Clear braces
A clear alternative to metal braces
Ceramic braces are also referred to as clear braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces. Clear braces are a less obvious way to straighten your smile when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties. They’re smaller than ever and made of nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material and work the same way metal braces do.
The clear ceramic material blends with the color of your teeth, making them perfect for patients who want a subtle treatment. This option is especially attractive if you are an aesthetic-minded adult or teen.
Blend in with clear braces
Ceramic braces are perfect if you want an esthetic treatment option but don’t want the extra hassle of removable aligners and the responsibility of wear time with clear aligner systems like Invisalign®. Even though most patients in ceramic braces love how discrete they are, we do have some teens and adults who like to use colored ligature ties. This gives braces an almost neon look. The colors pop off the clear brackets, creating a really unique look most people haven’t seen before.
You may be worried about ceramic braces staining, but that hasn’t been a problem for several years. Ceramic brackets won’t stain. However, the adhesive used to attach the brackets to the teeth and the clear elastic ties used to hold the wires in can stain. This can give an overall impression of discoloration or staining over time. You can choose to avoid things like coffee and tea, red wine, tomatoes, mustard, etc. to cut back on the chance of any staining, but this isn’t necessary since we change your elastics at every adjustment appointment. As long as you maintain a good oral hygiene routine, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about giving up your morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine.
The differences between clear & metal braces
Though they’re not completely invisible, and the brackets are about the same size and shape, clear braces are much less noticeable than metal braces. These ceramic brackets blend in well with your natural smile.
Both types of braces are equally effective. Metal braces are known for their durability and strength. Ceramic braces are also tough, but they are made from a different, more fragile material that is more likely to chip or crack. Because of this, we typically recommend them for older teen and adult patients. Traditional braces are also better at tolerating pressure than newer ceramic ones. If you need more drastic corrections, metal braces could be a better option. Adjustments with ceramic braces have to be slightly smaller, so it can take a little more time to align your teeth.
Cost of clear braces
One of the biggest factors that affect the cost of your treatment will be the materials used to make your braces. In our office, ceramic brackets cost a little more than metal brackets.
The good news is, that we offer flexible payment plans and automatic bank drafts, and we will also check with your insurance company for orthodontic benefits. Our goal is to provide outstanding value for reasonable fees. Treatment fees will vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment. Dr. McGrory or Dr. McCarty will determine a treatment fee that fits your specific orthodontic needs, and our office will do everything we can to accommodate you and your budget.
The work it takes to put your braces on, adjust them, and take them off must also be factored into the total cost of treatment. Placing and removing ceramic braces are more sensitive to technique and require more time.
Our treatment coordinators will be happy to go over the cost with you at your first free consultation.
