Maybe you hide your smile with your hand because you're embarrassed about your crooked, crowded or spaces between your teeth. Or maybe you smile without showing your teeth because of your under or overbites. Now that you are considering braces, the challenge has become which method to use. Tradition metal braces come with some cool perks while ceramic braces offer a different, more aesthetic option.
Ceramic Options
Ceramic braces give patients the "appearance" that people are not wearing braces. They are translucent or the same color as patients' teeth. The actual brackets are made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline alumina. Monocrystalline alumina are sometimes referred to as sapphire as the brackets match the color of teeth enamel. Polycrystalline alumina brackets are clear.
Ceramic Disadvantages
Be aware of the ligature or tiny rubber bands. These rubber bands can stain if patients drink black coffee, eat too much curry or smoke. Thus, the stained rubber bands ruin the clear aesthetic look. The brackets are larger than the metal ones. Treatment can last longer than traditional metal braces, and ceramic braces are more brittle than metal braces. Thus, patients will endure a longer treatment because less force will be used. Furthermore, the same thin, flexible arched metal wire is used as with metal braces. Because people can see the wire, they will still know you have braces.
Metal Options
Metal brackets are square and triangular. The latter is designed to move the root and the crown of teeth simultaneously compared with traditional squared brackets. Designer metal brackets are available. These star, flower and heart shaped brackets offer different looks. Metal braces come in two options, stainless steal and gold. You're probably more familiar with the stainless steel braces. Both are visible and the gold metal braces are highly visible. Traditional braces move teeth at a faster rate that ceramic braces.
Metal Disadvantages
Patients with metal braces complain about brackets rubbing against the inside of their mouths. Dental wax may have to be applied to relieve discomfort. Also, they can irritate your gums at the start of treatment--two or three weeks. In addition, metal braces can cause canker sores in the mouth. Metal braces are more visible.
Considerations
Ceramic braces cost approximately $500 more than metal braces, according to information from archedwire.com. Stainless steel and gold braces won't stain. In addition, metal braces are more durable than ceramic. Patients with multiple problems, such as spaces between teeth, overbites and crooked teeth may not be able to use ceramic braces.
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