Types of Braces
There are several types of braces that can be used to help move teeth into their desired positions. Below are the various types of braces to that we utilize to produce the results that we want.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most commonly used type of braces. Metal braces are made from high quality stainless steel. Brackets are placed on every tooth and then arch wire is used to thread through each of the brackets. The best thing about metal braces is the comfort they provide for the patients. Patients have the option of choosing different colored bands for their braces instead of having to stick to the usual o-shaped bands.
Gold Braces
Gold braces are similar to metal braces in structure and how they are used. The material used for making the wires and brackets is stainless steel that has been layered with gold. Gold braces carry more visual appeal than the normal metal braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are not as evident and ostentatious as metal or gold braces. They are tooth colored which makes them much less obvious. The braces assimilate with the teeth so they are not visible when viewed from a distance. With ceramic braces, the orthodontic treatment of the patient will last longer. Also, the brackets used are larger in size than the metal braces, though the difference is not significant.
Invisible Braces
Invisible braces are removable aligners. They are plastic trays, which are transparent and can be removed easily. The patient can take the aligners out while having a meal or brushing their teeth. They are almost imperceptible which is why they are called ‘invisible.’ However, they tend to take longer than fixed braces since a constant force is not applied to the teeth.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth, which is what we refer to as the “lingual” side. The placement of the braces behind the teeth makes them difficult to see for people.