Braces
Types of Braces
When you think about braces, you might think about the old-fashioned ones you saw as a kid that made patients look like they had a mouth full of metal. Thanks to some of the newest designs, you no longer need to worry about how people look at you or how they perceive you.
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.
WildSmiles Designer Braces®
Parents, kids, and orthodontists LOVE WildSmiles! Why? WildSmiles offers patients a unique way to be excited about and in control of their orthodontic experience with options from Disney® and College Collections. WildSmiles brackets are designed so that normal plaque accumulation will rest on the pad instead of on the tooth’s surface. This helps protect the enamel from plaque and tartar buildup and encourages better brushing by making sure the WildSmiles bracket shapes are always visible. Click here to learn more.
Clear (Ceramic) 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.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners, like Invisalign®, are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are 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 have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
What Are the Different Types of Appliances?
Now that you know there are different types of braces available, it helps to know the different types of appliance that may be part of your treatment. Click here to learn more.
