It might sound strange to say, but now is the best time to be alive if you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth. Why? Because patients have so many effective options for straightening them! While the most popular tend to be metal braces or Invisalign, an often-overlooked treatment is clear/ceramic braces in Westerville. These offer a few unique benefits that you just can’t get with other treatments, and to help you learn a little more about them, the team at Shirck Orthodontics has answered some of our most popular questions about them below!
What are clear/ceramic braces?
Clear/ceramic braces use a system of brackets and wires to shift the teeth just like regular metal ones, but instead of stainless steel, they are made of a see-through ceramic material. Basically, they use the same reliable method as metal braces to straighten the teeth, but they have a much more subtle appearance that blends into the smile.
How are clear/ceramic braces different from metal braces?
Compared to metal braces, clear/ceramic braces have much shallower (flatter) brackets, making them more comfortable against the lips and cheeks, and the elastics are usually transparent or tooth-colored as well. The end result is an appliance that is virtually unnoticeable to other people.
Are clear/ceramic braces similar to Invisalign?
Yes and no. Yes in that clear/ceramic braces and Invisalign are both treatments designed to straighten the teeth while being more discreet than metal braces, but they use different methods. While clear/ceramic braces rely on brackets and wires, Invisalign utilizes a series of progressive aligner trays.
What are the advantages of clear/ceramic braces vs. Invisalign
Clear/ceramic braces are able to correct more complicated teeth and bite alignment problems compared to Invisalign. They are also a better choice for patients who might have an issue wearing their trays as instructed. Clear/ceramic braces are fixed to the teeth, so once we place them, they will stay there throughout the treatment, making them easier to keep up with.
Do clear/ceramic braces cost more than Invisalign or metal braces?
At most other practices, this is probably the case, but at Shirk Orthodontics, patients can get clear/ceramic braces for the same price as metal braces or Invisalign. This consistent pricing makes it easy for our patients to choose the treatment that best suits them while still staying on budget.
Our practice has already used clear/ceramic braces to help countless children and adults achieve the beautifully straight smiles they deserve, and we’re ready to do the same for you! If you’d like to learn more about clear/ceramic braces, we invite you to schedule a FREE in-person consultation at Shirck Orthodontics in Westerville by clicking here.
About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is an award-winning orthodontist, Elite Invisalign Provider, and proud father of three. He has been voted as one of Columbus’ Top Orthodontists every year since 2011. He and his team take pride in being able to serve patients of all ages using the latest orthodontic methods and technology, and he continues to complete advanced training every year.