What Braces are Made Of
Traditional metal braces are made of high quality stainless steel or titanium. The three main parts of your braces are:
- Brackets — Brackets are attached to the teeth using special glue that bonds them to the tooth surface and holds them in place.
- Archwire — The archwire is the thin metal wire that connects each bracket and puts pressure on the teeth to help guide them into place.
- Ligature Elastic (also known as the “rubber bands”) — Elastics, or rubber bands, are the colored ties that hold the archwires to the brackets. Elastics come in a variety of colors. Our staff will change the elastics at each appointment, so that you can change the colors you want to wear around your braces each month!
How Braces Work
Once placed on your teeth, braces place consistent very light pressure on your teeth, and the force of the pressure helps move teeth into proper position. At each appointment, Dr. Markowitz and our staff may tighten the archwires. In addition to braces, some patients may need to wear rubber bands. Patients wearing braces may notice their teeth feeling a little loose. This is normal and temporary; once the teeth are done moving this feeling will go away.
Braces for All Ages
Traditional metal braces are still the most popular, quickest, and most cost-effective orthodontic treatment available. We also offer ceramic or champagne braces, for those patients who want a more esthetic alternative. Your orthodontist can help you determine what treatment is best for your individual case. Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment and learn more about how braces can enhance your smile.
What is the difference between metal braces, clear braces, and champagne braces?
Clear braces and champagne-colored braces are the same as traditional metal braces, except that they are clear or champagne (gold) in appearance! Clear braces are a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces and provide patients with an equally effective treatment. Champagne braces also offer a less noticeable alternative, and can be used as another esthetic alternative to metal braces.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. 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 elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Today's metal braces are much smaller, flatter, and more comfortable than in the past. Patients of all ages choose metal braces to help them achieve straight, beautiful smiles.
Clear (Ceramic) Braces
Having braces doesn't necessarily require highly noticeable metal brackets. In fact, many of today's braces are made from either clear or natural tooth colored materials to provide patients with an attractive, less noticeable alternative to traditional braces.
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are 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 as 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 lower teeth.
Champagne Braces
Champagne braces work exactly like traditional braces except they consist of gold brackets, paired with a silver wire, making them a stylish choice. Champagne braces complement virtually any style. Like traditional metal braces, champagne braces work by applying gentle pressure to the teeth to gradually guide them to the right positions.
What are the advantages of clear or champagne braces?
As with any orthodontic treatment, it is important to choose the right option for your needs and lifestyle.
Advantages to clear or champagne braces:
- Appearance: Ceramic braces are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Ceramic braces offer an aesthetic alternative for patients seeking options other than traditional metal braces. Champagne braces offer a natural, slightly gold-looking appearance, and tend to blend into the teeth more than metal braces do.
- Confidence: Many patients who choose ceramic or champagne braces feel more confident about their orthodontic treatment, especially knowing that people are focusing on their smiles rather than their braces.
Are ceramic braces or champagne braces the right choice for my smile and me?
By talking to Dr. Markowitz and his staff, you can decide if ceramic braces or champagne braces are the right treatment for you. Our staff can provide answers to your questions and extra information explaining the benefits of each treatment, and any cost differences between the different types of braces. If you would like to learn more about ceramic braces or champagne braces, and all of the options available to you, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment today.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners 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 while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
