3 Options For Patients That Don't Want Their Braces To Be Noticeable

Dentist Blog

If you didn't undergo orthodontic treatment as a preteen or teen, you may want to get braces as an adult. While many adult patients look forward to correcting their bite, they aren't keen on having noticeable dental hardware. Thankfully, there are some options to consider that are more inconspicuous.

1. Invisalign

These braces are the best option when it comes to braces that aren't noticeable. Unlike traditional braces, which have brackets and wires, Invisalign braces are made out of clear plastic. When you put these trays in, no one will be able to tell the difference unless they look carefully. Invisalign often works well for adult patients because they can be more responsible than kids when it comes to care. You have to remember to take the trays out for eating and brushing and remember to put them back in afterward.

The downside is that these braces only work for those that need minimum bite correction. If you are determined to go this route and have severely crooked teeth, you could start off with traditional braces, then ease into the braces once your bite has improved a bit.

2. Ceramic Braces or Clear Braces

Porcelain braces, or clear braces, look very similar to traditional braces since they also have metal wires. However, the brackets aren't made out of metal; they are made out of ceramic compounds or porcelain. The brackets are either clear or colored to match your teeth. Some people choose to get frosted arch wires — this extra coating on the metal wires makes them less noticeable.

The downside of ceramic braces is that they sometimes can cost much more than other options. However, you may be able to reduce the cost if you have dental insurance. Besides the cost, these clear braces may not be able to be used for people with severe overbites. The ceramic can wear down the tips of your upper teeth if they come into contact with the brackets.

3. Lingual Braces

While many braces are adhered to the front of teeth, lingual braces are attached to the back. This means that you won't be able to see these braces at all unless you tilt your head up. Lingual braces are also easier to adapt to because they don't rub your cheeks raw.

The big downside is that these braces can be harder to clean since you cannot easily see them or brush/floss them. However, you dentist can give you a special toothbrush with a narrow tip so that cleaning is easier.

While there are many pros and cons to weigh, there are definitely options out there is you want braces that aren't noticeable. For more information, contact a company like Brian Smith Orthodontics today!

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