Many orthodontic patients—especially those who are well past their teen years—are reluctant to sport a mouth full of metal. The point of orthodontic treatment is a more attractive smile, so patients may want to avoid appliances that detract from the smile for the long duration of their treatment. Clear braces are a good solution for these NYC patients. Clear braces involve ceramic tooth, colored brackets that blend in with the teeth, making them far less noticeable than their metal counterparts. These ceramic brackets tend to be stain-resistant.
Your orthodontist uses these clear brackets in the same way that traditional metal brackets are used. The brackets are bonded to the teeth, and archwires are weaved through them. The brackets are attached to the archwires using elastics, and the archwires are switched out throughout treatment to adjust the forces and tension applied to the teeth in concurrence with the treatment plan.
The most obvious advantage of clear braces is aesthetic. Although they’re not completely invisible, clear braces do not have the same type of negative effects on the smile that metal braces do.
Because clear braces are less visible, patients who wear them may be agreeable to a few extra weeks or months of treatment. As treatment comes to a close, patients who opt for traditional braces may pressure the orthodontist to remove the appliances prematurely because they’re weary of their “metal mouth.” When wearing clear braces, patients are less likely to be in such a rush, meaning that they are more likely to get the full benefits of their orthodontic treatment.
The clear brackets are stain-resistant, but patients should still take care to keep the devices (as well as the rest of the mouth) clean. Brush at least twice a day – perhaps more often for heavy coffee drinkers or smokers –and be a dedicated flosser, even if it means using a floss threader.
If you are considering your orthodontic options, contact Jackson Heights Orthodontics at 718.335.4444.
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