Here we’re going to walk through the different styles of braces and count down the five most important types, along with their pros and cons. Oral braces have been the go-to solution for correcting misalignment for many decades and continue to be a powerful tool for addressing severe misalignment.
However, with astonishing advancement in orthodontic technology, people now have more options to choose from. To assist you in making a more informed decision, we have created this article, which provides an overview of the most common tooth braces and outlines their prospective pros and cons.
The first Types of Orthodontic Braces: Metal Braces
The first spot in our list of different styles of braces goes to metal braces. They consist of brackets, archwires, and elastic bands, all made of high-grade stainless steel. These components work together to shift teeth into the desired position by applying a gentle pressure on them.
Although metal braces aren’t as inconspicuous as other types, they remain a popular option due to their effectiveness and affordability.
Let’s count down their pros and cons together:
Pros:
- Durable: These kinds of dental braces consist of high-grade steel—the strongest material—which can easily withstand the pressure of shifting teeth without breaking or bending.
- Customizable: You can customize the look of your braces by choosing colorful elastic bands for the brackets.
- Effectiveness: These types of braces are the most effective solution for correcting the severe misalignment and complex orthodontic issues.
Cons:
- Discomfort: Metal braces can cause some sort of soreness, irritation, and ulcers, particularly during the first few weeks of use.
- Food Restrictions: Certain foods—chewy, sticky, and hard ones, such as hard candies, popcorn, and nuts—should be avoided, as they can damage the braces and get stuck in the wires.
- Require frequent adjustment: Another disadvantage of these types of oral braces is the need for frequent adjustments by your orthodontist. This is because they’re designed to apply gentle pressure on teeth to move them into the desired position. As they begin to shift, the braces need to be tightened to ensure a constant pressure on them.
Different Styles of Braces: Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are the other type of metal braces. Their functionality is the same as traditional braces, but they consist of tooth-colored materials, making them less visible compared to their counterparts. Like metal braces, they consist of brackets, wires, and elastics to push teeth into the desired position by applying gentle pressure. Let’s list their pros and cons together.
Pros:
- Aesthetic appeal: Because ceramic braces are less visible, making them more popular among teenagers and adults who are concerned about their appearance and don’t like the look of traditional braces.
- Comfortable: For those who are allergic to metal, ceramic braces can be the best option. Moreover, compared to metal braces, ceramic ones cause less irritation or discomfort, as their brackets are smoother and rounded, reducing the risk of friction or abrasion on cheeks and gums.
- Effective option: Like metal braces, ceramic braces are effective at correcting severe misalignment.
Cons:
- Costly: Ceramic materials are more expensive than the metal used in traditional braces, as their manufacturing process is more complex and time-consuming, which affects their price.
- Prone to breakage: The ceramic or composite materials used in ceramic braces are more brittle and prone to cracking and chipping.
- Require high maintenance: The elastic bands used in ceramic braces can stain and discolor over time, requiring high maintenance and frequent replacement to maintain their appearance.
Different Types of Braces: Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating dental braces are types of dental braces that consist of brackets with built-in clips instead of elastic bands to hold the archwire in place. These teeth braces types are designed to reduce friction and discomfort, allowing for more efficient teeth movement. They can be made of metal or clear materials and are becoming an increasingly popular option. Now, it’s time to consider pros and cons.
Pros:
- Less friction and more comfort: Due to the lack of elastic bands, these types of oral braces apply less pressure and cause less soreness on cheeks and gums.
- Easy to maintain: Thanks to the absence of elastic bands, there’s no need for frequent adjustments, so patients are less bothered by visits to their orthodontist. Moreover, these dental clip types are easier to clean than metal braces, as they have fewer parts and crevices.
- Faster treatment time: Self-ligating braces don’t use elastic bands and are designed with a unique sliding mechanism, allowing the archwire to move freely and pushing the teeth into the desired position swiftly.
- Less visible: These types of teeth braces can be made of clear materials, making them an ideal option for those who don’t like the look of traditional braces.
Cons:
- Costly: Self-ligating braces are more expensive than ceramic and metal braces due to their advanced technology and specialized manufacturing process.
- Not effective for severe misalignment and bite issues: These dental clip types are not an effective solution for severe misalignment or bite issues, as they can’t provide enough pressure on teeth to push them into the desired position. For severe cases, metal or ceramic braces are the best options.
Different kinds of braces: Lingual Braces
Looking for different types of teeth braces? Lingual dental braces are an option to align the teeth. They use brackets and wires attached to the back of the teeth instead of the front. This mechanism makes them virtually invisible, making them a very popular choice for those who seek the benefits of braces but don’t want them to be visible.
Now, it’s time to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Aesthetic appeal: Because lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth, they shift teeth into the desired position while remaining virtually invisible.
- More precise fit: These types of braces are customized to fit the unique contours of a patient’s teeth, allowing for a more precise and comfortable fit.
Cons:
- Difficult to maintain oral hygiene: Since these braces are located at the back of the teeth, making proper oral hygiene becomes a real challenge. Brushing and flossing are difficult, which can lead to the buildup of food particles around the braces, increasing the risk of cavities.
- Discomfort and soreness: Due to the location of these types of braces, they can cause discomfort and soreness on the tongue and inside of the mouth.
- Costly: These kinds of dental braces are expensive, as they require unique customization to fit each patient’s teeth contours.
Different kinds of Braces: Clear Aligners
Still looking for different types of dental braces? Our list isn’t finished yet. We have another popular option, clear aligners, like Invisalign, the popular alternatives to traditional braces that effectively correct mild to moderate dental misalignment. These types of oral braces consist of clear, custom-made, special plastic designed to gradually shift the teeth into the correct position.
Pros:
- Discreet appearance: Since they’re made of clear plastic, Invisalign braces are virtually invisible, and people, particularly from a distance, can hardly notice that you have braces on your teeth.
- Removable: Unlike braces that are fixed to the teeth, Invisalign aligners are removable. You can take them out when eating, drinking (like coffee), brushing, and flossing. This eliminates the need for a special diet and makes maintaining good oral hygiene easier.
- Comfortable: Due to the lack of sharp brackets and wires, Invisalign won’t cause discomfort or soreness.
Cons:
- Not a suitable option for severe and more complex dental issues: Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are most effective for treating mild to moderate misalignments by applying gentle pressure on the teeth and forcing them to move into the desired position. The trays should be worn for around 2 weeks, after which they need to be replaced with a new set. However, they aren’t an ideal solution for severe misalignments or complex dental issues.
- Costly: Clear, customized aligners, like Invisalign, are designed based on each patient’s unique shape of teeth and mouth, which requires advanced technology, increasing the price. Additionally, the clear trays are made of high-quality, medical-grade plastic, which naturally adds to the cost.
Last Remark
When it comes to different styles of braces, a patient’s preference, the severity of misalignments, and budget all play a role in determining which orthodontic bracket types are the best choice. However, your orthodontist is the most reliable guide to help you find the best types of braces that perfectly match your unique needs.
Considering teeth straightening? Contact us at York Orthodontics. We’ll set the appointment based on your schedule time and offer flexible payment plans—such as weekly or monthly installments. At York Orthodontics, our goal is to provide a healthy smile for our community without pushing a financial burden on their shoulders.
