TYPES OF BRACES
FIXED BRACES
METAL BRACES
Metal braces use stainless steel bands, brackets and wires to gently shift your teeth over time. A dentist or orthodontist will bond (glue) a bracket on each tooth, and then place a thin, flexible archwire over the brackets. Tiny elastic bands called ligatures keep the wire firmly in place.
Pros
- Efficient and versatile
- No speech changes
- Appointments every 4-8 weeks
- Fun if you want colours
- Less reliant on patient compliance than clear aligners
- No waiting period to get started
- Most affordable
Cons
- Difficult to brush and floss
- Most noticeable esthetically
- Not for patients with poor oral hygiene
CERAMIC BRACES
Ceramic braces are braces made of clear, tooth-coloured material. They work in the same way as metal braces but are more discreet and less visible. One drawback to ceramic braces is that they are more fragile than metal braces, so they are more likely to break.
SELF-LIGATING BRACES
Self-ligating braces look like traditional metal braces. The main difference is that, instead of ligatures (tiny elastic bands), self-ligating braces use a built-in system to hold the archwire in place.
LINGUAL BRACES
Lingual braces are like metal braces. But they go on the back surfaces of your teeth instead of the front. Most people who choose lingual braces do so because they do not want other people to be able to tell they have braces.
REMOVABLE BRACES
CLEAR ALIGNERS
Sometimes called “invisible braces,” clear aligners are a braces alternative. Instead of brackets and wires, clear aligners use a series of custom-made trays to straighten your teeth over time. Popular brands include Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®. But any clear aligner system including Invisalign has significant limitations compared to braces when addressing difficult problems or comprehensive treatments.
Pros
- Less visible than fixed appliances
- Easily removed for eating, drinking (other than still water), cleaning and special occasions
- Allow for easier brushing and flossing
- Requires fewer appointments in some cases
Cons
- An aligner must be worn for sufficient time (usually 22 hours/day) to achieve tooth movement
- Loss or damage to an aligner causes delay and further cost
- More costly than most fixed braces