Types of Braces Technology is much different than it was 10, 20 or even 30 years ago. It used to be that when a kid needed braces, they would beg and plead their parents NOT to get them braces because they thought they would look bad on them. Today, however, technology is different. You also have a bunch of various options available to you when it comes to braces, but of course, there are the old standbys as well. Below, you will find the different kinds of braces that you will find in a dental office in Clearwater, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Metal/Traditional Braces These are the old standbys! They are very traditional when it comes to technology. They are metal brackets and wires that you would expect to see when you hear the word “braces.� However, even technology has changed with these. Modern metal braces are much smaller than they used to be and much less noticeable than they were, say, back in the 80s. There is also a new kind of technology called arch wires which are heat activated wires that heat up with the warmth of your mouth to help your teeth move quicker and less painfully than they once did. The biggest benefit to these is that they are by far the most affordable braces around. They also give your kids a chance to express themselves with the colored bands. However, even though they are much smaller than they once are, they are still pretty noticeable just the same. Ceramic Braces These are much like the metal braces above, however, instead of that stainless steel silvery color that the metal braces have, these have tooth colored or clear brackets that
blend into the color of the teeth. Unless you are talking right in front of someone's face they might not even know you have ceramic braces! Some of the dentists may even offer you tooth-colored wires to blend them in even more. The obvious benefit to these is that they are much less noticeable than metal Braces. However, they also cost more than metal braces as well, and the brackets and wires can stain easily – since they are clear or white, so the wearer will have to take care of them significantly more, especially if they drink tea or other beverages that can stain them. Lingual Braces These are pretty neat. Instead of the brackets and wires being on the front of the teeth, they are on the back of the teeth. The biggest positive to this is that they are virtually noticeable. However, as you probably thought when reading about these braces, they can also be very uncomfortable. Imagine having something hard stuck to the inside of your teeth! It would take awhile to get used to for sure. These are also harder to clean since they are in a sort of odd place in your mouth. In severe cases, these cannot be used, and you will have to go with one of the other options available. Also, adjustments take a little longer than normal braces.
Invisalign This is a much newer technology. They look and feel a lot like a plastic mouth guard, but they work very differently. These are a mouth guard made from clear plastic aligners. The tops and bottoms can have anywhere from 18 to 30 “teeth� grooves for your teeth, and they are completely custom made. These are also removable so you can take them out whenever you want, but they are replaced every two weeks. The biggest benefit to these is a simple fact that they are almost invisible and that the wearer can eat or drink anything they want. However, these are not to be used for people with major dental issues. And these can only be used for adults and teens, not children. They are also the most expensive option out of the above-mentioned options.
All of these are good options, but it depends on what you are comfortable with regarding viability and comfort, as well as what you or your parents can pay. Its also going to depend on your tooth structure, so make sure that you talk to your dental office in Clearwater to find the right fit for your particular needs.