From traditional metal braces to invisible aligners, it’s no secret that you’ve got quite a few options when it comes to choosing your orthodontic treatment. One of the main concerns of patients is how braces may affect their appearance, but with improved treatment methods, this doesn’t have to be the case. Ceramic braces are a top choice for those who want their treatment to be discreet. Here’s why ceramic braces may be the right treatment for you.
What are Ceramic Braces?
Very similar to traditional metal braces, ceramic braces have a clear appearance. The brackets are clear or colored to match the teeth, and the wires can be frosted to blend in as well. Ceramic braces work the same as metal braces. In adjusting the wire to apply pressure, the teeth are guided gradually into their proper positions within the mouth. Ceramic braces can fix a variety of common orthodontic issues, including overbites, underbites, alignment issues and spacing problems, and come with a multitude of benefits.
Why Ceramic Braces?
The obvious benefit of ceramic braces is that they’re less noticeable, which is a big factor in many patients’ decision to opt for this type of treatment. Ceramic braces are perfect for adults or older teenagers who are concerned braces will affect their appearance and are responsible enough to take care of this type of braces. This type of treatment is durable and easy to remove once treatment has finished, and they can appear virtually invisible from far away and in photos.
What to know about Ceramic Braces
It’s apparent that ceramic braces come with many benefits, but there are aspects to keep in mind if you opt for this type of orthodontic treatment. First and foremost, oral hygiene. Proper oral hygiene is a must for everyone, whether they have braces or not, but especially for those who have ceramic braces. By brushing and flossing regularly, especially after meals, you’ll be able to maintain a pristine appearance with your ceramic braces. All in all, if you maintain your oral hygiene and listen to your orthodontist, you’ll have no trouble with this type of treatment plan.
Ceramic Braces vs Metal Braces
While ceramic braces blend more seamlessly into a smile than traditional metal braces, it’s important to take note of some major differences. Ceramic braces tend to stain easier. So while both forms of braces will have you avoiding certain foods, with ceramic braces you must also take special care to avoid certain foods that stain the ceramic part of the braces. These foods include:
- Dark sodas
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Tomato sauce
These foods are the main culprits when it comes to staining ceramic braces.
Another aspect to note is ceramic braces can be a bit more delicate, so taking care not to eat hard candies or tough meats can avoid damaging the brackets. If you need to correct orthodontic issues on both upper and lower teeth, ceramic braces on lower teeth run the risk of eroding enamel more than metal braces. Having ceramic on the more noticeable top teeth and metal braces on the bottom teeth can fix this issue.
Ceramic braces are an excellent alternative for people who have a nickel allergy. Most metal alloys used in the orthodontic field contain some sort of nickel, making it impossible for some people to get metal braces. People who unknowingly have this allergy can experience contact dermatitis on their mouth and lips which can be extremely uncomfortable. Ceramic braces provide a simple fix to this issue, making it possible for anyone to get a healthier smile.
For those who have to get regular MRI treatments throughout the year, metal braces pose a problem as they can interfere with this type of medical imaging. Ceramic braces are MRI-safe, though any larger metal parts will have to be detached before a scan.
In addition to the cosmetic benefit of ceramic or clear braces, they also are reported to be more comfortable than their metal counterpart. The ceramic brackets can be less rough on your tongue, lips, or the insides of your cheeks.
Ceramic Braces Colors
While silver and gold are colors that never go out of style, some patients prefer to liven up their smiles with dazzling colors. While ceramic braces come in shades of white to naturally blend in with teeth or clear to be invisible, they can be made more colorful with different colored ligatures (the small rubber bands that attach the wire to the brackets).
Clear Braces Cost
Typically, ceramic braces cost a little more than metal braces. However, ceramic braces tend to be less expensive compared to similar Invisalign treatments. It’s important to keep in mind that all orthodontic treatment costs vary depending on the specific orthodontic issues that need to be addressed.
What Is Better, Clear Braces or Invisalign?
While both clear braces and Invisalign are great options for subtle treatment, there are still a few minor differences to keep in mind. Since ceramic braces are permanently fixed to the teeth, patients don’t need to monitor how often they are wearing them like they would if they had Invisalign. Clear or ceramic braces are also used in more complicated orthodontic cases that Invisalign may not be able to treat. While clear braces are harder to notice in pictures or on zoom calls, Invisalign tends to be more of a seamless fit for adults worried about the appearance of orthodontic treatment.
While it can be a bit of a hassle to remember to put your aligners back in, with Invisalign, the ability to remove them to eat, drink, and brush teeth can make these everyday tasks easier than having to adjust to them with braces.
