Clear braces were originally made from crystal sapphire. A ceramic clear bracket was developed shortly after, and this is the form that clear braces still appear in today.
The goal of the clear brace is to create an aesthetic that mirrors that of a retainer instead of a mouth full of metal brackets, as with traditional braces. Although they are called "clear," there is still metal involved---the metal wire that works to shift the teeth into their correct position can still be seen running across the teeth.
History of
The first braces were actually used in the early 1900s. Back then, braces were made of silver or gold. Instead of the bracket-style brace we see today, the braces actually wrapped around the entire tooth, creating a mouthful of silver or gold for the wearer.
The first bracket-style braces were worn in the 1950s and 1960s. This is also the time when stainless steel started to be used for the brackets in place of gold or silver, which were much more expensive and not as strong. The first clear brackets arrived on scene in the early 1980s.
Features
Clear ceramic braces are made from a stain-resistant ceramic, which reduces the risk of staining the ceramic while eating a meal. However, if the metal wire is attached to the teeth with clear rubber bands, the rubber bands stain more readily than the ceramic. This can leave the wearer with small stained circles around the clear brackets after a meal with tomato sauce.
Time Frame
The length of time it takes for complete orthodontic correction varies from case to case. Teeth tend to move easier and more quickly in an adolescent than they do once the patient reaches adulthood. In general, most treatments range from 18 months to 2 1/2 years. As the patient wears the braces, he will often find that each subsequent adjustment is less painful than the previous. This makes the braces easier to wear as time goes on.
Benefits
The benefit of wearing clear braces is mainly aesthetic. It allows the patient to look like she is simply wearing a retainer instead of metal bracket braces. The benefit is simply to make the patient feel more comfortable with wearing braces. Clear braces do not move teeth faster or better than their metal predecessors.
Misconceptions
Clear braces technically only refers to ceramic bracket braces. What some people refer to as "clear braces" are actually a newer method called Invisalign, which involves clear plastic trays that fit snugly over the teeth. These trays are changed out every two weeks for a new tray that shifts the teeth closer to their desired alignment.
The benefit of Invisalign is that no metal is involved, making the experience much more comfortable for the patient. Also, the plastic trays are virtually undetectable, and can be removed for brushing and flossing. However, unlike clear braces, Invisalign is not as effective at correcting misalignment, so it is not recommended for teeth that are very crooked.
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