Orthodontics is a critical part of dentistry because it realigns patients’ smiles for cosmetic and health benefits. However, many patients are not interested in metal braces because they impact the appearance of their smiles during treatment. To help improve how your smile looks, our practice offers two different esthetic alternatives to traditional metal braces: clear braces and ceramic braces. The specific benefits of each treatment are slightly different and knowing these is critical to determining the right treatment for you.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are sets of plastic aligning trays which gently reposition your teeth. The brand we use, Invisalign® clear aligners, is perhaps the most well-known of these cosmetic orthodontic appliances. At our dental practice in Corona, we typically recommend clear braces in cases where the need for a straighter smile is largely cosmetic. The force generated by each pair of trays is usually only appropriate for mild misalignment.
However, the benefits they offer eligible patients make this option a popular alternative to metal braces. The largest advantage to clear braces is that they are difficult to see when worn. Whereas metal braces impact the look of the smile because they are plainly visible, clear braces are unlikely to be noticed. Clear braces are also removable; this means that your diet and oral hygiene habits do not change as a direct result of orthodontic treatment.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a largely similar to traditional metal orthodontics: brackets are cemented onto teeth, a wire runs through the brackets, and this arrangement creates the force necessary to realign the smile. The difference, however, is that the brackets are made of tooth-colored ceramic and the metal wire is also shaded to blend with enamel.
This treatment is a middle ground between the esthetic benefits of clear braces and the effective treatment of metal braces. Because the methodology is the same as traditional orthodontic treatments, ceramic braces treat more cases than Invisalign clear aligners can resolve, although severe cases will still need metal brackets. Ceramic braces are also less noticeable than their metal counterparts. They are easier to see than clear braces, but the visual effect they have on the smile is minimal.
Contact Us for Orthodontic Treatment
Eastvale Dental and Orthodontics provides orthodontic treatments including clear and ceramic braces. Our cosmetic alternatives to traditional metal braces enhance patients’ dental cosmetics. For more information about how we help you meet your orthodontic needs, call our practice today and schedule your next dental appointment.