Types of Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
They are still one of the most effective ways for straightening teeth and transforming smiles. While these types of braces have been in existence for decades, the technology continues to improve. In the past twenty years, the metal brackets and wires have become significantly smaller, so they are more difficult to see. While the metal is still obvious, more of the natural tooth shines through. These braces are also the least expensive option, making them ideal for both children and adults.
Ceramic Braces
This is an excellent solution for those that want to straighten their teeth, but don’t want anyone to notice. These types of braces are primarily recommended for adults because the ceramic bracket that is placed onto the teeth is hard to keep clean and take care of. If it gets stained, your tooth will appear stained or like you have food on it for the remainder of the treatment time unless it is replaced. This is a significant responsibility to place on a child, making metal braces a more practical solution.
Lingual Braces
These types of braces are unique and not suited for everyone. At Dental Excellence, we don’t recommend this for complex cases because it is difficult to access the brackets and wires. Lingual braces are made of the same materials as metal braces but instead of being placed onto the surface of your teeth, they are placed behind your teeth. This makes them virtually invisible, an excellent choice for those that want straight teeth without anyone noticing.
The challenge with lingual braces is that they are difficult to access, making them an inferior option when more complex bite adjustments need to be completed. They are also more expensive due to the additional labor time that goes into installing and maintaining them. While patients like that they are virtually invisible some due complain about the discomfort of having metal brackets and wires in that position.
Invisalign®
For those that don’t want to wear brackets at all, Invisalign® or clear aligners are an ideal option for straightening teeth. They look like a clear retainer that surrounds both your upper and lower teeth. This is an ideal solution for people that have busy lifestyles and don’t want to visit the orthodontist on a regular basis. While some checkups are necessary, they are less frequent because the aligners are created in advance.
Another advantage to wearing aligners is that they come out. An aligner is only supposed to be worn for 22 hours a day. Patients find it a convenient way to continue eating their favorite foods and caring for their teeth while receiving an orthodontics treatment. As a result, there is a decreased risk of staining or damaging aligners as compared with traditional braces. The drawback is that they can be more expensive, and they are easy to lose by accidentally throwing them away.
If you live in Newark, Long Branch and New York, call 973-578-8800 (Newark), 732-728-7075 (Long Branch) and 212-804-0500 (New York) to schedule an appointment with Drs. Pinkhasov and Yusufov and to discuss which types of braces are right for you.