5 Different Types Of Braces And Which Is Right For You

Written By Sharon Williams / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Are you thinking of getting braces?

Well luckily for you, this is the perfect time to get braces due to the various options that are available nowadays to straighten your teeth as compared to the traditional metal braces that were available a couple of years back. There is a vast variety of braces available that are great improvements of the traditional metal braces making it easy for you to tackle various orthodontic problems that you may face.

If you're not familiar with orthodontics then all these choices can be confusing initially. The best way to clear this up is by prioritizing whats important to you in your treatment.

5 Types Of Braces Available 

1. Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are similar to traditional metal braces with the exception of the brackets and the wires being installed at the back of your teeth. The installation and maintenance can be a bit tough due to the positioning of it but it will serve its purpose. Due to its unique placement and installation process, it usually costs a bit more and can be a bit strenuous to wear initially, but this is best for people who want to maintain an aesthetic appearance of their mouths. 

2. Ceramic Braces

These braces have different kinds of names, some of which are aesthetic braces, tooth-colored braces, porcelain braces or clear braces. Ceramic braces are the same as traditional metal braces with the sole exception that they are designed to blend in with your natural tooth color, making them less visible.

Ceramic braces are a great choice for adults or teens who want to minimize the appearance of their braces. These types of braces will give you a cosmetic experience while wearing braces. These types of braces are much more likely to break than their traditional counterparts so it is not recommended to have these types of braces installed when a lot of pressure is needed to move your teeth. 

3. Self-Ligating Braces

These types of braces are currently very popular with orthodontists as it requires less dental visits and gentler treatment. Self-ligating braces produce quicker results as the teeth move without needing to be adjusted. This type of movement asserts less pressure and friction on your teeth, making it less painful for your gums. Fewer trips to your dentist will cost you less money and less time. 

4. Invisalign Braces

These are a clear kind of braces that you can opt for instead of metal braces. They are made up of clear plastic aligners that are similar to mouth guards which have been specially designed for your mouth. Invisalign aligners can be removed when eating, brushing and cleaning but you will need to switch out your aligner every fortnight. Each new aligner is designed to increase the adjustment of your teeth more and more.

Aligners are generally recommended by an orthodontist for ongoing use after finishing your orthodontic treatment. These aligners will maintain your teeths positions till they have settled into their intended positions. 

5. Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional braces are made of high-grade stainless steel and have metal brackets that are attached to each tooth using a kind of cement. These brackets are then connected with one another with a thin archwire. This will put pressure on your teeth to move slowly into their intended positions.

The archwires are connected to the brackets with tiny elastics which are known as ligatures or o-rings which will be switched out each time your dentist tightens your braces. Traditional metal braces are still the most common braces in use today and are both an excellent and practical option for people who suffer from complicated tooth and jaw problems.

You have a wide variety of braces to choose from nowadays and are no longer limited to the large metal braces that have adorned every crooked set of teeth and been the object of ridicule for close to five decades now. Whatever your age, if you need braces now, there is a much wider variety to choose from.

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Written By:

Sharon Williams' day job is to handle digital marketing for Koch Orthodontics in Loganville, GA. With a flair for creating compelling content that clears the clutter and connects with the audience in an instant, she writes about dental topics to educate and help her readers. She truly believesthat a genuine smile can win a million hearts and talks to her readers about improving their smiles and overall dental health, as well as enhancingtheir overall lifestyle. In her free time, she likes to organize small meets in her neighbourhood where she brings people together to discuss various topics that she writes about.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.