Different Braces: How to Choose the Right Kind for You
While the cost of braces is one of the top dental questions online, deciding between different braces is about much more than what it costs. There are many other factors that need to be considered.
How you look in your braces, how long treatment will take, and other pros and cons of different braces all influence your quality of life. Depending on what is most important to you, you can choose between different types of braces and pick your best option to have a beautiful and healthy smile.
And braces aren’t just for kids. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in four people wearing braces is an adult. Options for treatment change fast, and you want to make sure that you’re choosing the best option for you. Let’s talk about different types of braces for teeth.
What are the Different Types of Braces?
When you’re choosing the right braces for you, aesthetics are important. You want braces that look good. Other important factors for choosing the right braces include:
Comfort
How long you will need to wear them to align your teeth properly
Amount of time at the orthodontist
Investment
How many types of braces are there? Let’s review the five different braces that are available today.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most conventional, and they’re what comes to mind when most people think about braces. Most metal braces are a single bracket adhered to the front of each tooth or a metal band that wraps around the tooth. These bands or brackets are connected with an archwire that puts pressure on the teeth to move them in the right direction. Dentists usually secure the wire to the metal brackets with an elastic tie on each tooth.
The average time for orthodontic treatment is around one and a half to two years. Metal braces usually offer the quickest treatment time, and they tend to be the least expensive option. This option is most popular for children and teenagers.
But metal braces often have sharp edges. The bracket edges can get caught on the lips, mouth, or tongue, which can be painful. Most orthodontists supply wax to soften these sharp edges, which is helpful, but cleaning can also be a hassle.
Metal braces are also reflective and very noticeable against white teeth. Metal braces can remind adults of embarrassing childhood moments, so adults considering braces often look for other options.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work in much the same way that metal braces do. But instead of metal, ceramic brace brackets are made of clear or tooth-colored ceramic. Because the color of these brackets matches the color of the teeth, they are slightly less noticeable. This makes them a great option for image-focused teens and adults.
However, ceramic braces shapes are often slightly larger than metal ones, and they can sometimes develop food stains that make them a less attractive option. In addition, this form of treatment can sometimes take a bit more time than metal braces do.
Self-Ligating Braces
At a glance, self-ligating braces look like metal or ceramic braces, but instead of elastics, they connect to the wire with a door or clip that’s built into each bracket.
When compared to the other different styles of braces, self-ligating braces offer the benefit of speed. While this braces type has the same aesthetics as ceramic or metal braces, they may offer quicker and shorter appointment times because this style of bracket is easier to adjust. This makes them a great choice for anyone with a sensitive mouth. These are also a good option for orthodontic patients who have trouble sitting still for long periods of time.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a type of aligner or aligner tray. With aligners, you’ll wear a plastic tray that is fitted to your teeth for 20+ hours a day. You’ll change out this tray every two weeks, resulting in a perfect smile.
Because these trays fit the teeth exactly, they are far less noticeable than traditional kinds of braces. They also make it easier to eat and clean your teeth because you won’t have the extra hardware to work around. Invisalign may also be a less painful option.
Aligners require responsibility and time management because you will need to wear each tray for the recommended number of hours. You’ll also need to remember to switch out each tray in a timely manner, or treatment may take longer than you expect.
This option is perfect for adults who had braces when they were young and need small adjustments. It can also be a quick and effective treatment for orthodontic patients with mild dental problems like tooth gaps or misalignment. Invisalign may not be a right fit for people who have a severe underbite or dental crowding.
Lingual Braces
If you’re looking at different kinds of braces for teeth because you’re worried about how you will look with braces, lingual braces are a great option. They are almost invisible!
Lingual braces function in the same way as conventional braces, but the brackets are cemented to the back of the tooth instead of the front.
The timing for this brace type is about the same as metal, self-ligating, and ceramic braces. If you consider this option, things to think about include the additional expense of custom-made braces and the challenges of finding an orthodontist who offers this option. You may spend more time at the dentist with this option too.
Some people also experience brief changes in speech patterns or a lisp with this type of braces. There may also be some tongue discomfort, and this type of braces can be more difficult to keep clean. But this is a great option for many people, especially adults and appearance-conscious teens.
The choice to get braces is a decision you don’t have to make alone. Choose an orthodontist you trust, like the experts at Gentry Dentistry to choose which of these different braces are the best fit for your needs and have a smile makeover.