3 Types of Braces You Should Know

Posted on December 11, 2019

Not everyone is born with a perfect set of teeth. Some people have had to deal with crowded, misaligned teeth since their middle-school days. Others have discolored yellow teeth that can cause self-esteem issues. In these modern times, however, orthodontic treatment can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Our orthodontist, Dr. David Herman, offers different types of braces to help correct your teeth’s misalignment. Here are a few types of braces commonly used to straighten teeth.

1. Metal Braces

These are the oldest and most common types of adult braces in the market. They have been used for a long time now, thus are commonly referred to as ‘traditional’ braces.

They are made from metal brackets and wires. The brackets are fasted onto your teeth and are then connected using a wire. Together, they apply pressure on your teeth, slowly moving them into the correct position. The average amount of time for braces is 2 years. But you may need them for a shorter or longer amount of time depending on your issues.

Metal braces are the least expensive type of adult braces, but with recent advancements in technology, they’re designed in such a way that makes them less invasive. Metal braces apply more pressure on your teeth than other types of braces may, and thus make the orthodontic treatment last a shorter while.

At Four Corners Orthodontics and Dental, we use the Pitts 21 System of Braces. It’s an advanced, low-friction, low force system. The brackets have smooth, rounded corners that protrude less so they’re more comfortable in the mouth. They are also self-ligating, so the treatment process moves more quickly than other systems while achieving amazing results.

2. Lingual Braces

These types of adult braces are remarkably similar to metal braces. However, the metal wires and brackets are fastened to the inside of your teeth instead.

These types of braces are also much more challenging to keep clean and are also much more expensive than traditional braces. They tend to be more invasive and uncomfortable, especially right after installation. In comparison to other types of braces, lingual braces take much longer to straighten misaligned teeth.

3. Ceramic Braces

These adult braces are designed somewhat similarly to metal braces. However, they utilize ceramic brackets instead of metal. Usually, these brackets are transparent.

Ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than traditional braces; thus they are liable to break, especially if you play rough sports.
If you’re taking your child through orthodontic treatment, ceramic braces may not be such a right choice as they require the patient to be very careful with them. A child may not have the responsibility it takes to maintain these braces. They also tend to be more expensive due to the ceramic material.

The Impact of Adult Braces on People’s Quality of Life

When you visit an orthodontist, you get on the path towards better oral care. Adult braces will help straighten your teeth, and this will make it easier for you to floss and clean them. In the long run, this reduces the chances of you suffering from dental cavities, plaque, and other related dental issues.

Since adults make up to 20% of the patients that get new braces each year, you have nothing to worry about concerning orthodontic treatment. In fact, we tend to see that the results from adult braces make patients look years younger. Give us a call at 505-564-9000 to schedule your free consult today!