different types of braces, NJ orthodontist

YOUR NJ ORTHODONTIST offers a variety of types of braces because we know every patient is different. Sometimes, having braces can make things feel a bit crowded in your mouth, but every piece of orthodontic hardware serves an important purpose in getting you the straight, healthy smile you deserve! There are also several different types of braces, some of which are more effective at correcting certain orthodontic problems than others.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile, and you can change those every few weeks to keep up with your style. Of all types of braces, this one is still often the most effective option to treat an orthodontic problem.

Clear Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a series of transparent, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners see-through, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.

Lingual Braces

These braces are a lot like traditional metal braces, but they are the most invisible to the people around you of any kind of orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners! How? Because the brackets go on the tongue side of your teeth, where nobody looking at you can see them! Anyone who wants low-profile treatment (especially if you’ve been avoiding needed orthodontic treatment until now because of it) should ask us for more information about this option.

Retainers After All Types of Braces

The bone-reshaping process takes time, and our teeth still remember their old position after the braces come off. This is why it’s so important to wear retainers. They help the teeth and jaws get used to the new position, and they also prevent separate shifting that happens to most people’s teeth as they get older.

Let’s Get Those Teeth Moving!

Knowing the function of each part of your orthodontic appliance and the different types of braces is an important component of effective treatment. The more you understand how everything works, the smoother things will go and the better your final result will be. So if you have any questions about how your braces work and what the different parts are for, don’t hesitate to ask! You can also learn more about your NJ orthodontist by checking our business page, and make sure to get directions before heading to our Deptford Township location.

You’re on your way to the smile of your dreams!

Top image by Flickr user Gordon used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.