Metal vs. Ceramic

[jenn773]

What are some Pros and Cons to each? if i were given the option by my orthodontist, ceramics sound preeeeetty enticing but are they really less noticeable and not just from far away distances? What's this about staining and bulkiness??

[Zoso]

It's a personal choice.

Misconceptions:
ceramics are slower - not according to my ortho
ceramics stain - they don't; but the little elastic ties that most brands need do stain

They are a little bulkier, but that's no big deal.

They are very hard - harder than tooth enamel - so some orthos won't place them on the lower teeth for fear of chipping the uppers.

[jenn773]

So I guess whichever I choose , there's a possibility of staining! and I would suppose ceramics feel better than metal on your lips and insides of your cheeks... Are the results any different from that of traditional braces?

[Zoso]

Ceramics or metal - the results should be the same.

With regard to staining - all that stains are the ties. Now either ceramics or metal can be traditionally tied, but on the other hand both ceramic and metal exist in self-ligating brackets (so no ties) too. It all depends which particular systems your doc prefers.

And, personally, I don't think there was any significant difference in comfort between ceramics and metal. But that was just me.

[BuCa *]

I'm going with metals. Most people who had ceramics said that if they had to get braces again they'd get metal. I've even seen examples of ppl who had to get braces twice & they had ceramics first - metal second.

I never really liked them but like Z said, its personal preference.

[Zoso]

You could also see if your ortho offers gold.

[jenn773]

Do you still get colored ligatures with Gold? I can't imagine I would look right in that considering I have the palest skin on earth!

[Zoso]

Yes, as far as I know the gold brackets that are on the market are traditionally tied. But on the one person I saw wearing the, they looked quite dainty. Ties can be chosen to be of a colour that blends in pretty well - you don't have to go all bold, bright and visible on the colours, regardless of whether you are in stainless, gold, or ceramic brackets.

But hey, maybe your ortho offers self-ligating brackets, if this is your greatest area of concern.