What You Should Know About Clear Braces
As an adult with crooked teeth, you don't want to walk around with noticeable metal braces. There are a few invisible braces options that make straightening your teeth less noticeable. The term clear braces often refers to ceramic braces, and if you are thinking about correcting your crooked teeth, you need to check out these facts about ceramic braces.
They Are Similar to Metal Braces
The design of ceramic braces is basically the same as metal braces. The two main features that metal braces and ceramic braces share are the brackets and archwire. The brackets are those small squares that are bonded to the front of each tooth. The archwire is the wire that runs along the teeth, connecting each bracket. The wire is the force that pushes the teeth into their new position. Bands placed on the back teeth hold the wires in place, keeping them tight. Depending on your specific misalignment issues, there are other pieces that may need to be used, such as rubber bands, springs and hooks.
Ceramic Braces Are Less Noticeable Than Traditional Braces
The big difference between metal braces and ceramic braces is that they are less noticeable. The brackets are made from ceramic that is either tooth-colored or clear, which causes them to blend with your teeth. While some ceramic braces still have the silver-colored metal wire, some people choose a wire that is frosted to appear white or tooth-colored. If you need other pieces, such as rubber bands, they can also be clear or tooth-colored to create a less obvious appearance.
Ceramic Braces Offer Excellent Results
Because ceramic braces are basically the same as metal braces, they work exceptionally well. Other invisible options, such as Invisalign aligners and lingual braces, which attach to the back of your teeth, are not great at correcting severe misalignment issues. Ceramic braces can fix just about any problem to create the best results possible.
Cost Sits Somewhere in the Middle
When you compare the costs of the four common braces options (metal, ceramic, Invisalign and lingual), the cost sits somewhere in the middle. Metal braces are the cheapest option, costing $3,500 to $7,000. On the other end of the spectrum, you have lingual braces, which cost about $6,000 to $13,000. Invisalign and ceramic braces both sit in the middle, averaging between $3,500 and $8,000.
The Brackets Require Care
While modern ceramic dental brackets are made to be resistant to stains, they aren't impenetrable to discoloration. If they do become stained, they can become more noticeable or even make your teeth look dirty. For this reason, you must take extra care to keep them clean, and you may even want to avoid certain stain-causing food and beverages. Another concern with ceramic brackets is that they are less durable than metal ones and more prone to breakage. To help make the brackets stronger, they are usually larger then metal brackets.
Treatment Time May Take Longer Than Metal Braces
If you choose ceramic braces over metal braces, the treatment time may take longer. Even though they work the same as metal braces, the weaker ceramic braces require a softer touch. Your dentist may decide to tighten your braces with less force than with metal braces to prevent breakage, which increases the treatment time.
You don't have to suffer with crooked teeth, and you don't have to walk around with a mouth full of metal. Clear ceramic braces are an excellent option to discretely fix your crooked teeth. If you are ready to get the smile you've always wanted, contact an orthodontist in your area today or visit a site like http://www.dentistryoffayetteville.com to learn more about ceramic braces or other invisible braces options.
Share