CERAMIC BRACES

Discreet, Natural Look To Transform Your Smile

ceramic braces
ceramic braces

Creating the smile of your dreams

Your cosmetic alternative to traditional braces

Ceramic braces operate functionally the same way as traditional wire braces, with one major difference: ceramic braces are made of clear ceramic material that blends in with your natural teeth. This translucent material makes this style of orthodontic treatment much less visible than metal braces, making them very popular with adults and older teens. No matter what form of orthodontic treatment our patients choose or we recommend, the result is always a transformed, bright and beautiful smile. However, there are some slight differences between these different styles of treatment that can impact your treatment experience while we’re working to create the smile of your dreams.

Benefits of Ceramic Braces

  • Offer the discreet appearance of clear aligners with the effectiveness and efficiency of traditional wire braces

  • Designed to align the teeth and resolve orthodontic problems relating to your teeth and jaw alignment

  • Correct malocclusions that not only impact the cosmetic appearance of your teeth and smile, but can also have a lasting effect on your dental health

  • Correct misalignment of the jaw, open bites and overcrowded teeth that can all have an impact on the way your teeth and jaws work together, potentially opening the door for a series of other orthodontic and dental problems over time

Parts Of Ceramic Braces

Most of the individual parts of ceramic braces are almost identical to that of traditional wire braces, with the primary difference being in the materials that make up the individual components. While metal braces are usually made of stainless steel, ceramic braces use a ceramic material that blends in naturally with your teeth and creates a more natural, discreet appearance.

Brackets are the ceramic squares that rest directly on the surface of each of your teeth. These brackets are responsible for holding the archwire in place, giving it a place to attach and put the necessary force on each tooth, adjusting them into their proper alignment.

Each bracket will connect to the archwire, which is a band that is responsible for moving the teeth into their new positions. At each visit with your orthodontist, your orthodontist will assess the strength and tightness of these wires and adjust them accordingly. These wires are often available in silver, white or frosted to blend in with the lighter-colored brackets.

Bands are metal rings that fit perfectly around the back teeth, serving as an anchor for the archwire. This supplies the tension necessary for the archwire to exert the force it needs to adjust each individual tooth into its final alignment.

To hold the archwire onto the bracket, your braces will include tiny elastics that prevent the archwire from sliding around the bracket and grinding the metal elements together. While many patients choose elastic colors that blend in with the natural color of their teeth, these elastics are incredibly customizable, allowing you to choose a variety of colors that show off your personal style if you so choose!

Depending on your individual treatment plan, your orthodontist may recommend the use of orthodontic rubber bands. These are a common feature in braces treatments intended to realign the jaw and resolve the impact of bite malocclusions. These bands will latch onto the upper and lower braces, and, with regular replacements, will apply a gentle pressure that assists in the alignment process.

Caring For Ceramic Braces

Maintaining good dental hygiene is always a must, but healthy habits are never more essential than when you are in the middle of orthodontic treatment. When you have any kind of braces, ceramic or otherwise, food particles have more places than ever to hide and create harmful bacteria that can develop into plaque and tartar buildup. When left unchecked, this can lead to tooth decay and even gum disease.

Failing to maintain proper dental hygiene during a treatment such as metal or ceramic braces can also lead to cosmetic issues, such as your teeth becoming stained/yellow in the exposed parts of the teeth, while the area covered by brackets and archwires remain white.

Thankfully, Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga is prepared with all the tips, tricks and healthy habits you need to keep your smile healthy, clean and bright all throughout your treatment.

Brushing and Flossing

When brushing and flossing with braces, it’s important to consider the new additional surfaces on your teeth that will require the same attention and care as your teeth and gums. We recommend using electric or soft-bristled toothbrushes to remove plaque buildup throughout the day and dislodge any small food particles that will manage to hide in the tiny ridges of your teeth and braces. Because ceramic braces are made of a tooth-colored material instead of stainless steel, patients who seek this form of treatment also need to take special care to clean their braces to ensure the elastic ties holding the wire to the brackets do not become discolored or stained.

Flossing is another essential part of your dental hygiene routine, especially when you are in the middle of your orthodontic treatment. It may seem like flossing becomes impossible when you have brackets and wires obstructing the teeth. Your orthodontist will provide you with special tools such as floss threaders to help you weave the floss through your braces and keep your smile clean and healthy! You may also choose to use interdental cleaners or water picks to assist with this aspect of your nightly dental care routine.

Diet and Eating Habits

Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may always be important regardless of orthodontic treatment; however, those in the midst of orthodontic treatment need to keep certain specific restrictions and habits in mind to ensure their braces maintain their proper function.

Things To Remember…

  • Certain foods and snacks are more likely to cause a buildup of plaque or food particles. Other types might even damage your braces by bending wires, popping off brackets and more. While ceramic braces are incredibly strong and durable, the material that makes up the ceramic brackets can break more easily than metal brackets if exposed to hard, sticky or gummy foods, which means that those who choose this method of orthodontic treatment need to be especially careful to avoid these types of foods.

  • Avoid sticky foods like gum (unless it’s sugar-free) and candy; hard, crunchy foods like popcorn; and brittle foods like chips, seeds and nuts.

  • Alternatives to these foods are often available, such as “puff” versions of popcorn without kernels.

  • Even when no alternatives are available, there are ways to prepare some of these foods without risking your braces, such as cutting meat off the bone, removing corn from the cob or skinning apples and cutting them into slices.

Let’s Get Started

Creating healthy, beautiful smiles through comprehensive, compassionate care.

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