Metal vs. Clear
Get Vivid Results with Both
At Vivid Orthodontics, we know you have questions about metal braces vs. clear ones. While both are extremely effective at fixing jaw and teeth alignment problems, each has distinctive appearances and features.
Flash your brass
Metal braces remain the most common type in use, but they’ve definitely come a long way the last few years. Today’s braces have smaller, less noticeable brackets, and the elastics that hold the arch wires in place feature shades from every member of the rainbow family, which allows you to be as colorful or as discreet as you want.
Even better, modern arch wires use your body heat to move teeth more effectively with less discomfort.
Go undercover
Clear and ceramic braces are sometimes considered “invisible braces” since the brackets are designed to blend in with the color of your teeth. Although mostly reserved for special occasions, tooth-colored wires may be substituted to make your ceramic braces even less noticeable.
What happens when you get braces
When you have your first visit, we will walk you through the steps of treatment. The process usually involves:
1. Recording a starting point
We’ll get X-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth that we can reference as a baseline. You will likely get more X-rays and photos both during and at the end of your treatment.
2. Bonding
After cleaning and preparing your teeth, we use a special dental cement to bond brackets to them. Once the brackets are in place, we’ll insert arch wires, which are held in place by tiny rubber bands called elastics.
3. Adjustments
Once bonding is complete, your jaw and teeth will gradually start to move—a process so slow you won’t even notice it’s happening. Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll have a short checkup to monitor your progress, ask questions and have the tension on your braces adjusted. This adjustment will keep your treatment moving forward as efficiently and effectively as possible.
4. Debonding
Once your teeth and jaw are in the right place, it’s time to celebrate. We’ll remove your elastics, arch wires and brackets, let you take a look at your wonderful new self, then take impressions for your custom retainer.
5. Retainers
To keep your fabulous smile in place for a lifetime, you’ll get a permanent or removable retainer. Removable types include a clear plastic tray that fits over your teeth or a Hawley retainer, which is a combination of molded plastic and wires that is fitted to your mouth. Wearing that retainer as directed will ensure your teeth stay right where they’re supposed to be.
We’re here for you
Have more questions about metal braces vs clear bracket braces? Give us a call at (920) 739-2400.
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