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A GUIDE TO CERAMIC BRACES

Many people have abandoned the idea of getting their teeth straightened because of the conspicuous nature of the traditional metal braces. Because of this, ceramic braces were produced. These braces have given many people the privilege to undergo orthodontic treatment without having afear of being noticed.

The ceramic braces are quite effective and popular; the only difference between them and the traditional metal braces is that they are less noticeable.

We have explained in this guide the differences between ceramic braces and every other type of braces in the market and their costs. We hope it will be useful in helping you to make the right choice of braces.

You can visit us in London to get the brace of your choice. Book an appointment with us today.

TABLES OF CONTENTS

CERAMIC BRACES

Ceramic braces are only the clearer or whiter version of the traditional metal braces. They are made from clear or white materials which causes them to be less noticeable.

Most ceramic braces have fixed brackets which are held to each tooth and an archwire which connects all the brackets. Most of the times, the archwire also have a frosted colour (colour of the tooth) so that they can blend with the teeth. Thearchwire is held in place by small elastic bands also called ligatures, and they usually have the colour of the bracket.

While undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is recommended you visit your dentist atleast once in every six to ten weeks so that the progress of the treatment can be checked and the wire adjusted foryour teeth to continue to move in the desired direction.

The treatment usually takes about 18 – 24 months to be completed, but the exact duration is largely dependent on the type and amount of misalignment treated. A few days after the braces get tightened; some patients often notice a little soreness of their teeth. Aside from this soreness, only little discomfort should be felt.

There are braces which use the ‘self-ligating technology’. With this technology, the wire is designed to automatically adjust and tighten the brackets so that the treatment canprogress. This takes away the need for adjustments and tightening by the dentist. This technology takes away the need for ligatures since the brackets hold themselves to the wire.

Benefits of fixed ceramic braces

Some benefits are peculiar to the fixed ceramic braces, and they are as follows:

  • The treatment is less obvious; hence, the treatment process is discreet.
  • Both teenagers and adults can use it
  • Can be used for the treatment of a wide range of teeth misalignment, even severe malocclusion
  • They are made from strong ceramic materials, and hence, they do not easily chip or break.

Though teeth straightening are mostly done for aesthetic reasons and a boost of self-confidence, there are many more reasons why the teeth should be straightened. One of them is that straight teeth make cleaning easier and perfectly done.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CERAMIC BRACES AND METAL BRACES

Whether you make ceramic or metal braces your choice, you will still get the same result since they have the same components and work the same way. Despite thesimilarity in their results and method of operation, these two types of braces are different in some ways.

One of these ways is that the ceramic braces are made from clear or tooth-coloured ceramic materials which blend with the teeth; hence, they cannot be easily noticed from a distance. This is not so for the metal braces as they are made from metals and can be easily noticed.

From 75% of orthodontists in the UK, you will be offered a choice of either ceramic or metal braces.

Apart from the less conspicuous nature of the braces, the wearers of these braces usually feel more confident about wearing braces than the wearers of the metal braces. Adults feel more professional about wearing clear braces to their workplace and kids, and teenagers avoid taunts like “metal mouth” while playing.

Another difference between these two types of braces is the cost. Ceramic braces are more expensive than the metal braces because they are made of more advanced materials compared to the metal braces. The wearers of ceramic braces may have some restrictions on the type of food they eat in order not to stain their white ligatures. These are the only disadvantages of the ceramic braces when compared to metal braces.

Can ceramic braces be combined with metal braces?

Yes, ceramic braces can be combined with metal braces. This is sometimes done by patients who cannot afford to get enough ceramic braces for their whole mouth. They mostly use the ceramic braces on the most visible part of the mouth (which is the upper jaw) and the metal braces on the less visible part (lower jaw).

Dentists may also advise patients with deep bites against using this combination because ceramic braces are stronger than the teeth,and they can cause the teeth to chip or break if they hit against each other forcefully. This kind of problem does not occur with metal braces.

However, these two types of braces demand special attention during cleaning. You will be shown the right techniques and tools to use in cleaning your teeth so that you will be able to remove all the bacteria that were hidden in the most unexpected places.

You can visit Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic at London to meet with our dentist. Call 020 71830755 now.

OTHER OPTIONS APART FROM CERAMIC BRACES

Invisalign

For those who are after a more discreet way of getting their teeth aligned, they can use a more invisible brace like Invisalign. This brace is made up of a set of clear plastic aligners which are designed to fit the teeth perfectly.

These braces are a wonderful replacement to the ceramic braces because they cannot be noticed except the viewer takes a close look at the mouth of the wearer. Aside from this, these braces are also removable; this is why it is more desired. However, for treatment to be effective with these braces, they must be worn for about 20 – 22 hours per day.

The Invisalign clear aligners are suitable for the treatment of about 90% of orthodontic cases. This means that it is not suitable for everyone. A potential wearer must undergo an eligibility test to determine if the brace is ideal for him or her.

The price of these braces is usually equal toor lower than that of those ceramic braces. You can book an appointment with our dentist in London to discuss a suitable type of braces for you.

Lingual braces

Apart from the ceramic braces, lingual braces are also a great choice. They are made from metal, but they are designed to be worn at the back of the teeth where they will be barely noticed. They can be customised to suit each patient so that more accurate results can be achieved. The disadvantage of these braces is that they cost much more than the other alternatives.

TYPES OF CERAMIC BRACES

There are different types of ceramic braces, and they are:

White ceramic braces

These are not as white as they are called; they have the colour of the tooth because if they are coloured white, they would be too conspicuous because the teeth have a look a bit yellowish. They usually look better on teeth with a darker shade.

The whitish colour for these brackets is obtained from a different aluminium compound. There are different brands of these braces, and it is easy to get a shade that fits the colour of your teeth. Some other brands may have shades that may not suit you well. White braces do not get stained, but their elastics may.

Clear ceramic braces

Polycarbonate (plastic) or ceramic are used for the production of these braces. The aluminium compound, which is used in the production of the brackets of clear ceramic braces, can last for a longer period and is resistant to stains. This is not so for those made from polycarbonate.

The clear braces are more suitable for those with naturally white teeth. This is because the transparent brackets allow the white teeth to be clearly seen through.

The clear ceramic braces do not easily get stained though their ligatures can be. The ligatures are usually changed during every check-up, but this does not mean they should not be well cared for. You can care for your ligatures by avoiding foods and drinks that get them stained. As we progress, you will find out more on the foods and drinks that can easily get your ligatures stained.

Coloured ceramic braces

These braces are not entirely coloured like the name sounds; they usually have coloured ligatures. This is perfect for those who want to spark up their braces with different colours. Since the ligatures are changed during every check-up, you can choose to rock a colour of ligature different from the previous. There are a wide range of colours, so you have no limitation.

THE BRANDS OF CERAMIC BRACES AVAILABLE IN THE UK

There are different brands of braces in the UK, and different dentists have their favourite because of many reasons. Some of these reasons may include the price, quality, ease fitting and removal, availability or the choice of the customer.

The following brands are available in the UK:

  • Damon Clear
  • Radiance Plus
  • Clarity (both the ADVANCED AND SL)
  • InVu

You may meet a dentist that offers just one or two of the above brands. If you have a brand in mind, look for other dentists who offer the brand you want.

Let’s take a little look at the uniqueness of each brand.

Damon Clear braces

This brand uses the self-ligating system. This means they do not use the small elastic bands and they are less likely to get stained. These braces, according to some patients, are more comfortable because the teeth are always under gentle pressure to move to the desired position rather than being tightened after every few weeks.

The Damon Clear braces usually need lesser check-ups and treatment time. This is why people in need of quicker results without having to suffer any significant change in their schedule go for them.

Radiance Plus

These braces are from the American orthodontists, and they are made of sapphire, which is the second strongest thing after diamond. They have the appearance of glass, and according to dentists, they are the most transparent brand of braces you can find on the market. Looking at their appearance and material of production, they are the most expensive.

Clarity

These braces are produced from 3M, and their brackets have the colour of a tooth. These braces are specially designed to be comfortably worn when the treatment is on-goingand easily removed after the treatment is over. They are of two types: the standard type and the self-ligating type.

InVu

These braces are tooth-coloured, and they are exceptionally made to fit perfectly with the shade of the wearer’s teeth. It has a Teflon coated metal wire, and if the coating cracks or gets scratched, the metal underneath will show.

THE COST OF CERAMIC BRACES

Unlike metal braces, ceramic braces are gotten from the private clinics and therefore need to be paid for. Their prices are not fixed as different dentists charge differently for them.

In the table below, you will see a guide to the cost of ceramic braces in the UK. The cost presented is just an estimate gotten from two to three clinics. Before getting yourself a brace, confirm the price with two or more dentists.

Type of braces Material Self-ligating? Cost per arch

Damon clear

Clear

Yes

£1,500 - £2,750

Radiance plus

Clear

No

£1,800 - £4,000

Clarity ADVANCED

Tooth-coloured (translucent)

No

£1,700 - £3,500

Clarity SL

Tooth-coloured (translucent)

Yes

£1,900- £3,700

InVu

Tooth- coloured (fitting the wearer’s teeth)

No

£1,800 - £3,200

ADJUSTING TO YOUR CERAMIC BRACES

According to the reviews of wearers, thisstyle of braces is usually comfortable to wear. They said they feel less self-conscious while wearing ceramic braces.

However, you need to remember that these braces can still be noticed to some extent though people may hardly notice because many do not know about white and clear braces.

Can ceramic braces get stained?

Depending on the materials used in making the ceramic brace, it may stain. However, if the brackets do not get stained, the ligatures will. They can be stained from some foods and drinks.

If you are concerned about how visible your braces are, you must keep the foods and drinks that stain them away. This means you should brush your mouth and rinse it after every meal you eat. It is alsoessential for you to floss daily or use interdental brushes. Your dentist will advise you on the tools and techniques that will help you clean your teeth and braces effectively.

Foods and drinks that stain ceramic braces

If you are concerned about keeping your braces and ligatures free from stains, you should avoid the following foods and drinks.

  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Red wine
  • Dark fizzy drinks, e.g. cola
  • Sweets with bright colours
  • Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce
  • Curries
  • Berries, e.g. raspberries, blueberries, etc.

Your dentist may add to this list so that you can have a bracefree from stains. You will be told to avoid hard, chewy and crunchy foods so that your braces can be adequately protected.

If you smoke, it is good you quit because it will get your braces stained and you will also develop other dental problems.

Always keep up to the schedule of your appointment— this will help minimise the staining. You will also have a chance of changing your discoloured ligatures. If you are with a self-ligating brace, then you do not have to worry about ligatures. You will only have to clean like your dentist advises and you will be free from staining.

WHITENING YOUR TEETH WITH BRACES

If you want to whiten your teeth to complement your smile, you will have to wait until you are done with your braces treatment. This is done to avoid you ending up with spots because the whitening agent will not reach every part of the teeth. You should also avoid using whitening toothpaste during this period.

MAKING A SUITABLE CHOICE

When choosing the braces (whether metal or ceramic) to use, you will have to consider your budget and aesthetic. If you have not made any considerations about Invisalign, you should do so since they are also a great choice to make.

Visit Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in London to discuss with our dentist. We will help you make the right choice of braces for you. Book an appointment with us or call 020 71830755 now.