Your teeth perform many important tasks. When they are crooked, all of these roles are impacted. One of the biggest issues caused by crooked teeth is the impact it has on your smile. Crooked teeth affect your ability to bite and chew properly. They increase your risk of cavities and gum disease. Traditionally, the only solution for crooked teeth has been metal braces. An incredibly effective treatment, metal braces are also very visible. At First Impressions Orthodontics for Children & Adults, we offer a more discreet alternative with clear braces.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the traditional treatment for correcting tooth alignment. This treatment uses metal brackets and wires to achieve this goal. Metal brackets are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth at the beginning of treatment. A metal wire spans the entire arch of teeth, affixed to each bracket with an elastic O-ring, or ligature. Metal braces are incredibly effective. Even so, the metal stands out against the natural whiteness of your teeth. For many patients, this can be more embarrassing than having crooked teeth.

What are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are an alternative type of braces. Like metal braces, clear braces also correct the alignment of your teeth using brackets and wires. Unlike traditional treatment, however, the brackets for clear braces are made from porcelain or clear material. With this treatment, the wire is often metal, although it can be made from a white material as well. Clear braces provide you with a much more discreet orthodontic treatment.

Clear braces work just like metal braces. The brackets are affixed to the front surfaces of your teeth using special dental cement. The wire is then attached to the brackets with clear elastic ligatures. The wire is responsible for the movement and stabilization of your teeth. It puts pressure on your teeth, which then puts pressure on your periodontal ligaments. This causes the ligaments to widen, loosening your teeth so that they can be moved. Once your teeth have reached optimal alignment, the wires, then help to hold your teeth stable while your periodontal ligaments and jawbone heal around them.

Are Clear Braces Right for Me?

With clear or ceramic brackets, clear braces are a much more discreet treatment for correcting your tooth alignment. However, they are not right for everyone. Brackets with this treatment are not as strong as metal ones. They can chip or break under too much pressure. If this happens, the affected brackets will need to be replaced. Clear ligatures can also become discolored if you do not take proper care of your teeth. If this should happen, your braces become more obvious. Before your orthodontic treatment, a thorough examination is required. With this exam, we can determine the orthodontic issues affecting your mouth and what the best course of treatment will be. We will also be able to determine if you are a candidate for clear braces.

With clear braces, we can correct the alignment of your teeth in a much more discreet manner. For more information, and to find out if clear braces are the right option for you, call First Impressions Orthodontics for Children & Adults at (203) 292-9595 today.