Our Grand Rapids orthodontists understand that not everyone feels comfortable with highly visible metal on their teeth. That’s why we provide patients with the option of ceramic braces.
These nearly invisible braces consist of clear, tooth-colored brackets and wires so you can smile with confidence during orthodontic treatment. Whether your child has crooked teeth or significant issues with bite alignment, ceramic braces can help.
Here are 5 reasons why ceramic braces might be right for your teen as well as how they compare to traditional braces and Invisalign® clear aligners.
If Chosen, Ceramic Braces:
1. Match Natural Tooth Color
At Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics, we use because it is the clearest ceramic twin bracket available. Each Radiance Plus bracket is created from a single crystal of pure-grown sapphire. The crystal is honed and heat-polished into a remarkably strong and beautiful bracket that’s nearly invisible.
Many teenagers feel self-conscious about their appearance, especially during orthodontic treatment. Because of this, your teenager may appreciate not having their braces clearly showing in their high school yearbook. can help your child achieve beautifully straight teeth without feeling the need to hide their smile.
2. Are a Great Alternative to Invisalign
If your teenager is worried about the appearance of braces, then Invisalign may be your first choice. After all, what’s less noticeable than a set of clear aligners?
However, Invisalign isn’t always the right option, especially for teenage patients. Ask yourself: is your teenager disciplined enough to consistently wear Invisalign clear aligners? While some teenagers are able to have their trays in place for 22 hours a day, it’s important to remember that each child is different.
If you suspect your teen will be tempted to not wear their Invisalign aligners as often as they should, then ceramic braces are a nice compromise. White braces match the color of tooth enamel and can only be taken off by one of our orthodontists.
3. Can’t Be Removed
Both aligners and white braces work by exerting pressure on teeth to move, which can be temporarily painful after an appointment. Fortunately, ceramic braces are bonded to your teen’s teeth so they can’t be removed at the first twinge of pain. Aligners that can be removed, like Invisalign, end up costing you more money if they aren’t worn consistently because it takes more time to straighten the teeth.
Pain is a sign that the teeth are moving according to plan. If you’re worried your teenager will remove their aligners if they feel pain, then ceramic braces may be a better option. If your child experiences pain after we adjust their braces, we recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and eating soft foods. The pain will subside after a day or so once their teeth move into place.
4. Straighten Teeth 24/7
People can lose ground with Invisalign if they forget to pop their aligners back in after meals. Ceramic braces, on the other hand, are always bonded to your teen’s teeth so they can’t be forgotten. Since your teen will wear their braces 24/7, their teeth will move according to plan. That way, they won’t have to be in orthodontic treatment for longer than necessary.
5. Resist Stains Better Than Before
The first white braces were made from plastic and easily stained by tomato sauce and other foods. Fortunately, today’s ceramic brackets resist staining so your child can maintain a beautifully white smile during treatment.
Just to be clear, your teen will still need to avoid staining the clear orthodontic elastics we use to attach the archwire to their brackets. However, elastic ties are always replaced during each appointment even if staining occurs.
Learn More About Ceramic Braces
Our Grand Rapids, MI, orthodontists are dedicated to helping your teenager achieve their best smile with ceramic braces and other orthodontia services. Call Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics today at (616) 455-4800, or contact us online to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.