We know that a lot of our patients want straighter teeth but don’t want the metal braces that are so obvious. That’s why we’re happy to offer clear braces to people in North Miami. Clear braces work just as well as metal braces to straighten teeth, but they look a lot less obvious. More and more kids and adults who want to improve their smile without attracting attention to their braces are choosing this alternative.
Ceramic braces, sometimes known as clear braces, use brackets made of clear or tooth-colored materials that blend in with your teeth. The brackets are fastened to your teeth in the same way that regular braces are, but they are far less obvious, especially from a distance. In many situations, the wires that link the brackets can also be the same color as your teeth, which makes them even less noticeable. The end result is an orthodontic treatment that works well and doesn’t get in the way of your smile while it’s straightening.
A lot of our patients want to know what the difference is between clear braces and Invisalign. Both of these solutions are less noticeable than metal braces, but they work in distinct ways. Like regular braces, clear braces stay on your teeth during therapy. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses a set of clear plastic aligners that can be taken off. There are pros and cons to each method. In certain cases, clear braces work better for more complicated orthodontic problems. Invisalign, on the other hand, is easy to take out for eating and cleaning. We can help you figure out which choice is ideal for your needs during your appointment at our office.
When you choose transparent braces at our North Miami office, we start by giving your teeth and jaw a full checkup. This could mean getting x-rays, pictures, and imprints or digital scans of your teeth. With this information, we can make a treatment plan just for you that takes into account your specific dental structure and orthodontic demands. We’ll go over the whole process with you, answer any questions you have, and give you an idea of how long the treatment will take.
Putting on clear braces is comparable to putting on regular braces. We clean and dry your teeth well before we start. Next, we use a special glue to stick the clear brackets to your teeth. We put the brackets in position and then thread the archwire through them. We then use small elastic bands to hold it in place. The whole thing usually takes one to two hours and doesn’t hurt, but you might feel some pressure on your teeth.
You will need to come back to our office every so often after your clear braces are put on for adjustments. We check your progress at each appointment and make any changes that are needed to keep your teeth moving in the proper way. These changes are very important for the treatment to work, and they normally happen every four to six weeks. A lot of patients feel some pain for a day or two following their adjustments as their teeth start to move, but over-the-counter pain medicines are usually enough to help with the pain.
People often ask us how to take care of clear braces. Because the brackets are constructed of ceramic or other transparent materials, they need a little more care than metal braces. If you don’t take care of these materials properly, they can stain, which would undermine the point of choosing a less obvious option. We suggest staying away from meals and drinks that are known to stain, like coffee, tea, red wine, and sauces made with tomatoes. If you eat these things, washing your mouth or cleaning your teeth afterward can help keep them from staining.
Braces, even clear ones, need to be cleaned well every day. Food can easily become stuck around brackets and wires, which makes it more likely that your teeth will rot and your gums will hurt. We tell our patients to brush their teeth after every meal and floss every day. If they need to, they can use special orthodontic tools to clean around the brackets and under the wires. It’s also crucial to get your teeth and gums checked and cleaned often when you’re getting braces.
The length of time you need to wear transparent braces depends on a number of things, such as how complicated your situation is and how well you follow your treatment plan. Most patients wear braces for 18 to 24 months, however simpler cases may be done faster. Following the instructions for wearing elastics or other appliances and keeping all of your adjustment visits can help keep your therapy on track.
We also offer Braces for Kids and Invisalign at Specialty Smiles for patients who have varied needs and wants. Traditional metal braces might be the best choice for younger patients who can’t use transparent braces or Invisalign. Families generally find that these last longer and cost less. We work with each patient to identify the best way to help them with their problem.
You’ll need to wear a retainer after your braces come off to keep your teeth straight. Retainers stop your teeth from slowly moving back to their original locations, which is something that happens naturally, especially in the first few years after getting braces. You might merely wear a removable retainer at night, or you might have a permanent retainer glued to the back of some of your teeth.
Putting money into transparent braces is like putting money into your smile and confidence in the future. A lot of dental insurance policies cover certain orthodontic work, and our staff can help you figure out what your benefits are. We also have other ways for our North Miami patients to pay for their therapy so that it is less expensive.
If you’re thinking about getting transparent braces to make your smile look better, we encourage you to make an appointment at Specialty Smiles. Our knowledgeable staff will look at your unique needs, go over all of your alternatives, and help you choose the best orthodontic treatment for you. We are proud to offer personalized care in a warm, welcoming setting, and we look forward to helping you get the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.