Different Types of Braces

Braces are dental devices used to align teeth. Such problems as crowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth can be solved with dental braces help.

Usually people start wear dental braces at age of 12-14, but adults can wear them too. Braces pushing your teeth in the right position, straighten and align them and gradually changing the way you bite.

There are different types of dental braces:

• metal braces

• ceramic braces

• lingual braces

• clear aligners (invisible braces)

Each type has advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional braces made of brackets and wires, that are attached to the teeth and allow to change their position as required. Usually, traditional braces fabricated from metal.

Heat-activated arch wires are a relatively new accessory to traditional braces. They use body heat to move teeth faster and with less discomfort.

Being very effective and the least expensive option traditional metal braces is the most popular. They big disadvantage is that they are the most visible type and attract attention. To improve appearance of metal braces different colored bands over the braces can be used to make them look more attractive.

Traditional metal braces are permanently fixed what makes it difficult to clean the mouth and leads to excessive tartar buildup and tooth discoloration.

The regular readjustment and intensification of the braces cause pain and sensitivity in the mouth. Lips and cheeks may also suffer soreness as a result of the contact with metal.

Traditional metal braces are good choice for patients with critical or complex orthodontic problems: from simple straightening to complex bite correction. They show good within a short period of time.

Ceramic braces are using the same technique as the traditional metal braces. They have the same size and shape, but fabricated from ceramic material. This type of braces has natural color of the teeth what makes them less visible.

Ceramic braces are as effective as traditional metal braces but more esthetic due to their color. Bonding agent used to fix ceramic braces, prevents demineralization the tooth’s enamel and discoloration around a bracket during treatment. They cause minimum discomfort and much less gum irritation in comparison with metal braces.

 The big disadvantage is that they are more expensive than metal braces and may change color without a proper care.

Unlike ceramic braces, which use elastics, self-ligating braces use a slide mechanism to fix the arch wires that runs across inner surface of the upper and lower teeth.

It is the best orthodontic options for adults since it causes minimal erosion and force on the teeth. Teeth movement is faster and easier. They are more efficient as ties (elastic, metallic) are not used which brings less discomfort during the treatment and better control of oral hygiene. 

During the readjustment period patients may experience slight irritations or sensitivity, though, such sensation lasts for only a few days.

Self-ligating braces are good options for adults since they have helped lessen the treatment process by up to six months. The big disadvantage is the price, they are more costly than other types of braces for adults.

Lingual braces are almost similar to traditional braces, but they are fixed on the inner surface of the teeth. This makes them almost invisible. This type of braces can effectively help to correct wrong bite problems.

Being fixed behind the teeth, they can lead to direct contact between the metal and tongue, what may cause irritation, pain and discomfort.

It may be difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene, since you can’t clean the food stuck in your brackets, what potentially can lead to major hygiene issues. Lingual braces may interfere with your speech during the time you get used to having these braces.

are series of custom-made transparent plastic trays. Patient can easy remove and replace them with the next one. In most cases between 18 and 30 different aligners are used to complete the treatment.

This type of braces is almost invisible and allow to eat and drink anything during the treatment. However, they can only be used for correction of minor or moderate orthodontic issues.

Does braces treatment bring good results?

Most of the time, orthodontic treatment is successful. but you need to follow the instructions of your orthodontist for treatment to work well.