Braces!!!

[peanutdurof]

Well I just got spacers today. I think I will be getting the normal brackets since I heard that the ceramic braces stain and they take a longer time than normal braces. What colors do you think I should get? Are there any colors that make them less noticeable?

[Sunny]

Great your treatment has started! I hope you're finding the spacers are okay, but if they're uncomfortable, warm salt water rinses should soothe your mouth and keep it healthy.

I think I will be getting the normal brackets since I heard that the ceramic braces stain and they take a longer time than normal braces.

Ceramic brackets do not stain. the ligatures used around brackets can stain, but these ligatures are the same for ceramic, metal and gold brackets. Brackets do not move teeth, and therefore can not make treatment shorter or longer. Teeth are moved by the archwires and also our teeth are individual and some will move faster (or slower) than others.

peanutdurof you choose whichever brackets you feel will make you feel the most comfortable and the same with the colour of ligs. The lighter the colour, the higher the risk of staining and the more obvious they'll appear to you. For people who want the most discreet option, we offer ceramic brackets with white teflon coated wire tires. These white wire ties, do not stain or chip.

All the best with your treatment!

[18daystobrace]

My ortho told me the new self legation ceramic braces by GAC In-Ovation Braces does not stain because it does not have the ligatures used around brackets.

Also the friction between the wire and bracket is as less as the metal bracket. I had a close look at both brackets on a demo teeth. The size looks 99% identical between the metal and ceramic. Beware the ceramic looks much more pleasing!! The ceramic does take a little longer than metal, about 1/18 to 2/18 treatment longer.

In the end I choose metal because it has been proven it self over the years plus it is $350 cheaper. If the price was the same I would choose ceramic.

Interestingly I have my braces on the same day without mention of spacers. The ortho did mention about spacers being put on the same day the brackets went on. Maybe it is some secret techique. He did win the ortho research prize many years ago.

[mariahfromchicago]

choose whatever colours you like (have fun with vibrant colours if you want).
Get ceramics if you want less noticeable, but hey it doesn't take any longer than the normal ones. (Ceramics don't stain, but the clear ligs do, but you can choose colours even with ceramics) ceramics might cost more though.
The least noticeable are clear, white, light blue, grey.
- mariah

[Sunny]

Originally Posted by 18daystobrace

Interestingly I have my braces on the same day without mention of spacers. The ortho did mention about spacers being put on the same day the brackets went on. Maybe it is some secret techique. He did win the ortho research prize many years ago.

18 many orthodontist's no longer use molar bands, and therefore don't need to use spacers. Instead they use buccal molar brackets, which are attached to the libial side of the tooth, and have a tube for the archwire to rest in. Plus most have a hook attached as standard.

Some ortho's who still use molar bands, and therefore spacers, may put the molar bands on after the initial banding days. Other's work the other way round and put the molar bands on first, then do the banding a few weeks later. It's all about the personal preference of the orthodontist you've chosen to do your treatment.

Molar band


Buccal molar bracket

[mariahfromchicago]

sunny do all molar bands have hooks on them?
- mariah

[Sunny]

I don't know the answer to that one Mariah.

I've never seen a molar band, or buccal molar bracket without a hook, but it's quite possible that some brands make both types. The reason they usually have hooks, is that many elastic configerations include using the first and/or second molars. Not every person who has orthodontic treatment will need to wear elastics, but I think the figure is nearly as high as 75%, so it does make it worthwhile (financially) for the companies making brackets, to include hooks on the most usual ones ... like canine brackets and molar brackets.

[Zoso]

Actually the bands themselves can come with absolutely nothing attached - literally just a band of metal that's specially shaped to fit snugly around the tooth, and to be used to attached whatever is required. However, of course many come with the buccal tubes pre-welded to them, and frequently also with seating lugs on the lingual side. The tubes (be they welded to bands or be they the type that can be directly bonded to the tooth) do seem generally to have the hooks for elastics, and some also have a second "auxiliary tube" also attached, for use with things such as headgear.