Ceramic Braces in the North Shore Area
At New England Orthodontic Specialists, we offer many safe and effective alternatives to traditional metal braces. For patients in Beverly, Salem, South Hamilton, and Topsfield who are concerned with aesthetics, we may recommend ceramic braces.
Less-Noticeable Than Metal Braces
Our clear braces are designed to be less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. They're smaller than ever and made of nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material.
Clear braces are also referred to as ceramic braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces, and they work the same way metal braces do. Ceramic braces are exceptionally popular among adult patients and teenagers.
These ceramic options blend in well with your natural smile. Though they're not completely invisible, and the brackets are about the same size and shape, they're much less noticeable than metal braces.
We use 3M Clarity Advanced ceramic braces, which feature a comfortable low profile design. The transparent and stain-resistant material lets your natural smile shine through.
Ceramic braces offer patients a discreet treatment option, but they can sometimes be slightly more fragile and more expensive than metal braces. Because of this, Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil typically recommend them for older teen and adult patients.
Blend In With Clear Braces
Ceramic brackets are a less obvious way to straighten your smile when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties. This option is especially attractive if you're an esthetic-minded adult or teen.
Ceramic braces are perfect if you want an aesthetic treatment option but don't want the extra hassle of removable aligners and the responsibility of wear time.
Even though most of our New England Orthodontic Specialists patients in ceramic braces love how discrete they are, we do have some teens and adults who like to use colored ligature ties.
This gives braces an almost neon look. The colors pop off the clear brackets, creating a really unique look most people haven't seen before.
The Difference Between Traditional and Ceramic Braces
In short, the only major difference between traditional and ceramic braces is the material. Traditional braces are made with metal brackets and use a metal wire. As the name suggests, ceramic braces are made with ceramic materials such as porcelain or zirconia.
Traditional and ceramic braces both operate in the same way, by tightening" the wire throughout treatment. Both types of braces also use elastic bands, which attach the wire to the brackets. Since the process is the same, the treatment times are similar.
However, ceramic brackets are much more discrete than metal ones because they're clear and blend in with your teeth. Ceramic braces can also be equipped with transparent wires to make the appliance even less noticeable. On top of that, the elastic bands can also be clear or tooth-colored.
You may be worried about clear braces staining, but this isn't an issue with the high-quality 3M Clarity ceramic brackets we use. The actual ceramic brackets will never stain, unlike the elastic bands.
You can choose to avoid things like coffee and tea, red wine, tomatoes, mustard, etc. to cut back on the chance of any staining. This isn't necessary since we change your elastics at every adjustment appointment.
As long as you maintain a good oral hygiene routine and follow the treatment plan put in place by Dr. Diana or Dr. Neil, you shouldn't have to worry too much about giving up your morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine.
Benefits of Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces have many benefits over traditional braces, some of which include:
- Better aesthetics: Your brackets, wires, and elastic bands will be much less noticeable than their metal counterparts.
- Smaller brackets: Ceramic braces also include smaller brackets, which can improve the appearance of your appliance. Smaller brackets can also be more comfortable, causing less friction on the inside of your cheeks and lips. They also make it easier to keep your teeth clean.
- Comparable results: Ceramic braces can be just as effective as traditional ones, depending on the type of issue that needs correcting. Other aesthetic appliances, such as clear aligner trays, may be more discrete, but they can also be less effective. Ceramic braces are a good middle ground for patients who want optimal results and a discreet appliance.
- Easy removal: Ceramic braces are easy to remove once your treatment is complete. The type of bonding agent we use also minimizes the possibility of damaging your enamel both during treatment and the removal process.
Cost of Ceramic Braces
One of the biggest factors that affect your treatment cost will be the materials used to make your braces.
In our Beverly, Salem, South Hamilton, and Topsfield offices, ceramic brackets cost a little more than metal brackets.
The good news is, we offer flexible payment plans, automatic bank drafts, and we will also check with your insurance company for orthodontic benefits. Our goal is to provide outstanding value for reasonable fees!
Treatment fees will vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil will determine a treatment fee that fits your specific orthodontic needs, and our office will do everything we can to accommodate you and your budget.
The work it takes to put your braces on, adjust them, and take them off must also be factored into the total treatment cost. Placing and removing ceramic braces are more sensitive to technique and requires more time.
Our treatment coordinators will be happy to go over the cost with you at your first free consultation.
Best for Adults
After a thorough orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Diana or Dr. Neil, we can determine which treatment option will be best for you and your smile.
At New England Orthodontic Specialists, we think ceramic braces are generally better suited to adults and older teens. This is because ceramic brackets are more likely to break, and they're more expensive than metal brackets.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Diana and Dr. Neil at our Beverly, Salem, South Hamilton, and Topsfield offices to learn if clear braces may be right for you.