Types of Braces
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type, and are more comfortable today than ever before. They are made of high-grade stainless steel. Metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastic ligatures for a more unique and colorful smile. You can chose your colors every time you come to our office for your adjustment appointment!!! In our office we use The Victory Series™ miniature APC metal bracket system . These brackets have a low profile design for optimal patient comfort and bond strength. The APC™ System needs no adhesive mixing or application, since it’s the only orthodontic bonding system with an adhesive coating on each bracket. This means that each bracket is in its individual package prior to being placed in the mouth.
Self-ligating braces
Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastic ligatures, which means fewer appointments and less friction on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces, but use a specialized clip in place of elastic ligatures to hold the archwire into place. The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure placed on the tooth, and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastic ligatures to replace.
Clear (ceramic) braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene because ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth. In our office we use the Clarity™ ADVANCED Ceramic Brackets and the Clarity Metal-Reinforced Ceramic Brackets. These brackets offer the ultimate combination of aesthetics and performance to our patients. They are ultra-small translucent brackets, made of innovative new, ceramic material for an attractive appearance. They are designed to blend with one’s natural tooth color and are resistant to staining and discoloration throughout treatment. They have dome-shaped design to aid in patient comfort.
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want, when you want, while in treatment; plus, brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and contain no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.