Do you wish that you'd gotten clear instead of metal (or vice-versa)?

[katie1018]

Hi all,

When I got my braces I had a choice between getting top/bottom metal brackets or getting clear ceramic brackets on the top front teeth, with the rest metal. My ortho offered to do the clear ones at no additional cost and after thinking about it for a while I decided I wanted just the metal.

Did anyone get the clear ones and regret it? And did anyone get the metal and wish they had gone for the clear? Personally, I'm pretty happy with that decision but once in a while I wonder if my braces would have looked better as clear. Based on people I've known in the past, I've never really thought the clear ones were much of a difference. Some people look like they just have dirty teeth. But since I've gotten mine on, I have seen a few people with ceramic brackets that are barely noticeable. So I don't know...I think I made the right choice...??? lol

What do you guys think?

~Katie

[Sunny]

Hopefully everyone will agree that what they have is the best ... as it would be sad to feel any other way!

I started with ceramic on my uppers and I loved them ... and if I was to do this all again (and no ... it's never going to happen), I'd definitely go with ceramic. They feel great, they look great and even better they look amazing with coloured ligs. The ligs have a 'glow' look, whereas with the metal, they're just coloured ligs.

I had metal lowers and eventually have all (except one) upper metal ... but that's another story and my ortho didn't want to do it ... he's loves ceramic brackets and the way they look etc. Anyway the metal brackets are more scratchy, annoying and I don't really like the way they look, especially on adults.

Where I work we offer ceramic to all our patients, but many have metal lowers because of their bite.

I have seen patients come in with stained ligs/powerchains/power chord ... just like mine sometimes are ... but these will stain no matter what your brackets are. Some stained ligs/powerchains do make the teeth look a bit yellow, but so do metal brackets. What I have noticed is ... most people don't look at our teeth ... so who cares if they are stained? We notice it, but if we're more comfortable with our brackets being 'low visibility' and we enjoy the comfort of the ceramic smoothness ... then the decision is an easy one!

Katie I'm sure you made the right decision, as it was the decision you made for you ... that makes it right!

Our treatment time is such a short period in our lives and it amazes me how much time people spend worrying about the brackets, when our concern should be focused on making sure we do the ground work to have the right orthdontist to treat us!

[sol]

I would have liked to go ceramic but I was not able to because the surgeon would not do any surgery with ceramic brackets, but I have seen people with some of the newer ones that are really almost invisable so I guess it depends on what you get. I do not have any problem with my metal ones though they do not look bad and no one even notices them really, and I have not had much problem with them being scratchy and when they do I just wax them up.

[Sunny]

... the other thing that helps once your mouth has toughened is to keep well hydrated. I notice on very hot days when I've not had enough water to drink, my mouth is scratchy. As soon as my water level gets good again, I forget about my mouth ... the best way!

Sol I probably wouldn't have noticed, except I changed from ceramic to metal after nearly two years.

[rmcs]

I thought about getting the clear ones but I really wanted to pick out colors so I went with metal.

[lasvegasann]

Just be happy with your decision....as a kid I had metal and now as an adult I got the cermaics...i wanted something not to noticeable....but i have seen adults with metal and they look wonderful to me, too....i am just happy and fortunate to have braces again and that is all that matters.

[braced cat]

I have ceramic braces (Is ICE ceramic?) and so far I'm happy with them.

My ortho said brackets are not the most important part. For the look, yes, brackets play an important role. That's why manufacturers create clear brackets and coloured ligs besides metal brackets. But for the movement of the teeth, it's the wire role. The brackets provide slots for wire, but the archwire is the one responsible for the movement of the teeth. So I think your decision is the best for you. Be proud with your braces and everything will be fine.

Good luck for the treatment!

[Carrie]

Like Ms. Sunny I love the glowing look that ceramic with colored ligs give. Because of my bite I have to get the metal on the bottom otherwise I'd have a whole mouthful of glowing ligs. hehehe. I'm okay with whatever is the best choice for my mouth and I leave that to my ortho.

[Denise]

I wish I was able to get ICE brackets, rather than the ceramics I have. A girl at my dentist office has them and they are so cool looking. Mine are huge and bulky and I may as well have metal because these ceramics don't 'blend in' in the least. Oh well...only a few more months to go (8 at least)!

[Anny]

I got ceramics and love them. My clear ligatures stain all the time but I deal with it

[lauralea]

I think il be much happier with the Damon clears rather than full metal, alhough I am somewhat disapponted that I have to get metal on bottom. I think they will be super obvious and thAt's what I'm trying not to have. Ah well.