Lots of people turn to orthodontic treatment as a means of achieving the confident smile they dream of. Teeth that are properly aligned help promote a healthy smile for a lifetime.
It’s important to note that orthodontic treatment is about more than just appearances. It also is a means of correcting bite issues that can have adverse effects to the way you talk or chew your food and can lead to other oral health problems.
Traditional metal? Ceramic braces? Invisalign? These days, there are many choices available to adults, and it gets confusing! Which type of braces should you choose? Can you choose, or is it strictly up to your dentist? These questions come up time and again.
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.
Metal braces are the most widely used system of straightening teeth. Small metal brackets are bonded to the tooth with a wire passing through them. The wire is usually held tightly to the brackets with small elastic o-shaped rubber bands. The rubber bands can be metal coloured (the most discreet) or colourful, depending on what you like. Metal brackets are very strong and can withstand most types of treatment. They tend to be the most inexpensive treatment option and can treat the most severe cases.
Ceramic braces are made of translucent (Clear) glass material. They are popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal.
Ceramic braces utilise less noticeable brackets for patients concerned about aesthetic appearances. Ceramic brackets are translucent, so they blend in with your natural tooth colour. This means that unlike traditional stainless steel braces, with ceramic braces your smile will not look ‘metallic’. In addition, ceramic brackets are designed so that they won’t stain or discolour over time. The arch wires used in conjunction with the ceramic braces are unfortunately not translucent, but they do blend in well with the ceramic brackets and are not as noticeable.
Invisalign treatment is great for people who do not have severe problems. The “braces” consist of strong plastic trays that are fabricated especially for you. They are indeed invisible. If your bite is not severely out and your teeth are not severely crooked, then Invisalign would be a good choice. You would be able to get your teeth straightened without anyone seeing that you are wearing “braces”! This appeals to many adults, especially people who wore traditional braces as children and then need more treatment later in life due to the teeth relapsing. However, if your bite is very bad, if you need extractions or require headgear or other appliances, then Invisalign will not work for you. You will need to wear traditional braces.