Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Common Types of Braces

17 February 2015

Duane Kelly

If an orthodontist has informed you or your child that you need braces, you may have conjured the image of a mouth full of metal that will forever stop you from smiling. But the truth is, there are a variety of braces on the market, and not all of them will give you a silver smile. So to help you understand what is available, here are the most common types of braces.

Metal -- Metal braces are still probably the most common types of braces. But unlike in the past, metal braces aren't as big as they used to be, because advances in dental appliances have made these brackets and wiring less bulky, while still retaining strong tightening function on your teeth. Metal braces are constructed from stainless steel, which is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, and also has a high strength to weight ratio. And while metal braces are still going to fill your mouth with silver, you can add decorative options such as coloured rubber bands to individualize your smile.

Ceramic -- Ceramic braces were developed in response to the popularity of 'invisible braces,' and are exactly like metal braces with the difference being that they are far less noticeable when you smile, because they're made from white ceramic, which more closely aligns with the colour of your teeth. Ceramic braces are typically made from a material known as polycrystalline alumina, which is a clear material that is non-porous and stain resistant. The one thing about ceramic braces is that they are still connected by metal wire, but the overall appearance is much more attractive than with metal braces. However, ceramic braces aren't as strong as metal braces, which means there's a greater chance they will crack or break than with metal braces.

Invisible -- Invisible braces, also known as clear aligners, are a newer type of teeth straightening devices that are popular among young adults and teenagers. With invisible braces, your orthodontist takes an impression of your teeth and creates a dental tray from that impression, that looks very similar to a teeth whitening tray. Using a computerised program, your orthodontist will create a customized treatment, in which you wear a different aligner every two to three weeks as your teeth straighten. Invisible braces are removable, so you can take them off when you brush and floss and eat, and best of all, because they are transparent, no one will know you are wearing braces, so you can rediscover your smile while knowing your teeth are being straightened.

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