Types of Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. 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.
Ceramic Clear Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
Other Clear Orthodontic Appliances- (example Invisalign®)
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen® examples of a series of clear aligners (almost retainers) that are removable and often more appealing to some of our patients. The reasons being that brushing and flossing are much easier than braces and there really is not any cheek or lip irritation as well.
**We can even combine these different orthodontic appliances such as Invisalign or clear braces on your upper teeth with Invisalign, clear or metal braces on the lower teeth**