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Thinking about getting braces but dreading the metal mouth look? Clear braces might be just what you’re looking for. Here’s everything you need to know about this modern orthodontic option.
Clear braces work just like traditional metal braces, but with one big difference – they’re made from a transparent ceramic material that blends in with your natural tooth color. While they’re not completely invisible, they’re way less noticeable than their metal counterparts. Most people won’t even spot them in casual conversation.
We also offer metal braces and self-ligating braces.
Schedule a free consultation to create your custom treatment plan.
At Image Orthodontics, we are experienced in working with many types of braces.
Clear braces are the way to go if you want a more subtle solution. They are less noticeable than traditional braces.
This option is great for adults and teens. Unlike traditional braces, clear braces may require fewer rubber bands, if any, and use wires that can slide and move naturally as your teeth shift into place. Another benefit of clear braces is that they apply less pressure than traditional braces, so there’s less pain.
Getting clear braces feels pretty much the same as getting metal ones. Your orthodontist will bond the ceramic brackets to your teeth and thread a wire through them. You’ll visit every 4-6 weeks for adjustments. Most people wear them for 18-24 months, depending on what needs fixing.
Keep these bad boys clean and they’ll serve you well:
Clear braces hit the sweet spot between effectiveness and aesthetics if you’re looking to straighten your teeth without broadcasting it to the world. They cost more than metal braces but less than most clear aligner systems. Plus, you can’t “forget” to wear them like you might with removable aligners.
Remember, a confident smile is priceless – and clear braces can help you get there without feeling self-conscious along the way. Talk to our board-certified orthodontists about whether they’re the right choice for your specific situation.
The road to a straighter smile might seem long, but with modern options and proper care, you’ll be showing off your new smile before you know it. Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation with us to discuss whether braces could be your path to a confident new smile.
Schedule a free consultation with our board-certified and experienced orthodontists, who can help you determine if you are a good candidate for clear braces.
Get acquainted with your customized treatment plan.
Your orthodontist will take your teeth impressions and show you the different stages of teeth positioning via 3D imaging.
Once your treatment is complete, your clear braces will be removed simply and relatively painlessly. A retainer will then be made for your mouth, and you will wear it for a while to ensure your results are maintained.
Watch this helpful video to understand how to take care of your braces (and your smile) to ensure a healthy, successful outcome of your orthodontic treatment.
Knowing a little about the anatomy of the mouth is essential to understanding how braces successfully reposition teeth.
Your teeth are suspended inside your gum and bones and not fused into your bone. Also, your teeth are surrounded by the periodontal ligament (PDL). This is what enables your teeth to be moved.
Braces use gentle force in one direction. This force compresses the PDL on one side and stretches it on the other. On the side that is compressed, the bone reabsorbs. On the side that is being compressed, the bone grows. So, your teeth move because of simultaneous bone loss and creation.
You can eat any soft food. It’s also a good idea to cut your food into small pieces to avoid damaging your braces by biting through big chunks of food.
More importantly, you need to know WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT WITH BRACES.
– Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
– Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
– Sticky foods: caramels, gum
– Hard foods: nuts, hard pretzels
– Sugary food: candy
– Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
You’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods once your braces are removed.
The cost can vary greatly depending on your individual treatment plan.
Braces can seem to be expensive. However, if you follow your doctor’s care instructions, your new smile should last a lifetime.
This means your investment is spread out over decades, amounting to just pennies a day.
While individual cases vary, most patients will have a straighter, healthier smile with traditional braces in just 6 months to 3 years.
Some factors affecting treatment time include how closely you follow your doctor’s instructions during treatment, the type and extent of maladjustment being treated, and adherence to regular checkups.
On average, most orthodontic patients wear their braces for 2 years, although some treatments can be as short as 12 months and some as long as 3+ years.
It’s important to remember that wearing your retainers is a part of your orthodontic treatment.
Retainers help stabilize your teeth after straightening and retain their new alignment.
It’s recommended that you wear your retainer full-time for anywhere from 4-12 months following the removal of your braces. After that time, you will need to wear it at night indefinitely.
Good dental hygiene is extremely important at all times, but it’s especially important while you’re wearing braces.
That being said, we’ve found that both electric and manual toothbrushes work well. Of course, an electric toothbrush requires less work.
What really matters is that you make sure to brush all the surfaces of the teeth around the braces themselves – above and below the braces.
Additionally, we recommend using a water pick to clean between your teeth since flossing with braces can be very difficult.
Braces hurt because they are actively moving your teeth.
They can also hurt if the brackets and wires themselves come into contact with your cheeks. Eventually, after a few weeks, most people grow less sensitive to their mouths’ inner tissues.
We recommend that our patients take any painkillers before their initial and adjustment appointments. It’s easier to prevent the adjustment pain than to stop it once it’s begun.
This is a very common question, and the answer depends on the structure of your mouth and teeth and your smile goals.
We recommend you schedule a complimentary consultation with our board-certified orthodontists so they can accurately assess your current situation.
After they examine your mouth and discuss your desired outcome and expectations, they can recommend whether braces can help you achieve your goals
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child see an orthodontist for an evaluation by age 7 or 8.
Our certified and experienced orthodontists will evaluate your child’s jaw development, orofacial development, and airway function.
After a thorough exam, We recommend a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Absolutely! Braces aren’t just for kids and teens. Adults can benefit from braces as well.
Adults can explore metal braces or Invisalign. It’s never too late to get the perfect smile you’ve always wanted!
We offer a free initial consultation to help you plan your smile goals.
We’re excited you’re ready to take the first step toward your perfect, amazing smile! See you soon!
