It can be daunting first looking into braces, because contrary to what many adults believe before doing their research, there is more than just one type of braces. That's right, traditional metal braces are not your only option.
Different types of braces are used for various purposes, so your personal circumstances will determine which braces you're suitable for. Today we're looking at the five types of braces available to you, how you can choose the best option for you, and more.
There are five main types of braces you could choose from, including:
Let's take a deep dive into what each of these names means, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Metal braces are often the type of brace most patients think of when visualising braces. They involve metal brackets being bonded onto your teeth with glue, connected by a metal wire kept in place with tiny elastic bands. These elastic bands are otherwise known as power chains, and they put the teeth under constant pressure to gently move them towards each other. This influences the teeth to straighten and close gaps.
The majority of patients wear metal braces for between 18 and 24 months, but every case is different. Metal braces can also be used to fix a number of issues, such as misaligned bite, jaw malocclusions, and straighten teeth.
Ceramic braces are an aesthetic alternative to metal braces, as they use ceramic brackets rather than metal. Ceramic material is closer to the colour of your teeth, so many find ceramic to be a less noticeable type of brace. In terms of functionality, ceramic braces work very similarly to traditional metal braces. They use clear bands and a thin metal wire to join the inconspicuous brackets, keeping gentle pressure on your teeth to move them to the correct positions.
Treatment using ceramic braces often takes between 18 and 36 months. This is slightly longer than traditional metal braces because ceramic material tends to be easier to break than metal, so patients might need more frequent appointments with their orthodontist to fix the breakages. Waiting for these appointments might set your treatment back.
Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces, but rather than the metal brackets being bonded to the front of your teeth, they're bonded to the back. They're connected in the same way as metal braces with wire and elastic power chains, but they're better hidden from the naked eye. Most people prefer lingual braces when they want to keep their braces hidden when smiling or talking.
Lingual braces tend to take between 12 and 18 months to straighten teeth, but this depends on your personal circumstances. Some major misalignments might take longer to fix because the elastic bands on lingual braces might not have as much pressure on the back of your teeth as the front.
Self-ligating braces might look like traditional braces, but they're missing one vital component - the elastic bands. Instead, self-ligating braces use a mechanism to keep the wire in place without pesky bands that have a tendency to snap and fall off. There are two types of self-ligating braces:
Clear plastic aligners, such as Invisalign retainers, are transparent trays that fit over your teeth to gently move them to their desired position. Clear aligners are designed to move teeth in small amounts over time, with the trays being replaced every couple of weeks to move the teeth further. For example, Invisalign retainers tend to be designed to move teeth 0.2mm every two weeks.
Clear plastic aligners generally take between 12 and 18 months to complete treatment, but most people claim to see a difference within just 24 hours. Clear braces are most effective for minor misalignments rather than major issues.
They're incredibly difficult to spot by others when you're talking
Clear braces tend to be more comfortable than traditional braces
Aligners tend to work quickly
Some appreciate that clear aligners can be removed instead of being bonded to the teeth
Clear aligner treatment is more expensive than traditional braces
You need to remove the trays before eating and drinking
Clear aligners need to be cleaned often and thoroughly
You're more likely to lose clear aligners than traditional braces
It's difficult to decide which type of braces is best for you without talking to a specialist, because your orthodontist will be able to determine which type will create the best results in the fastest time possible. Before deciding on a type of braces, always consult a dentist or orthodontist to get tailored advice.
Most experts consider clear aligners to be the quickest braces, although the time it takes depends on your personal circumstances. This might also be due to the fact that clear aligners are often used for minor oral treatments rather than major misalignments.
Your orthodontist will tailor your treatment to your needs, but most patients need their braces tightened or adjusted between four and ten weeks.
Your insurance company might cover the cost and fitting of your braces only if they're medically necessary and not for aesthetic purposes. Traditional braces are more likely to be covered than any other type of braces as they tend to be the cheapest.
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