Gone are the days of bulky, awkward, and uncomfortable metal braces being the only way to straighten your teeth! Modern orthodontics has come along in leaps and bounds in recent years, and patients now have multiple options for achieving better oral health and a beautiful smile. Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics offers patients of all ages a wide variety of orthodontic treatments, including clear braces.
If you need the strength and reliability of metal braces, but aren’t crazy about the way they look, clear braces could be the perfect fit for you! Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about clear braces before starting your treatment. Keep reading to learn more!
What are clear braces?
Clear braces are sometimes referred to as ceramic braces or tooth-colored braces, and work the same way metal braces do to straighten the teeth. Brackets are affixed to the front of the teeth, and a special wire is inserted. When we bend that wire in specific ways, it allows us to place varying types of pressure on different teeth. This continuous pressure is what moves them into more optimal positions throughout the treatment process.
While metal and clear braces work the same, their components differ. Instead of metal, clear braces use translucent or tooth-colored ceramic brackets, which blend right in with your natural smile. The brackets are about the same size and shape as the ones used with metal braces, and while they’re not completely invisible, clear braces are much less noticeable than their metal counterparts. When paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties, clear braces offer an incredibly subtle way to straighten your smile. This makes them a popular choice for our teen and adult patients!
What are some of the differences between clear and metal braces?
Staining
Many patients worry about staining their clear brackets. Although this could happen when clear braces were relatively new, it hasn’t been a concern for many years. Clear brackets won’t stain, but it is worth noting that the adhesive we use to attach brackets to the teeth can become slightly discolored, along with the clear elastic ties that hold the wires on.
Once upon a time, we cautioned patients in clear braces against consuming things like coffee, tea, red wine, tomatoes, mustard, etc. to avoid any potential staining. Thankfully, this is no longer necessary, since we place new elastics at every adjustment appointment. As long as you maintain a good oral hygiene routine, you shouldn’t have to give up that morning cup of coffee!
Durability
Metal braces have a long track record of being exceptionally strong and durable. While clear braces are also sturdy and long-lasting, the material they are made of is a bit more fragile. As a result, the brackets may be more prone to chipping or cracking. Additionally, the adjustments we make to move your teeth need to be slightly smaller with clear braces, so it can sometimes take a little longer to align them successfully. For these reasons, we tend to recommend clear braces to our older teen and adult patients. We may also recommend metal braces for more complex or severe orthodontic issues. However, metal and clear braces do work on the same principles, and in general, they are equally effective for most cases!
Affordability
Clear brackets do tend to be a bit more costly than metal brackets, and there is also more work involved in putting them on, adjusting them, and taking them off. Their placement and removal is more sensitive to technique and may require more time, and adjustments will sometimes be more complex. In spite of these reasons, we offer clear braces at the same price as our metal braces!.
Fortunately, Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics believe that every patient deserves the orthodontic care they need at an affordable price. It’s our goal to provide you with high-quality care and top-of-the-line treatments that will work with your budget! We currently accept all major credit cards for your convenience, and also offer financing options through Chase Health Advance. You can trust our team help you find a payment plan to best accommodate your unique needs.
Are clear braces the right choice for you?
Your first appointment with us is 100% complimentary. During this visit, you’ll receive a thorough orthodontic evaluation from one of our doctors to determine what type of treatment you need, and which treatment option would be best for you. Most of our teen and adult patients will be a good fit for clear braces, but if Dr. Hamer or Dr. Glassick feel your smile would be better served by a different treatment, that’s what they will recommend. It’s important to us to always provide customized treatment to our patients!
Clear braces are the clear choice with Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics
For older teens or adults who want all the benefits of metal braces without standing out, clear braces can be a perfect alternative! They are an especially good option for patients who may not be eligible for a clear aligner system like Invisalign. If you’d like to learn more about how clear braces can give you a healthier, straighter smile, get in touch with us today to schedule your FREE consultation. Your best smile is waiting for you!