Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type, more comfortable today than ever, and most cost-effective orthodontic treatment available. Today’s metal braces are much smaller, flatter, and more comfortable than those in the past. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile. Patients of all ages choose metal braces to help them achieve straight, beautiful smiles.
What Braces are Made Of
Traditional metal braces are made of high-quality stainless steel or titanium. The three main parts of your braces are:
Brackets
Brackets are attached to the teeth using a special glue that bonds them to the tooth surface and holds them in place.
Archwire
The archwire is the thin metal wire that connects each bracket and puts pressure on the teeth to help guide them into place.
Ligature Elastic (aka the “rubber bands”)
Elastics, or rubber bands, are the colored ties that hold the archwires to the brackets. Dr. Roeder will change the elastics at each appointment. Elastics may come in a variety of colors.
How Braces Work
Once placed on your teeth, braces place constant pressure on your teeth, and the force of the pressure helps move them into proper position. At each appointment, Dr. Roeder may tighten the archwires.
In addition to braces, some patients may need to wear rubber bands or headgear. Patients who wear braces may notice their teeth feeling a little loose. This is normal and temporary; once the teeth are done moving, this feeling will go away.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are the same as traditional metal braces except they are clear! They are a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces yet provide patients with an equally effective treatment.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to clear braces?
As with any orthodontic treatment, it is important to choose the right option for your needs and lifestyle. Clear braces are a great alternative to traditional metal braces, and Dr. Roeder will help you determine whether they are the right treatment for you.
Advantages to clear braces:
Appearance
Ceramic braces and clear braces are much less visible than traditional metal braces. Clear and ceramic braces offer an aesthetic alternative for patients who seek options other than traditional metal braces.
Confidence
Many patients who choose ceramic or clear braces feel more confident about their orthodontic treatment, especially knowing that people are focusing on their smile rather than their braces.
Disadvantages to clear braces:
Cost
Ceramic and clear braces may cost more than traditional metal braces. We offer convenient payment plans to help control the costs of your treatment. Be sure to talk to our office about all your financial options.
Discoloration
The clear elastic ties used with clear and ceramic braces may become slightly discolored when you drink tea, coffee, or wine, and eat certain foods or smoke. Ask Dr. Roeder about how you can keep your braces looking their best.
Treatment Time
Orthodontic treatment with clear or ceramic braces may take longer than with traditional metal braces. If you don’t mind investing a little more time in your smile, then talk to Dr. Roeder to find out how long your treatment time will be with clear or ceramic braces.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, but they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment; plus, brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and contain no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
What is the difference between clear braces and clear aligners?
Clear braces are the same as traditional metal braces except they are clear! They are a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces yet provide patients with an equally effective treatment.
Clear aligners are different from clear braces. They are pieces of hard plastic that are designed to fit into your mouth like a mouthguard and are great for patients who require minor orthodontic treatment.
Clarity Clear Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, they are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns.
While they are visually less prominent, they require more attention to oral hygiene because ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
The Beauty of Clarity Brackets is Clear!
- With a comfortable design and an attractive, translucent appearance, your Clarity ceramic brackets will leave you smiling!
- Made of innovative new, ceramic material for an attractive appearance, Clarity brackets are also extremely durable and fracture resistant.
- Because Clarity brackets blend in with your natural tooth color, you won't be reluctant to show off your smile.
- With a small, smooth design, Clarity brackets are comfortable to wear and easy to clean.
- The ceramic material used for Clarity resists staining, so you can eat and drink all your favorite foods and beverages without worrying about discoloration.
- Clarity brackets are trusted and used by orthodontists worldwide and have helped more than one million patients get beautiful smiles.
Are clear or ceramic braces the right choice for my smile and me?
By talking to us, you can decide whether clear or ceramic braces are the right treatment for you. Dr. Roeder can provide answers to your questions and extra information explaining the benefits of each treatment.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, which means fewer appointments and less friction on the tooth.
Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces but use a specialized clip in place of elastics to help the archwire guide teeth into place.
The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure placed on the tooth and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastics to replace.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore “invisible” when you smile. They are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth; the metal appliances are created uniquely for you.
Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors/actresses, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.
Which is the right treatment for me?
If you would like to learn more about all the options available to you, we can help you determine which treatment is best for your individual case.
Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment and learn more about how braces can enhance your smile.please contact our practice and schedule an appointment today.