When thinking of braces, many only ever think of metal braces. However, there are many other options available. In today’s blog we will be looking at the different types of braces available. The five main types of braces are metal braces, ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners. Continue reading to learn about each of these types of braces and their advantages/disadvantages.
Metal Braces:
Metal braces are the most common type of braces as they are highly efficient and affordable compared to other options. These are the most noticeable braces, but also offer the most flexibility for children choosing unique colors and do not significantly alter speech.
Ceramic Braces:
Ceramic braces are less visible than metal braces as they are made of clear tooth colored material. These braces are slightly more expensive than metal, but work in the same way as the metal options.
Self-Ligating Braces:
Rather than elastic rubber ties to keep the wire in place, self-ligating braces use doors or clips to hold the wire in place. The braces are easy to adjust and are available in ceramic or metal material.
Lingual Braces:
The interesting characteristic of lingual braces is that they are the exact same as metal braces, however the wire and brackets are all placed on the inside of teeth, opposed to the outside. These braces are entirely invisible, yet are not easy to clean and fairly expensive. Installing lingual braces is much trickier than standard braces and many orthodontists did not learn how to install them during orthodontic training.
Clear Aligners:
Clear aligners such as Invisalign are near invisible and are easily removed. However, the aligners will not be useful for people who need drastic changes to their teeth. These aligners are more often used as a follow up to braces or for people who just have slight dental problems.
Now that you know the differences between types of braces, you can confidently choose the one most suited to your needs! Here at Loos Medical Technologies, we have a range of wire products that are suited to the orthodontic industry. Learn about our arch and ligature wire on our product page here. Alternatively, if you have any questions, our team is happy to help! Reach out to us by email at sales@loosco.com or by phone at (860) 928-7981.