Close up Profile View of an Orthodontic Bracket showing the Rectangular Slot which holds the Orthodontic Wire.

Moderns braces are small, smooth, and much more comfortable to wear than older bulkier designs. These braces are cast stainless steel. Each is individually checked with a micrometer to help ensure accurate slot dimensions. Courtesy Specialty Orthodontics of Chicago, IL.

Modern Low Profile Orthodontic Braces from Ortho Specialties. These Braces are Cast Construction, and each is individually checked with a micrometer to help ensure consistent quality and excellent clinical results.

Modern Ceramic Clear Braces. The small colored dots are temporary to help orient and position the bracket and are then immediately removed.

More Clear Ceramic Braces.  These Braces are made by a different manufacturer and have a slightly different  shape and translucency than the preceding example. Which is better is a matter of preference.

Close up view of the two upper incisor Clear Braces.

Clear Ceramic Braces are placed on the front of the teeth like traditional metal Braces, but they are less visible than the metal brackets.  The clear brackets can be a good option for those who would be self-conscious with metal brackets.  

There are some disadvantages of Clear Ceramic Braces. The disadvantages of Clear Ceramic Braces include:   The Clear Ceramic Braces may stain with certain foods and beverages such as coffee.  Discolored Clear Braces may be look less cosmetic than shiny metal braces.   Clear Ceramic braces tend to be more fragile than traditional metal braces.  They may come off more easily and require additional orthodontic appointments.  If Clear Ceramic Braces are placed on the lower teeth, the upper teeth can sometimes accidentally sheer off the lower Braces with the force of biting down, depending on the position of the teeth.  For this reason, sometimes Clear Braces are used on the upper teeth and traditional metal braces on the lower teeth.  Your Orthodontist will need to explain for you whether this an option after examining your bite.

Clear Ceramic Braces may lengthen the treatment time.  Because the clear brackets are more fragile, the force of the wires used to move the teeth may need to be less and to move the teeth more gradually.  Otherwise the Clear Braces may separate or fracture off the tooth. The cost of Clear Braces is usually more than with traditional metal braces.

Other options to consider are Invisalign clear removable aligners and Invisible Braces or " iBraces " which are metal brackets attached to the back of the teeth and are therefore hidden Braces.  

Separated Bracket.

Braces will sometimes come loose.  Two common factors include biting down on hard foods, or being bumped during sports activities.

Bracket Separations, also often called " Broken Brackets", are probably the most frequent "Emergency". It is not really an Emergency in the medical sense, but most Orthodontists want to put your mind at ease and make sure you are comfortable. One should call the Orthodontic Office and ask the Staff or Doctor for guidance on what to do. Most Orthodontists provide new patients with a small " Emergency Orthodontic First Aid Kit ".  See the second Caption below for a picture and  more details.

Clear Ceramic Braces can experience separation from the tooth just like metal Braces.

This small case contains all the "Orthodontic Emergency" items usually needed to temporarily get a patient out of discomfort. Items include soft wax, a small mouth mirror, floss, etc. for their Braces.

Braces can assume many Colors depending on the color of the elastic used. This person chose Gold.

Braces can receive many colors, even combinations of colors, depending on what colors are chosen for the elastics.

The upper power chain is new and unused. The stretched power chain below was in the mouth for three weeks before being removed and replaced. Note how stretched it now is and how it has lost its elasticity.

We have come a long way since the 1960’s.  Now a days Braces come in mini sizes and the small metal bands that wrap all the way around the tooth are usually only on the back teeth. There is a lot less “Heavy Metal”.   The wire that sits in the bracket applies pressure to move the teeth and this can sometimes cause some discomfort.  Usually Advil or Tylenol will help.  You may want to take these 30 minutes before your appointment if you anticipate a problem as per your discussions with your orthodontist.   Sometimes a bracket or wire may be poking the inside of your cheek or lip.  Be sure your Orthodontist gives you plenty of wax.  A small piece can help to cover these “pokies” until you can come in to have the wire clipped.

Teeth are first prepared for the Braces with surface etching and bonding films.

Many orthodontic chemical bonding systems require that a blue curing light be first used on the prepared tooth surface before the Braces are actually attached.

Actual Braces are placed on the teeth and a blue LED Curing Light is used to make the adhesive cure and harden within seconds.

The bright colors you see on Braces are actually small colored elastics that hold the wire in the brackets.  They come in a rainbow of colors, although with time constraints many offices will limit you to two colors per visit.  The colors can be changed through-out treatment.  Some will get school colors for football games, orange and black for Halloween, red and green at Christmas, etc.  Choosing colors is one of the fun parts of the orthodontic visits!

If this happens, please call your Orthodontist for an appointment for an impression to make a new retainer as soon as possible.  You don’t want your teeth to shift after all the investment in time and effort to achieve your great smile.  For future reference, the most common place to lose your retainer is on the lunch room tray.  Always keep your retainer case handy and do not wrap your retainer in a napkin.  It is too easy to forget and send your retainer to the great retainer graveyard in the sky.  If you have a dog, make sure you keep your retainer in its case on your nightstand.  For some reason, dogs are attracted to the smell of your old retainer (Go Figure !)  Maybe the dog is just jealous of your beautiful smile !            

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