Today, parents have far more options when it comes to braces for their children than they did in the past. Gone are the days of standard metal braces; now, there are a variety of different braces available to suit different needs. Ceramic braces, also known as tooth-colored or transparent braces, are a popular choice for those who want a more subtle look than metal braces. These braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets and a white wire to blend in with the teeth.
They are especially popular among adults who don't want to draw attention to their braces, or who will be attending important events while wearing them. Lingual braces, also known as interior braces, are custom-made to fit the contour of the inside of each tooth. A wire attaches the brackets together and places the teeth in their position by pulling from the inside. While they are just as effective as traditional outer braces, they take longer to fit and require more frequent and longer appointments.
Additionally, they can be harder to keep clean and may affect speech in some patients. Lingual braces are a great option for those who are self-conscious about how they will look with traditional braces, especially in the workplace. Invisalign is another option available today. This treatment uses a series of personalized plastic trays that are worn for two weeks each and slowly move the teeth into their desired position.
The aligners are practically invisible and more comfortable than traditional braces since they have no metal parts that can rub against the gums or inside of the mouth. Patients don't need to make any changes to their diet and can clean their teeth as usual since Invisalign retainers are removed for eating and cleaning. However, Invisalign is not suitable for more complex cases involving an underbite or intense crowding. Additionally, it does not refine the final positions of the teeth as effectively as traditional braces do.
Complex orthodontic cases are best treated with traditional orthodontic appliances, which use metal brackets and wires that are anchored to the teeth and slowly move them into their desired position over time. Self-ligating orthodontic appliances use a sliding mechanism instead of elastic bands to connect the wire arches, allowing them to move with the natural movement of the teeth rather than needing to be adjusted by an orthodontist. They require fewer visits to the dentist, work faster than traditional orthodontic appliances, and can be made more attractive with bands of different colors on the straps. In conclusion, there is a variety of orthodontic appliances available today that vary in how they work and how they look.
Clear aligners offer advantages such as being transparent and practically invisible, removable, easy to maintain your teeth, easy to brush and floss, requiring fewer visits to the dentist, and being faster than traditional orthodontic appliances in some cases. Traditional orthodontic appliances offer advantages such as being able to treat complex cases effectively and refining final tooth positions better than Invisalign does. Lingual braces offer advantages such as being virtually undetectable but may require elastic bands that people can see.
