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Important Facts About the Different Types of Braces

Are you ready to get a beautiful, straight smile? Braces have come a long way over the years, and your orthodontist Florence AZ may offer a few different options. Here are some facts about each type to help you decide which one works best for you. 

Plastic Alignment Retainers

If your teeth only need a few minor adjustments, this type of braces may be appealing. There are no brackets adhered to your teeth or wires that need replacing. Instead, clear plastic retainers are custom designed to fit your teeth. Every few weeks, you get a new retainer with a few minor adjustments that force the teeth into this new position. You wear these retainers at all times except to eat or drink, and they are virtually unnoticeable. These braces don’t work as quickly as other options, and the cost is substantially higher, but for many, the comfort and discrete design are worth it. 

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Classic Metal Braces

When people think of braces, the image of a mouth full of metal comes to mind. Fortunately, practices have changed, and there is a lot less stainless steel in your mouth if you choose this type. This style of braces is popular because they are very effective for all kinds of dental corrections, and they are the most affordable. When you have this type put on, small metal brackets are first glued to your teeth. A thin metal wire is then attached using a series of rubber bands. To make adjustments to your teeth, your orthodontist switches out the metal wire every few weeks. These braces are much more noticeable than the clear retainers, but you can have fun with them by using a wide array of colorful rubber bands to give you a unique look. Since these brackets are glued to your teeth, you must make dental hygiene a priority. Cleaning around each bracket and flossing takes extra time each day, but keeping teeth free from cavities and stains makes them look much better when the braces are removed. 

Enamel Colored Braces

A third option to consider is ceramic braces. These are similar in design to the metal braces because they use brackets glued to your teeth and wires to make adjustments. However, the brackets themselves are similar in color to your teeth, so they are much less noticeable than metal brackets. This option is slightly higher in cost than metal braces, but many people feel the softer look is worth the price difference. As with traditional braces, you must put extra time and effort into caring for your teeth because stains become more noticeable with these types of brackets. 

Lingual Braces

A final option for braces is slightly different than the last two because of how they are worn. These braces are adhered to the inside of your teeth and are not noticeable when you smile. This is a unique option that not many orthodontists offer because it takes advanced training to learn how to do this correctly. These braces are for people who need more substantial work done to their teeth than those wearing retainers and want the clean look of no brackets. This option may be less comfortable than the other two as your tongue rubs against them as you eat or talk. They are also much more challenging to clean as it’s nearly impossible to see into your mouth at an angle that ensures you have cleaned the brackets effectively.

When it’s time for you to get braces, talk to your orthodontist about which options work for you. Know that each type of braces takes some time for change to occur and requires a commitment to keep your teeth clean. 

Featured Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash