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IMAGE 2010-11 ISSN: 2229-5658 Vol No: 11 ISSUE No: 4 45
Types of Invisible Braces
Popular types of cosmetic braces include
ceramic brackets, inside braces and clear
aligners. Ceramic braces are just like metal
braces, except that they use tooth-colored
brackets (and sometimes tooth-colored wires)
rather than metal to straighten teeth. Generally
non-staining, the tooth-colored ceramic "blends"
with your teeth, making them less noticeable
than metal, but not as "invisible" as inside braces
or clear aligners. Inside braces ó also called
inside invisible braces, lingual braces or
"iBraces" ó and clear aligners go one step
further, making treatment virtually invisible.
Each alternative has its advantages and
disadvantages.
"Ceramic, or "clear," braces are made of
composite materials that are weaker and more
brittle than metal braces. Ceramic brackets are
larger than metal brackets and require small
rubber bands, or ligatures, (or built in spring
clips on "self ligating" brackets) to hold them to
the arch wire. Because the ligatures are white or
clear, they can stain. However, staining is not a
big problem because ligatures are changed every
time you get an adjustment (generally monthly).
The "self ligatiing" clips do not require retying
with wires or elastics.
A
lso like metal braces, ceramic brackets are not
removable until treatment is completed, can
produce irritation and discomfort, and may
complicate regular tooth care, eating and
speaking.
Because they are not as strong as metal braces,
clear braces require a longer treatment time,
since your orthodontist may need to apply a
slower, more gradual force to ensure the strength
capabilities of the clear brackets are not
overtaxed. Ceramic brackets also are usually
more expensive than traditional metal brackets
(about $500 more). As a cost-saving measure,
some patients may opt to have ceramic braces
placed only on the most visible teeth ó
typically the upper teeth or just the upper center
teeth ó while using traditional metal brackets
on the remaining teeth that need straightening.
Also, there is some possibility of tooth abrasion
if the incisal edges of the upper front teeth touch
the lower ceramic brackets.
Inside braces (including such brands as 3M's
Incognito Orthodontic Braces) are attached to
the back of the teeth so they are hidden from
view. Current iBraces use scanned images of the
insides of the teeth to create special, computerdesigned
custom brackets that are attached to the
insides of the upper and sometimes lower teeth.
This makes them appealing to people who are
often in public and might feel self-conscious
about wearing clear aligners or braces with
metal or ceramic brackets/wires on the front of
their teeth. Whereas clear, removable aligners
can be misplaced or lost, thereby delaying
treatment, iBraces are fixed and not removable.
Elastics can be used with iBraces to help hasten
treatment. Such elastics are available for use
with clear aligners but are more difficult to use.
Disadvantages of iBraces include a higher cost
than traditional braces used on the front of the
teeth due to the computer customization required
to make the brackets. Since computer
manufactured iBraces represent a newer
technique, many orthodontists are not
comfortable or experienced in performing
invisible braces treatment and, therefore, shy
away from offering them as a treatment plan.
Speech, comfort, maintaining dental hygiene and
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The International Journal of Indian Dental Association, Kunnamkulam Branch. Indexed in Journals Master List of IC TM