“Advancements in braces make the old style ‘train tracks’ a thing of the past”
If you think there is only one type of metal teeth brace, you’re in for a surprise.
Yes, traditional fixed braces are still around and are probably the best option if you want cheap metal braces. But there are other styles to consider that offer different pros and cons. We can help explain these options at your initial appointment.
Although not as popular as some of the less obvious alternatives, metal braces are still used for the majority of orthodontic treatment . They are less expensive than ceramic or custom metal brackets and are comfortable to wear, they are a great option for children as they can be customised with different colours making them a little bit fun as well!
A fixed appliance is the most common type of orthodontic brace. Most patients require the use of fixed orthodontic appliances to straighten their teeth and achieve the best possible improvement of their smile. As there are a few stages we go through to put your braces on, this will mean you may need to have more than one appointment. They can be used either after or at the same time as removable braces or functional braces. We tend to find that a fair number of patients benefit from more then one type of brace although most will have fixed braces.
A thin archwire is fitted to link up all the brackets. Because the teeth are irregular, the wire has to bend up and down or in and out between the teeth. This is the clever bit: the wire, a bi-product of NASA research, has perfect shape memory and will gradually return to its original shape, bringing the teeth with it. As treatment progresses, larger size wires and other wire materials are used. At this time, tiny springs and elastics guide the teeth.
Ceramic braces are much less obvious than traditional fixed metal braces because the brackets are made of a hard, polished ceramic. This ceramic blends in with the colour of your teeth and doesn’t stain, providing a discreet treatment option if you’re self-conscious about having orthodontic treatment. In some instances, it may be possible to consider an aesthetic wire to further reduce the visual impact of the ceramic braces. There are several types of ceramic brackets. A clear ceramic bracket with glass-like appearance allows your natural tooth colour to show through. Ceramic brackets are cemented to the teeth in the same way as metal brackets and with improved modern design they are now easily removed.
Ceramic braces are also one of the more affordable treatment options, making them extremely popular with our adult patients.
With fixed braces, there is no plastic in the roof of the mouth. This means speech is unaffected and the flavour of food can be enjoyed fully. As the appliance cannot be removed, it acts full-time, and so it is very effective.
Fixed braces are very good at achieving fine detail, and making your smile look really perfect! Fixed appliances, by definition, cannot be removed by the patient. The simplest way to think of each bracket is as a handle with which it is possible to control each tooth individually and precisely. After a full clinical assessment, we will advise if fixed braces are best for your teeth.
Self-Ligating brackets have a self-locking attachment, which makes the brackets friction and ligature free. This holds the wire in place and has a great effect on the movement of the teeth, shortening length of treatment time significantly and reducing the number of visits.
At 1A Orthodontics, we use the Damon self-ligating brace system. The Damon System is not just about revolutionary braces and wires; it’s a whole new way of treating patients.
The Damon System is centred on passive self-ligating braces. These eliminate the need for elastic or metal “ties”, which means you can experience treatment without tightening. Instead, the sliding mechanism in the braces, which is used to hold the arch wires in place, responds to the movement of your teeth, gently guiding them into position. The light, high-technology, shape-memory wires used in Damon self-ligating braces also move teeth faster and require fewer adjustments.
We very much appreciate that investing in your new Invisalign® smile is an important decision and we are pleased to provide finance payment facilities to help you spread the cost of your new smile here at 1A Orthodontics.
