Want a reliable way to straighten your smile without all the obvious metal seen in traditional braces? Ceramic braces, also called clear braces, may be a great option for you or your child. Ceramic braces are virtually invisible, except for the fine metallic wires that connect each brace bracket. In this way, they are somewhat similar in look to Invisalign clear aligners, but ceramic braces adhere to the teeth instead of being removable.
Both traditional metal braces and ceramic braces utilize the same basic technology to help patients achieve a beautiful and straight smile. Brackets are adhered to the surface of the tooth and connected to each other with fine wires that are secured with elastic bands. These wires provide the gentle tension that slowly moves teeth into the correct position.
Ceramic or clear braces are a great way to permanently straighten crooked or uneven teeth. If you have gaps between teeth in the wrong places, or a bite that doesn’t fit quite right, ceramic braces may be a great solution. Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites may be helped by ceramic braces, but it depends on the case. Crowded teeth that are too close together, which can push them into odd positions or even become painful, can be fixed with ceramic (clear) braces.
Ceramic braces are able to fix many common orthodontic problems safely and effectively. Because the brackets in ceramic braces are clear, they are relatively invisible. For this reason, they are often preferred by adults over metal braces. If you have a child who doesn’t want the look of traditional metal braces, they may also do better with ceramic braces than Invisalign, since teens can sometimes remove their clear aligners more than they should, or even leave them at school by accident.
As mentioned, one of the main benefits of ceramic braces is the clear materials that are less visible on your teeth than metal braces. If you or your child have cosmetic concerns, clear ceramic braces may be the best option. Just remember to not excessively eat or drink anything that might stain teeth, like lots of coffee, as ceramic can stain just like teeth can. (A whitening toothpaste can help.)
It is important to understand, however, that the brackets on ceramic braces can be a little more brittle than their metal counterparts. Most of the time, this does not cause a problem, but on rare occasions, eating something like hard candy could damage the brackets.
Because they are more fragile, patients often opt to get ceramic braces on the upper teeth that show when you smile, and metal braces on the hidden, lower teeth.
Traditional metal braces typically need to be worn for one to three years. Because ceramic brackets are not as sturdy as metal brackets, ceramic braces may take a little longer to achieve the final result. This is because your orthodontist will tighten your ceramic braces a little more slowly to make sure there isn’t too much pressure on the brackets.
As with traditional metal braces, a retainer will need to be worn once the ceramic braces treatment is done. Clear retainers are also available so you can continue to enjoy that “invisible” look.
Dr. Leo Spyrou, brings over 30 years experience as both a dentist and an orthodontist to his patients in Reading and the whole “North of Boston” area. In addition to a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Tufts University, Dr. Spyrou received specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders before earning his Post-graduate Degree in Orthodontics.
As well as practicing orthodontics, Dr. Spyrou enjoys teaching postgraduate orthodontics in the orthodontic department at Tufts, and is committed to staying current with the latest advances in orthodontia for children and adults. He is a member of numerous associations, including the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, and the Tufts Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Hayes was born in New York and spent her childhood and early adult years in Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida, while working full time as an orthodontic assistant. She then made the move north to endure the New England winters where she received her D.M.D degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Upon graduation, she began working as a General Dentist, where she quickly realized she wanted to specialize in orthodontics. She returned to Tufts and received her Certificate in Orthodontics.
Contact our Sudbury orthodontist office to set up an appointment for your complimentary evaluation. We will determine the best path for getting a beautiful smile. If ceramic braces are the right choice, we will conduct a comprehensive exam, take the appropriate X-rays, digital images, and/or impressions, and get you started on your ceramic braces journey.
Call our office today for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation at (978) 637-7879. Our Sudbury orthodontic office has flexible appointment times to accommodate your schedule.
