Your Southern Ontario Invisalign® Provider
Clear ceramic braces are a common alternative to traditional metal braces. However, before you decide to go with ceramic braces you should consider these important factors. Our Village Orthodontics team explains the pros and cons of clear, ceramic braces for teens.
What’s the difference between ceramic braces, metal braces, and clear aligners?
Braces may be recommended by an orthodontist to help realign and straighten your teeth. Transparent braces may be preferred by teenagers over traditional metal braces because they are less visible.
The traditional metal braces, which are made of metal brackets, are somewhat more visible whether you grin, laugh, or speak out loud. Ceramic braces, which include brackets composed of ceramic or porcelain, or in some circumstances plastic, are less apparent than metal braces because they blend in with the colour of your natural teeth, which should make them less noticeable.
A form of ceramic braces, clear braces are used to move the teeth into their new positions by using brackets and wires to shift the teeth. Clear ceramic braces are distinct from Invisalign clear aligners, which are transparent, removable, and custom-made orthodontic devices that are similar in appearance to clear ceramic braces.
Important factors to consider with clear ceramic or metal braces
Before getting clear ceramic or metal braces, you should consider things like durability, sensitivity, cost, diet, and oral care.
Durability
Metal braces are well-known for their long-term durability. Ceramic braces are strong and long-lasting, but they can chip or break if you engage in sports or activities that are harmful to your jaw or mouth or are more likely to cause injury. These repairs could also be quite costly.
Sensitivity
Patients may experience mild irritation of their inside lips as a result of the ceramic substance because ceramic brackets are larger than standard metal brackets. Although the difference should be insignificant, it is worth noting if you have a sensitive oral cavity.
Cost
Traditional metal braces are usually the most cost-effective option for orthodontic treatment because they are the most effective. Ceramic braces are typically more expensive than traditional braces, and some insurance policies may not cover the additional cost, so it is best to check with your insurance provider before proceeding.
Diet
Patients with metal braces or clear ceramic braces should avoid eating foods that could cause the metal to shift out of place and damage the wires or brackets. Candy, caramel, apples, and popcorn are examples of such foods, but they are not the only ones.
Additionally, some foods and beverages (such as coffee, tea, cola, and tomato sauce) can stain and discolour the transparent ceramic brackets in the clear ceramic braces.
Oral Care
Food and plaque can quickly become entangled in the wires and brackets of traditional metal or clear ceramic braces, rendering them unusable. As a result, to keep your mouth clean, it is critical to practice good oral hygiene habits regularly and to floss after meals.