Metal braces vs Clear braces

You know you need braces and are ready to fix your teeth, but you’re not sure which type of braces in Brooklyn, you should choose. How do you choose between traditional metal braces vs clear braces? Scantlebury Orthodontics understands that this can be a difficult choice.

After all, you can wear braces for up to two years, so your hardware will be a big part of your life. That’s why we want to help you choose by providing a guide comparing metal and clear braces.

How Do Braces Work?

Braces gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment to correct problems, including overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite, crookedness, gaps between teeth, and overcrowding.

Dr Scantlebury will examine your teeth to ensure they are healthy enough for treatment before bonding brackets to the front of each tooth using an adhesive. An archwire runs across the teeth through the brackets. Dr Scantlebury will tighten the wire to pressure your teeth to shift them. Elastic bands will add additional pressure.

What Are Metal Braces?

Traditional metal braces are made of stainless steel or titanium alloys. These are the most common braces patients wear to correct minor and major misalignment issues.

What Are Clear Braces?

Clear braces, also known as ceramic braces, feature brackets made of polycrystalline alumina instead of metal. This allows for a more invisible appearance as the brackets can be clear or match the colour of your teeth. Clear braces were made to give patients an alternative to metal braces.

Metal Braces vs Clear Braces

Metal Braces and Clear braces offer many advantages, but there are disadvantages as well.

Differences Between Metal Braces vs Clear Braces

• Hardware

As mentioned above, metal braces are made of stainless steel or titanium alloys. The hardware is visible, but the brackets are small. Clear braces feature bigger brackets that will cover more of your tooth surface. But because they are made from polycrystalline alumina, they will be clear or tooth-coloured, making them less visible. The archwire can also be less visible.

• Length of Treatment

Traditional metal braces take one to three years to complete, whereas ceramic braces take longer, at least a year and a half to three years. If you want your treatment quicker, traditional metal braces are the way to go.

• Durability

There is a major difference in the durability of both treatments because of the material from which the brackets are made. Metal braces are stronger and last longer because they are metal. Clear braces are more vulnerable to damage, so you must be even more careful about what you eat and how you clean your teeth.

• Staining

Speaking of eating, clear braces are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks such as red sauce and red wine. Metal braces, on the other hand, do not stain. That means no additional restrictions on top of the dietary restrictions that you already have to follow.

• Enamel Wear

Clear braces increase the risk of enamel wear because the brackets are bigger. This also makes it harder to clean your teeth so it’s possible the part of your tooth that was covered will be a noticeably less bright shade. The smaller brackets of metal braces make cleaning much easier, thus reducing the risk of enamel wear.

• Cost

The cost of traditional metal braces is less expensive than clear braces. Metal braces cost $3,000 to $7,000, while clear braces cost between $4,000 to $8,000. Of course, several factors will determine the final price, including the severity of your problem, location, length of treatment, and the experience level of your orthodontist. Scantlebury Orthodontics offers low monthly payment plans that fit any budget.

However, dental insurance at least covers part of the cost of either treatment, which can save you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. We will even help you file insurance claims!

Reasons To Choose Metal Braces

Metal braces offer strength and effectiveness at a lower cost, and you could spend less time wearing them. Their durability makes them the best choice for athletes and patients who want braces treatment without as many risks or restrictions. The only drawback of metal braces is that they are visible, so they may not be for you if you are self-conscious about your appearance.

Reasons To Choose Clear Braces

Clear braces offer less strength and durability but give patients an alternative that won’t be nearly as visible as metal braces would be. Even the archwire of clear braces can be clear or naturally tooth-coloured. They come at a higher cost and may lengthen treatment time while posing minor risks to your tooth enamel that require additional dietary restrictions and cleaning attention. However, if your appearance matters more, clear braces are your best choice.

An Alternative To Metal Braces Vs Clear Braces

If you are still not sure about which type of braces to choose, you do have another alternative to consider. Scantlebury Orthodontics offers Invisalign, a series of clear removable aligners that work the same way as braces but without the hardware or the restrictions.

The aligners are made with medical-grade plastic and are custom-made for your teeth. They are clear, making them virtually invisible to others, and they are easier to clean, and you can eat whatever you want because they are removable. Invisalign also costs around the same as braces and has a similar or even shorter length of treatment compared to metal braces.

Contact Scantlebury Orthodontics Today!

If you need treatment to fix your teeth to have the smile you have always wanted finally, Scantlebury Orthodontics offers metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign. A complimentary consultation will help you and Dr Scantlebury determine which treatment is right for you. We proudly serve Brooklyn and surrounding communities in New York. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about braces, call our office at 718-962-0637 today!