Choose Your Style of Braces
An orthodontic “appliance” is the “hardware” that
an orthodontist uses to accomplish the tasks of aligning the teeth and
improving the bite for a patient. An orthodontic appliance can also be
used to maintain an ideal alignment after treatment (retainers).
Most people think of stainless steel braces as the usual appliance given
to someone who is seeking orthodontic treatment. Many people are not aware
that there are several other varieties of appliances available to straighten
your teeth.
Orthodontic appliances can be classified as “fixed” or “removable”. A fixed appliance is one that is attached (or “fixed”) to the teeth for the duration of the patient’s treatment. Stainless steel braces are an example of a fixed appliance. Removable appliances are worn on the teeth, but can be inserted and removed by the patient throughout treatment (as directed by the orthodontist). An example of a removable appliance would be Invisalign® aligners.
Since God has made each one of us different, some people are not suitable candidates for every appliance. The degree of dental and skeletal correction required usually dictates which appliances can be used. All patients will require more than one orthodontic appliance since retainers are necessary for almost all patients when active treatment is finished. Many patients also require more than one appliance during active treatment to achieve an ideal alignment. For example, some children require an expansion appliance prior to placement of braces.
| Although there are dozens of different orthodontic appliances, there are generally four appliances that I use in my practice to accomplish most of the dental correction for each patient. A typical patient in my practice will be given the option of choosing from one or more of the following appliances. Silver Braces Gold Braces
These are my personal favorite. The gold braces used in my practice are plated with 24-karat gold that provides a spectacular appearance. These braces are popular with all ages and genders. They are especially attractive on women who wear gold jewelry in their ears or on their neck. Ceramic Braces
These tooth-colored braces are the least conspicuous of the braces that I offer. Their glazed porcelain surface makes them impervious to stain. People often tell me that they’ve heard that these “clear” braces do not work as well as other braces. My response is that there are many different types and brands of “clear” braces, including acrylic braces. I strongly feel that the ceramic braces used in my practice are the best available clear braces in the world. After treating hundreds of cases with them, I can say with confidence that the treatment results obtained with ceramic braces are equal to those of the other types of braces that I offer. There is one catch though…since ceramic is an incredibly hard substance, it can potentially fracture the enamel of a tooth. To completely eliminate this possibility, I elect to place them on the top teeth only, which makes them as safe to wear as any other type of braces. Patients with ceramic braces on their top teeth can choose between gold or silver braces for their bottom teeth. Click here to go to the 3M-Unitek website for more information about ceramic braces. Invisalign®
As an Invisalign certified orthodontist, I also offer the Invisalign appliance to appropriate candidates. Invisalign aligners are used as an alternative to braces. Since they are a removable appliances, they can be removed by the patient to eat and brush. The most notable advantage to Invisalign aligners is that they are practically undetectable by others when worn in the mouth. Click here to go to the Invisalign website for a complete explanation of the Invisalign appliance. |
These
are the braces that most people are familiar with. They are made
of stainless steel, which gives them their silver color. Since stainless
steel contains nickel, persons with nickel allergies are not candidates
for these braces. Patients with nickel allergies that wish to have
silver-colored braces can request titanium braces but the titanium
has a significantly lower luster than stainless steel. 
This
site was developed in conjunction with the
American Association of Orthodontists.
© 2003
American Association of Orthodontists