Now you can straighten your teeth without them looking fake. At Specialty Smiles we offer clear braces as a great option for those who want effective treatment without the metal look of braces. These new orthodontic devices use materials that match your natural teeth so they are just as good as permanent braces. The end result is a treatment plan that fixes alignment issues and you feel good about how you look the whole time.
Clear braces use the same mechanical principles that have made traditional braces work for decades. The main difference is the materials used to make the brackets and in some cases the wires. Clear braces use ceramic or composite materials that match the color and transparency of natural tooth enamel instead of stainless steel brackets. These brackets become almost invisible once we glue them to your teeth. You won’t even notice them when you talk or hang out with friends. Many patients feel better when they see how subtle their braces look once they’re on. They often say they thought they would be more noticeable.
People of all ages like clear braces for different reasons. Adults like how clear braces make them look professional at work and in business meetings. People who work with clients, customers or coworkers a lot will find it easier to straighten their teeth without drawing attention to their orthodontic treatment. Teenagers also choose clear braces because they help them feel less self conscious during a time when they are going through a lot of changes. The cosmetic benefit helps keep your confidence up at school events, social events and big events like proms and graduations.
When you schedule a consultation at our Miami Lakes office we will do a full evaluation to see if clear braces are right for you. Most people can get this treatment but we look at each case individually to make sure they get the best results. We look at your bite, check the position of your teeth, go over any work you’ve had done on your teeth in the past and talk about your treatment goals. Knowing what you want to achieve lets us create a plan that’s just for you. Some adjustments happen quickly but others take longer to get the best results.
Putting on clear braces is the same as putting on regular metal braces. We prepare the surface of each tooth so the brackets stick well and then glue them in the exact spots that will move your teeth the most. We put a thin wire through all the brackets and tie it down with small elastic ties once they’re all in place. Patients can choose clear or tooth colored ties to keep it subtle or colored ties if they want to add a personal touch to their treatment. The whole system applies gentle but steady pressure to the teeth which slowly moves them into place over time.
Regular adjustments to your clear braces are a big part of successful orthodontic treatment. We usually schedule these appointments every 4-8 weeks depending on what stage of treatment you’re in and how your teeth are doing. At each visit we check on your progress, change the elastic ties and tighten the wires as needed to make sure the teeth are moving as planned. These appointments are usually under an hour so they fit into even the busiest of schedules. Having our office in Miami Lakes makes it easier for local families and individuals to get orthodontic care because they don’t have to travel as far.
When you wear clear braces it’s very important to keep your mouth clean. If you don’t clean them well the brackets and wires can trap food and grime on extra surfaces. We show you how to brush and floss correctly so you don’t hurt your orthodontic hardware. Brushing your teeth after every meal keeps them from getting stained and protects them from decay while you’re in treatment. If you don’t keep the ceramic brackets clean they can get dirty so it’s important to keep up with your hygiene habits so they stay clear during your treatment. We give you specialized cleaning products and step by step instructions to help you keep your mouth healthy.
Making changes to your diet can help prevent damage to your clear braces for no reason. Clear brackets are made of ceramic which is a little more delicate than stainless steel. This means you need to be extra careful with some foods. Ceramic brackets can crack or break when they come into contact with hard things like ice, nuts and hard candies. Caramel and taffy are two examples of sticky foods that can pull brackets off teeth. We give you full advice on what foods to avoid and suggest alternatives that will satisfy your cravings while protecting your investment. Most patients get used to these restrictions quickly and think the short term changes are worth it to get the results they want.
Because of the materials and manufacturing process used, clear braces are more expensive than metal braces. Ceramic brackets are more expensive to make than metal ones and if they break during treatment they may need to be replaced. But many patients think the aesthetic benefits are worth the extra cost. People who care about looking natural will find it very useful to be able to straighten their teeth without metal brackets. We work with several insurance companies to help patients understand what their coverage is for orthodontic treatment.
The length of treatment with clear braces is usually the same as with traditional metal braces because both types of braces move teeth in the same way. Simple adjustments may only take a few months while more complicated cases that require a lot of movement or bite corrections may take 18 months to 2 years or more. At each visit we monitor your progress and let you know how long it will take. Most patients see visible changes within the first few months which gives them the motivation and support they need to stick to their treatment plan.
Some patients want to know how clear braces compare to clear aligners that can be removed. Both look better than metal braces but work differently and are better for different types of cases. Clear braces stay in place and work all the time so the patient doesn’t have to do anything. This makes them better for cases that need a lot of tooth movement, rotations or bite corrections. Removable aligners work well for mild to moderate cases but patients have to wear them for the prescribed number of hours a day. We help you figure out which one gives you the best chance of getting the results you want depending on your individual orthodontic needs.
We also have customized programs like Braces for Kids that cater to the specific needs and concerns of younger patients. This is for patients who want to learn about different orthodontic options for different stages of life. We tailor our treatment recommendations to each age group because they all have different problems and priorities. This way everyone gets the best results.
At Specialty Smiles we use the latest orthodontic technology and give each patient personalized care to make sure their treatment exceeds their expectations. We know that orthodontic treatment takes time, effort and money. We appreciate the trust you put in us by choosing our clinic and we strive hard to give you results that improves not just your smile but your confidence and quality of life.
Clear braces might be the best option for you if you’ve been thinking about getting orthodontic treatment but are worried about how standard metal braces look. We encourage you to schedule an appointment so we can evaluate your teeth, go over all your options and create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs. Your path to a straighter, healthier smile should fit your lifestyle and aesthetic goals while giving you the beautiful, long lasting results you want. Let us show you how clear braces can fix your teeth while keeping the natural, confident look you want throughout your whole orthodontic treatment.