Metal vs. Ceramic Braces

[maddiecat09]

Hey Everyone!
I'm new here, and about to get braces in June! I'm wondering if I can get some help with a question.. I guess it's more of an opinion question than anything!
I'm 25 years old. I'm getting married in June of 2010. I need braces.
Now the big dilemma.....

Metal. Or Ceramic.


I totally would love ceramic, cause you wouldnt be able to see them for the wedding (well except for the wire, but I don't care about that). BUT theyre more expensive, I hear they break more often and stain, AND they will take 6 months longer than metal.
However, the orthodonitsts' assistant that I spoke with the other day during my records, said that the orthodontist would take off my braces for my wedding at no extra cost..... awesome, right? But then after my wedding I'd have to sit there for 2 hours and let her put them back on, and it may lengthen treatment time. Also, I'm a little worried about how i'll look with metal braces..



So my question is... what is your experience with metal, or your experience with ceramic? And what would you do in my shoes? Keep in mind, I'm 25, and I don't really see many people my age with metal braces.
Any help at all would be wonderful...
Thank you so much!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome to this forum Maddie ... and congrats on starting your treatment and soon getting married ... exciting times!

I totally would love ceramic, cause you wouldnt be able to see them for the wedding (well except for the wire, but I don't care about that). BUT theyre more expensive, I hear they break more often and stain, AND they will take 6 months longer than metal.

Some ortho's do charge more for ceramic braces, but if you believe this will make your treatment easier ... then it's money worth spending. Ceramic brackets should not break more often, as the ceramic is very hard and therefore less likely to break under normal circumstances.

Ceramic brackets do not stain ... and never have! The ligatures used with ceramic and metal brackets can stain ... but it's not connected in any way to the bracket being ceramic. There are options with regard to the staining, for example ... darker colour ligs don't stain, silver shows stains less than clear or tooth coloured, and it's still quite discreet. Many ortho's offer wire ties as an alternative to ligs and these don't stain. Some wire ties have a teflon coating, which is white ... and it doesn't stain. Some ortho's allow for patients to come in for a lig change between adjustments, if they've eaten something that has stained their ligs. These are all questions you need to ask your ortho ... and remember these are the same ligs ... whether you have ceramic or metal brackets.

Treatment should not be lengthened by using ceramic brackets, not by even one day ... that's why many ortho's mix ceramic and metal on the same arch ... as the brackets are just a tool to hold the archwire. It's the archwire that moves your teeth and does the work. I'm not sure why this old tale is still going round ... I guess a marketing company keeps reviving it, to affect the sales of totally ceramic brackets.

However, the orthodonitsts' assistant that I spoke with the other day during my records, said that the orthodontist would take off my braces for my wedding at no extra cost..... awesome, right? But then after my wedding I'd have to sit there for 2 hours and let her put them back on, and it may lengthen treatment time. Also, I'm a little worried about how i'll look with metal braces..

This is an option that some people take when getting married and it can work out well. Some ortho's will make a simple clear retainer that can be worn during the time your teeth are free, to limit movement, but this depends on how long it will be before you have the brackets put back on. Of course having your brackets removed may lengthen treatment, but probably not by long ... you'll need to talk to your orthodontist about that one.

what is your experience with metal, or your experience with ceramic? And what would you do in my shoes? Keep in mind, I'm 25, and I don't really see many people my age with metal braces.

I've had both ceramic and metal ... and still have one ceramic bracket. The ceramic brackets were smoother on my cheeks and most people never new I had them ... including my husband. The metal brackets I now have are fine ... they were more pokey to begin with, but I'm used to them now and after a few months I forgot I have them. They're much more noticeable, but I was over that a few months after I got them.

In your shoes ... well I'd do whatever will make you feel happiest! Please don't listen to the 'old tales' of woe about ceramic brackets. They'd not be so popular if they delayed treatment etc ... as no one would want them. Where I work, all patients are offered the upper six free of charge ... and nearly all our patients have them.

Good luck with your decisions!

[Bunny]

I have top and bottom ceramic braces. Ceramic at the front and metal at the back. My Ortho said there is no difference in treatments time if you have metal or not. The ceramic are hardly noticeable and less scratchy than my metal brackets. Good luck! xx

[Sunny]

Sounds like you have a very experienced and wise ortho Bunny!