Your Okotoks Invisalign® Provider
What are the different types of braces?
Did you know there are different types of braces beyond the traditional metal kind? Advances in orthodontic treatment have brought us options for patients who have unique needs or preferences. Today, we’ll explain the types of metal braces available at our Okotoks office.
Metal Braces (Traditional)
For decades, braces have been the preferred technique of straightening teeth. As the most prevalent form of braces, they are usually the ones that everyone thinks of and the ones that you probably remember seeing your friends wear in your teens.
They are comprised of stainless steel, which makes them more comfortable than previous iterations. The use of metal brackets and archwires to straighten your teeth gives you the opportunity to customize your look by employing coloured elastics (rubber bands) to match your outfit or dress code.
Clear (Ceramic) Braces
Ceramic braces, which are made of transparent materials, are popular with older teens and adults since they should be less noticeable on the teeth than metal braces.
There is one thing to bear in mind about ceramic braces: they are bigger in size and more brittle than regular braces, thus they will necessitate greater attention to oral cleanliness than traditional braces. Instead of using them on lower teeth, orthodontists normally prefer to use them on the higher front teeth.
Lingual Braces
These are referred to as "invisible" braces since they are hidden below the teeth and so should not be seen when you smile. Orthodontists also make metal appliances specifically for the patient, which allows them to modify them to match the contour of a tooth even more closely.
Suitable for models, actors and actresses, athletes, professionals and musicians, they will typically be less visible to the average observer during treatment.
Self-Ligating Braces
These braces are normally available with transparent or ceramic brackets, as well as the more standard metal brackets. The elastics in these braces have been replaced with a specific clip that assists the archwire in moving the teeth into place, despite their similar size to metal braces.
Because elastics don't usually have to be replaced, the clip necessitates fewer modifications and decreases the amount of pressure put on each tooth.
Clear Aligners
This series of transparent, soft, and virtually undetectable acrylic trays straighten your teeth in the same way as braces do. They are, however, detachable, so you should be able to eat and drink whatever you like while you are receiving treatment as long as you clean your teeth and the clear aligners afterward.
Additionally, brushing and flossing should be easier. Because the aligners are made of plastic rather than metal, there is virtually no chance of having abrasions in your mouth from the wires used during treatment.
We will be pleased to discuss which sort of braces will work best for you and your requirements, no matter what your style or requirements are. Contact us now.