Types of Braces
1. Metal with ligature
- Most common, popular
- Appropriate for most type of
treatment
- Uses rubber-band (ligature)
to hold the arch wire
- Pros: least expensive
- Cons:
- more visible than
ceramic
- less comfortable
- less hygienic, ligature
traps food particles
- longer treatment time
2. Ceramic
- Type of braces Tom Cruise
had
- Clear made of ceramic (porcelein)
or polycarbonate (plastic)
- Teflon coated or fibre glass
archwire (less flexible, do not
move teeth readily)
- Ceramic - will not stain
- Polycarbonate - will stain
and wear off
- It's the ligature that
stains, not the brackets!
- Pros: blend in with most
teeth, not very visible
- Cons:
- Rubber band can stain
which defects aesthetics
- More expensive
3. Self- Ligating (Self-Locking)
- Do not need rubber bands to
hold the archwire onto the
brackets
- Sliding door technique : the
brackets allow the wire to slide
back and forth - fewer
adjustment and less appointments
- Pros:
- Less food gets trapped
- no staining problem
- fewer visits
- shorter treatment time
than non self-ligating
- Cons: more costly
4. Lingual braces
- Placed behind teeth
- Metal brackets
- Pros: not noticeable
- Cons:
- hurt tongue, difficult
to speak initially
- more expensive because
treatment is specialized
- longer treatment than
traditional brackets
5. Invisalign
- good for people with bite
not severely off or teeth not
severely crooked
- Aligners are numbered and
worn for two weeks each
- computer simulation during
each treatment showing how your
teeth will move and the
projected final outcome
- strong plastic trays
specially fabricated to suit
each patient
- Pros:
- virtually invisible
- easier to clean and
maintain
- no irritation to gums
- no need for dental wax
- do not stain
- Cons:
- More costly
- may need traditional
braces for a few months
before or after invisalign
treatment
- need excellent
compliance
- 12
weeks for aligners to
arrive from factory. May
need more aligners (enhancements)
after the original set
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