- Braces: An Overview
- What Metal Braces are Made Of
- How Braces Work
- Metal Braces for All Ages
- Self-Ligating Braces
- Types of Braces Reviews
- Clear Braces
- What are the advantages and disadvantages to clear braces?
- Are Clear or Ceramic Braces the Right Choice for My Smile?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Book Now
At Farina Orthodontic Specialists, we offer a variety of braces for kids, teens, and adults to meet your unique needs!
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type of braces for orthodontic patients. Today’s metal braces are much smaller, flatter, and more comfortable than in the past. Patients of all ages choose metal braces to help them achieve straight, beautiful smiles.
What Metal Braces are Made Of
Traditional metal braces are made of high-quality stainless steel or titanium.
The three main parts of your braces are:
- Brackets — Brackets are attached to the teeth using special glue that bonds them to the tooth surface and holds them in place.
- Archwire — The archwire is the thin metal wire that connects each bracket and puts pressure on the teeth to help guide them into place.
- Ligature Elastic (also known as the “rubber bands”) — Elastics, or rubber bands, are the colored ties that hold the archwires to the brackets. Your orthodontist will change the elastics at each appointment. Elastics may come in a variety of colors.
How Braces Work
Once placed on your teeth, braces place constant pressure on your teeth, and the force of the pressure helps move teeth into the proper position. At each appointment, your orthodontist may tighten the archwires. In addition to braces, some patients may need to wear rubber bands or headgear. Patients wearing braces may notice their teeth feeling a little loose. This is normal and temporary; once the teeth are done moving, this feeling will go away.
Metal Braces for All Ages
Traditional metal braces are a popular option for many patients. Your orthodontist can help you determine what treatment is best for your individual case. Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment and learn more about how braces can enhance your smile.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are another option offered at Farina Orthodontic Specialists! Self-ligating braces have specialized brackets that independently slide to tighten over time. This means fewer orthodontist visits for manual tightening, and patients often find this option more comfortable.
Types of Braces Reviews
We have completely treatment with one kid. We currently have 1 more in treatment and one more starting soon. Braces aren’t like they used to be. He offers several different types of braces. My youngest sucked her thumb until she was 6 so she started at 9 and now in a “break” while her adult teeth comes in. My oldest had a massive gap. But not anymore. Everyone is nice. It runs pretty quickly there is only a few times we had to wait over 10 minutes. I really don’t have any complaints.
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Total Reviews
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Average Rating
Clear Braces
Having braces doesn’t necessarily require highly noticeable metal brackets and wires. In fact, many of today’s braces are made from either clear or natural tooth-colored materials to provide patients with an attractive, less noticeable alternative to traditional braces. Clear braces are the same as traditional metal braces except that they are clear!
Clear braces are a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces and provide patients with an equally effective treatment. Clear aligners are different from clear braces. Clear aligners are pieces of hard plastic that are designed to fit into your mouth like a mouthguard. Clear aligners are great for patients requiring minor orthodontic treatment.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to clear braces?
As with any orthodontic treatment, it is important to choose the right option for your needs and lifestyle. Clear braces are a great alternative to traditional metal braces and your orthodontist will help you determine whether they are the right treatment for you.
Advantages to clear braces:
- Appearance: Ceramic braces and clear braces are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Clear and ceramic braces offer an aesthetic alternative for patients seeking options other than traditional metal braces.
- Confidence: Many patients who choose ceramic or clear braces feel more confident about their orthodontic treatment, especially knowing that people are focusing on their smiles rather than their braces.
Disadvantages to clear braces:
- Cost: Ceramic and clear braces may cost more than traditional metal braces. Your orthodontist may offer convenient payment plans to help control the costs of your treatment. Be sure to talk to your orthodontist about all of your financial options.
- Discoloration: The clear elastic ties used with clear and ceramic braces may become slightly discolored when you drink tea, coffee, or wine, and eat certain foods or smoke. Ask your orthodontist about how you can keep your braces looking their best.
- Treatment Time: Orthodontic treatment with clear or ceramic braces may take longer than with traditional metal braces. If you don’t mind investing a little more time in your smile, then talk to your orthodontist to find out how long your treatment time will be with clear or ceramic braces.
Are Clear or Ceramic Braces the Right Choice for My Smile?
By talking to your orthodontist, you can decide if clear or ceramic braces are the right treatment for you. Your orthodontist can provide answers to your questions and extra information explaining the benefits of each treatment. If you would like to learn more about clear braces, ceramic braces, and all of the options available to you, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kinds of Braces Are There?
There are multiple types of braces on the market. Making sure you pick the right kind for your lifestyle is something you can talk to your orthodontist about when coming in for an appointment.
The most traditional type of braces is metal braces. With this type of braces, metal brackets will be attached to the front side of your teeth with special glue, and then the brackets will be connected via wires. Small elastics are then placed on the brackets to keep everything in place. This type of braces requires periodic visits to the orthodontist’s office to tighten the wires and continually apply pressure on the teeth.
Clear braces work similarly to metal braces, but they use a ceramic material for the brackets instead of metal. This makes the braces blend in with the teeth so they are not as noticeable as traditional braces.
Self-ligating braces have specialized brackets that independently slide to tighten over time. This means fewer orthodontist visits for manual tightening, and patients often find this option more comfortable.
Are There Any Alternatives to Braces?
Yes! Invisalign® treatment uses clear, plastic aligners to move the teeth and jaw instead of metal brackets and wires. The aligners often go unnoticed to others, so people may not even know you are undergoing treatment. Invisalign aligners are able to fix most of the same issues as braces, so speak to your orthodontist about this option if you are interested.
Can I Get Braces on the Same Day as My Consultation?
At Farina Orthodontic Specialists, we offer same-day braces! At your initial consultation, our team will conduct an oral examination and take X-rays. After we’ve gathered that information, we will create a treatment plan. If you are a candidate for braces, you can have the brackets placed the same day!
How Long Do I Have to Wear My Braces?
The average treatment time for braces is about two years, though this really depends on what problems you are being treated for. Simple cosmetic fixes will be able to incur shorter treatment times, whereas serious orthodontic intervention will take closer to the two or three-year mark.
How Much Will My Braces Cost?
The price really depends on the patient and what they are being treated for. To get a better idea of the price for your personal treatment, you can schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. We understand that braces are not cheap, but they truly are an investment that will benefit you for life. During your consultation, be sure to inquire about any payment plans or discounts available to help make the cost of braces more manageable for you!
Will Braces Be Painful?
Braces do tend to cause some discomfort in the mouth after they are first put in and after the following tightening. This soreness can be relieved by eating softer foods or taking pain medication for a couple of days until the irritation subsides. Sometimes the friction between brackets and soft tissue of the mouth can cause some tenderness, though this can be solved with dental wax provided by your orthodontist.
Will Braces Affect My Lifestyle?
Braces will not drastically alter your daily life. Mild irritation may occur but this should not stop you from going about your day. Some changes include avoiding certain foods that are chewy, sticky, or hard, as these can harm your braces and lead to an impromptu visit to the orthodontist. Another small change is that you may want to wear a braces-friendly mouth guard during sports or physical activities.
One thing to keep in mind is that your braces are like a magnet to food and plaque that want to cause cavities. You should take extra care when brushing your teeth, and try to floss once a day with the special flosser provided by your orthodontist.
What Should I Expect When Getting My Braces Off?
It’s such an exciting day when you get your braces removed! After years of treatment, you are finally able to showcase your beautifully straight teeth. During this appointment, your orthodontist will remove all the metal brackets and wiring. They will clean any residual glue off your teeth and give you a retainer to keep your teeth in position. At first, you will need to wear the retainer as often as possible, and only remove it for cleaning your teeth or meals. After a certain duration, you can wear your retainer for only part of the day or at night when you are sleeping.
