If your goal is to straighten your teeth and create a more self-confident smile, you may be considering braces. You may wonder about clear braces to keep from drawing too much attention to your orthodontia. Dr. Angela with Palm Beach Orthodontics offers clear braces as an option to her patients and provides recommendations for when they are a great choice.
What Are Clear Braces?
Clear braces, sometimes called ceramic braces, work similar to traditional braces, except they are less visible. Traditional braces are made of metal while clear braces are ceramic or plastic. With both traditional and ceramic braces, the orthodontist will glue brackets to the teeth and use wires to move the teeth into proper alignment in time.
Clear ceramic braces are larger than metal braces and more brittle, which means they can break easier. They are more often used on upper teeth than lower teeth because of their delicate nature. They are attached the same way as metal brackets, and the archwires are white to make them less obvious.
Clear aligners are plastic or acrylic trays that work like braces to straighten your teeth. They are not only nearly invisible; they are also removable. You take them out when eating or brushing and flossing. Because they don’t have any brackets, they don’t cause abrasions in your mouth. You wear a set of aligners for a period of time, usually about two weeks. Then, you switch to a new pair that will shift your teeth a little more. In total, it will take between 12 and 24 months for most people to complete treatment. It can vary by person and how much work needs to be done on the teeth to get them aligned.
Clear Braces for Teens
Teens who want to improve their smile have multiple options with braces. They can wear ceramic or invisible braces instead of traditional metal braces if they are self-conscious about the way braces look. Dr. Angela can provide recommendations after an initial evaluation of the patient.
Ceramic braces are generally reserved for older teens who are responsible enough to take care of them. Because they are brittle, these braces are more likely to break if not handled correctly. Invisible braces are more durable, but the teen must remember to wear them at all times (aside from eating or brushing).
Clear Braces for Adults
Adults may long for a prettier smile but hesitate to take action because of the embarrassment of wearing metal braces. With clear braces, they can get that new smile they want without being obvious about treatment.
Ceramic braces and clear aligners are popular options for adults. Clear ceramic braces can help straighten teeth in a subtle way. Aligners are even less noticeable and can be removed while you are eating. Another benefit of this type is that you don’t have to worry about cleaning your teeth around metal braces and wires. Since you can remove the liners, it is easy to brush and floss like normal.
Braces for Children
Even though metal braces are generally recommended the most often for children, they are not the only option. Kids can benefit from clear braces as well, especially the invisible trays. Children may be less self-conscious about getting braces if they aren’t noticeable.
Invisible braces are also more comfortable and an ideal choice if your child has a sensitive mouth. While patients can expect to feel some discomfort as the teeth are being moved and straightened, the pain is reportedly less than with metal braces. Metal braces can cause pain and abraisions in the mouth throughout the duration of treatment.
Your child will need to remember to wear their invisible braces all the time unless they are eating or brushing. If they have a tendency to be forgetful, regular clear braces may work better.
Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Angela
If you are considering braces for yourself or your child, the first step is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Angela. She will meet with you and perform an exam to determine what kind of correction is needed. You can ask questions and discuss your goals for seeking orthodontic care.
Dr. Angela will discuss your options, explaining the benefits and disadvantages of each type of braces, including clear and invisible trays. She can also provide you with a cost estimate for the type of braces you choose. Clear ceramic braces take about the same length of time to straighten your teeth as metal braces, while invisible trays may take longer.
During your consultation, you will receive an estimate for the cost of treatment. Dr. Angela can provide pricing for the various options available, even though clear braces aren’t that much costlier than traditional braces. If you’re ready to start working on your new smile, contact Dr. Angela at Palm Beach Orthodontics to set up an appointment.