The metal brackets that come with traditional braces tend to stand out and can make some patients feel self-conscious about their appearance. Our orthodontists understand that not everyone is comfortable with the idea of their teeth being stared at, which is why we sometimes recommend ceramic braces instead.
Here are the main differences between ceramic and metal braces so that you can make the best decision for you or your child. For more information, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with our trusted team of orthodontists.
Subtle Appearance
Ceramic braces mimic the color of your natural tooth enamel. This means that unless someone is standing right next to you, it is difficult for them to see that you are wearing orthodontics. Many adults seeking to correct their bite may choose ceramic braces to retain a professional smile and avoid the stigma of having braces during adulthood.
Teenagers may also benefit from because they are less noticeable. Traditional metal bracescan make anyone feel self-conscious, especially growing teens. If you are interested in the possibility of ceramic braces for your teen, we recommend having a conversation with our orthodontists.
Overall Cost of Treatment
Unfortunately, the cost of ceramic bracesis higher than metal brackets.
This partly has to do with the materials that are used. For example, the ceramic brackets used in the Radiance Plus ™ brand are made out of pure grown sapphire crystals that are honed and heat polished to look translucent.
Determining the average cost of ceramic or traditional braces is difficult because each patient’s treatment plan is different. Our orthodontists will need to perform an evaluation to fully determine the amount of orthodontics needed to correct you or your child’s smile.
Level of Treatment Needed
If you or your child need an extensive amount of orthodontic treatment to ensure the best smile, our orthodontists may recommend traditional braces.
Getting your teeth to move to their optimal alignment requires that a certain amount of pressure be applied. Unfortunately, the material in ceramic brackets is brittle and more likely to chip or break than metal braces.
Ceramic braces are best suited for minimal orthodontic treatment plans. Be sure to speak with our orthodontists to decide whether ceramic or metal braces will be more appropriate.
Maintenance Required
The clear or white ligatures used with ceramic brackets are more susceptible to staining than their traditional colored counterparts. This is a constant concern during treatment, which is why our orthodontists will replace the clear elastic bands at each adjustment. The actual brackets for clear braces are stain resistant.
Ceramic brackets are larger than metal ones, which can make brushing and flossing your teeth a bit more difficult. It is important that you brush your teeth at least twice a day to avoid discoloration and plaque buildup. Our orthodontists can give you helpful tips on maintaining a healthy mouth during clear braces treatment.
Let’s Discuss Your Options
If you are interested in our ceramic braces treatment, our orthodontists in Grand Rapids and Grandville, MI, would be more than happy to explain the entire process. Call one of our Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics locations today to make an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.