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Have you been advised to wear braces? Are you thinking about how they might change the way you look? Are you scared of visible metal braces giving you a metallic smile?

Well here’s something that will help clear your mind.

Wearing braces doesn’t mean that one has to wear very visible metal wires any more.

There are braces available today, that are made of either clear or natural looking tooth colored materials.

One such discussed here is Ceramic braces.

Ceramic braces with more clarity and light in color are also called as Clear braces.

What are Ceramic Braces?

There are now a number of options to straighten misaligned or wrongly angled teeth. One can have the traditional metallic braces which are proven to do the job but are plagued with a few unwanted disadvantages such as looking unsightly when smiling apart from clinically causing tooth decay and shortening of tooth roots.

One of the better options out there is using ceramic braces made of composite materials. They come in varying levels of transparency so you have ceramic brace that can take on the natural color of the teeth or are thoroughly translucent to be called clear ceramic braces and they do not stain. Three popular brands of ceramic braces include Mystique made by GAC along with Clarity and Transcend made by 3M Unitek. Most adults prefer ceramic braces because they blend in with the color of the teeth and are cosmetically less noticeable than metal.

Ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts.

For these reasons ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on the lower front teeth.

The use of ceramic braces have been introduced more recently as they have distinct advantages over metal braces especially if one is concerned about their appearance.

Why choose Ceramic Braces?

Ceramic braces are a clear alternative to metal braces using clear tooth colored brackets. The advantage of these brackets are that they are less noticeable, which means you can smile with confidence. Ceramic brackets are a great choice for both adults and children.

The wires that are used to bring the teeth into the desired position can also be tooth colored but as treatment progresses stronger metal wires will be needed.

The wires that are used to bring the teeth into the desired position can also be tooth colored but as treatment progresses stronger metal wires will be needed.

How are Ceramic Braces Fitted?

Fitting ceramic braces is fairly a simple process.

Firstly, the teeth must be dry, clean and then the orthodontist will apply a product called etch to each tooth. This is then washed away and the teeth are dried.

After the teeth have been cleaned and dried, each block is glued individually on the teeth.

Once this has been done, a thin wire is threaded through each block and held in place by small clear elastic.

The thickness of the wire slowly progresses throughout the treatment as the teeth move into the perfect arch position.

Once the braces are fitted, the treatment duration varies for each individual.

On average a course of treatment is between 12-24 months.

At the end of the treatment, a retainer will be given.

A retainer is an invisible removable appliance which helps to keep the teeth in their new position.

How do Ceramic Braces work?

A ceramic bracket will be attached to each misaligned tooth

Each bracket is customized to adjust the tooth to the proper location and angle.

The bracket has a slot for the wire that will form an arch around the teeth.

Using gentle pressure, the wire moves the teeth into ideal positions.

Things to Keep in Mind While Using Ceramic Braces

If you drink colored juices or sodas use a straw.

Avoid foods that may stain your braces. These include berries, soups, pasta etc.

Drink water with your meals to help rinse your braces while eating.

Advantages of Ceramic Braces

  • Ceramic braces are less painful as they do not irritate the gums.
  • Ceramic braces either have semi translucent ceramic brackets which are better for very white teeth or tooth colored ceramic which is better for slightly darker teeth.
  • They blend well in either of the above mentioned ways.
  • Ceramic braces usually do not chip or break.

Often people think about the metal braces which are the most common type of braces that are made of high grade stainless steel. These straighten teeth by using metal brackets and arch wires.

However, these metal braces have some drawbacks which ceramic braces do not have. These drawbacks are

  • They are the most visible braces
  • They are less comfort.
  • They tend to irritate gums

Hence, many patients who opt for ceramic braces feel more confident because they are aware that the braces are not conspicuously visible to others.

While metal braces were a common practice years ago, Ceramic braces were developed to be more discrete.

Authored by :

Dr. Zahoor Unnisa

Ankura Dental – Best Dental Clinic in Hyderabad

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