onto the brackets or the wire. The spring is stretched out when it's installed, and because it wants to pull back into its tight, coiled shape, it drags the teeth toward each other.
It's a bit like using a tiny, metal bungee cord. If you've ever used power chains (those connected rubber rings), closed coil springs do a similar job but often with more consistent force over a longer period because metal doesn't lose its "stretch" as fast as elastic does.
Fixing your bite with Forsus springs
Then there are the "big" springs. If you've seen someone with what looks like a metal rod or a large, thick spring connecting their upper and lower jaws, they're likely wearing Forsus springs. These are a bit more intense than the little coils on the wire.
When people ask what do springs on braces do in the context of these larger appliances, the answer is bite correction. These springs are used to fix overbites or underbites. They apply constant pressure to move the upper teeth back and the lower teeth forward (or vice versa).
Before these were common, people had to wear bulky headgear or be extremely disciplined with rubber bands. Forsus springs are "fixed," meaning they stay in your mouth 24/7. While they take some getting used to when you're eating or talking, they work incredibly fast because you can't forget to wear them!
Do they hurt more than regular braces?
Let's be real for a second: any time you add pressure to your teeth, you're going to feel it. When a new spring is first put in, you'll probably feel some soreness for a few days. It's that familiar "tight" feeling you get after an adjustment.
However, most people find that the initial ache fades pretty quickly. The real challenge with springs isn't usually the pressure—it's the way they feel against the inside of your cheeks. Because they have a bit of texture, they can occasionally rub or poke.
If you've got a spring that's irritating your mouth, orthodontic wax is your absolute best friend. Just roll up a little ball of wax and smoosh it over the spring to create a smooth surface. Your cheeks will eventually toughen up (orthodontists call this "callousing"), but in the meantime, don't be a hero—use the wax.
Keeping things clean
One thing nobody tells you about springs is that they are absolute magnets for food. If you eat something like bread, leafy greens, or—heaven forbid—something sticky, it's going to get tangled in the coils of the spring.
When you have springs, you have to level up your brushing game. A regular toothbrush might not get deep into the coils. Many people find that interdental brushes (those tiny "tree" brushes) are perfect for poking into the spring and clearing out any trapped debris. It's a bit of a pain, but leaving food in there can lead to plaque buildup and eventually "white spots" on your teeth, which you definitely don't want when the braces finally come off.
What if a spring breaks or comes loose?
It doesn't happen often, but occasionally a spring might break or pop off its hook. If it's an open coil spring (the ones on the wire), it's usually pretty secure and won't go anywhere. But if a closed coil spring or a Forsus spring unhooks, it can be a bit annoying.
If a spring breaks, don't panic. It's not an "ER-level" emergency, but you should call your orthodontist as soon as you can. Since the spring is providing constant force to move your teeth, having it broken means your treatment is basically on pause for that specific area. The sooner they can get you back in the chair to fix it, the sooner you'll be on your way to that perfect smile.
The bottom line
It's easy to get frustrated with all the metal in your mouth, but remember that every piece has a purpose. When you understand what do springs on braces do, it makes the discomfort a little easier to swallow. They are there to speed up the process and handle the tricky movements that wires can't do alone.
Whether they are opening up space for a crowded tooth or shifting your entire jaw alignment, springs are a sign that your treatment is moving right along. They might be a bit of a hassle to clean and a little weird to look at, but they're working behind the scenes to make sure you get the best result possible. Just keep up with your brushing, use your wax, and before you know it, the springs—and the braces—will be a thing of the past.