Invisalign and Ceramic Braces: Invisible Options for Orthodontic Treatment

July 16, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

One of the biggest reasons people choose orthodontic treatment is to improve the appearance of their smile, so it makes sense that people wouldn’t want their smile to become cluttered with metal braces. It used to be the only way to get your desired result was with months, or even years, of having teeth covered in highly visible metal. However, patients have more options than ever due to brilliant innovations in orthodontic treatment options.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces move your teeth using the same set of mechanisms as traditional braces. Ceramic braces feature a series of brackets combined with archwires and elastics. But, instead of using metal for the brackets, ceramic braces are made out of clear medical-grade material, resulting in a more discreet look and a less cluttered smile compared to traditional braces. 

Just like traditional braces, ceramic braces can fix a wide range of orthodontic problems, including major gaps, crowding, or severe crookedness. You can also use interarch bands with these braces to fix underbites or overbites. Since the brackets on these braces are made of a clear material, be extra careful to avoid foods that stain and to keep up with brushing and flossing as much as possible. 

Invisalign

As one of the most significant advances in orthodontics, the Invisalign clear aligner system offers a very different experience from traditional braces, but with the same great results. While Invisalign can’t treat quite as wide of a range of cases as traditional braces, it can still give dramatic results to patients in need of orthodontic adjustments. 

The aligners are made of a sophisticated plastic material, which was actually created just for Invisalign. The system is irritant-free and is totally invisible when worn by any patient. This means you have a smile free from brackets and wires throughout your treatment, allowing you to have confidence and see your progress along the way. 

In addition to being clear, Invisalign aligners are also removable. They conveniently snap in place when you put them in and are easy to take out for meals or for playing contact sports. As opposed to wearing braces, you don’t have to alter your diet in any way while you are on your way to your perfect smile with Invisalign. 

You’ll of course want to avoid staining foods while keeping up with regular cleaning to get your brightest smile at the end. In addition, you should regularly clean your aligners to avoid the growth of plaque or calcium buildup. Be sure to avoid drinking coffee, tea, or any hot beverage while wearing your aligners to avoid warping them. The only thing you should consume with your aligners on your teeth is cold water. You should also store them safely away from the Texas heat (such as a hot car) to keep their shape. 

To learn more about the great options for orthodontic treatment available for you, schedule your free consultation at Austin Orthodontics today! 

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Comparing Different Types of Braces

April 23, 2019 Austin Orthodontics

Before visiting Austin Orthodontics for a free consultation, you may be under the impression that there is only one type of braces for you to choose. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are more options than ever to get a beautiful, straight smile you will be happy to show off. Here are the types of braces we offer.

Self-Ligating Braces

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Most people picture silver braces with brackets and wires when they think about orthodontic treatment. This tried-and-true method of straightening teeth has been used for decades to straighten people’s smiles and to fix jaw issues.

Self-ligating braces use the same bracket-and-wire approach, but instead of using elastic bands to attach the archwire, each bracket has a small gate that holds the wire in place. The elimination of the bands definitely has benefits, including a sleeker, less-cluttered smile and the increased ease of brushing and flossing. Patients have also experienced less discomfort compared to regular braces because the gate on each bracket allows more freedom to move than elastic bands do.

During the course of treatment, your orthodontist will adjust your braces during your visits to start the next correction phase. These adjustments with self-ligating braces often take less time than with traditional braces because it is faster to open the gate on each bracket to change or reposition the archwire than to remove and replace elastic bands.

Clear Braces

While metal braces are smaller and more discreet than they were in the past, they still are the most visible form of braces. An alternative to metal braces that delivers excellent results is clear braces. By replacing the metal brackets with a clear material, typically porcelain or ceramic, the braces are far less noticeable and result in a less cluttered smile. This can be a great option for people who are in college or who are trying to advance their careers but still want to correct their smile.  

At Austin Orthodontics, our clear braces are also self-ligating, which means your braces are even less noticeable since they do not require elastic bands on each bracket.

WildSmiles

While older teens and adults are often looking for ways to make their orthodontic treatment less noticeable, many younger teens and tweens embrace their braces (pun intended) and incorporate them as part of their personal style. WildSmiles, available here at Austin Orthodontics, gives kids the ability to add fun-shaped brackets to their smiles. They still get great results since the braces are just as effective as traditional braces, but instead of only sticking to the plain bracket shape, they can express their personality by choosing from various sports ball shapes, flowers, stars, and more!

Contact Dr. Briggs and the team at  Austin Orthodontics today to learn more about these great options for braces. We offer free initial consultations so you can determine what type of treatment would work best and if we are the right fit for you.

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