Clarity Brackets

[Eggwaffles]

Hello everyone!
I'm hoping someone here would be able to answer my questions.

I would be getting my braces on next month and I am so nervous as I still can't decide which brackets are best for me.
I have decided to go with ceramic brackets as I am an adult and would like it to be less obvious.

I now have to decide between the clarity brackets with the ligatures or the clarity sl (self-ligating) brackets.

The orthodontist said both brackets would work for me, and it's just really up to me to decide.
Clarity SL brackets -
Pros: no ligatures, so apparently less time spent in the chair and no staining, but what else is so great about this 'self=ligating' brackets?! Could anyone tell me? Does it work better?
Cons: Bulky!! These brackets have metal sides that stand out quite a bit. I really dislike that.

Clarity (with the ligatures) brackets -
Pros: it works the same as traditional brackets and has the metal slot inside that is supposed to reduce friction
Cons: Has the donut ligatures which could stain and make teeth look yellow.
I also forgot if they were bulky... and the size of the brackets compared to traditional brackets. Does anyone know?!

Okay...any feedback would help me with making my decision! Does anyone wear or have experience with Clarity brackets? Please help me!

[justjenn]

I believe my braces are clarity and they're self litigating. I didn't like the metal on them at first but after about a week, I forgot about them. Most people don't even realize that I have braces unless I smile really big and they see my lower metal ones. I actually love mine. They're also not that bulky either and I tend to feel the metal ones more than the clear ones.

[Sunny]

Great you're soon to start treatment!

Brackets all do the same job ... they're bonded to teeth for the archwire ... and it's the archwire that does the work.

Your decision needs to be made about the look of the bracket for you. It can be tough when ortho's offer more than one ceramic bracket ... as many only offer the one which means no decision is necessary.

I've had the clarity with ligs and they were great. A plus was that the brackets are shaped so that the wings arch back towards the teeth, helping with comfort. These brackets are also less bulky than the self ligating, due to there being nothing on top of the bracket to go over he archwire. I don't think this is a huge difference though, as most people find there mouths adjust quickly to the brackets, no matter what size they are.

I'm sure which ever bracket you choose you'll be happy with your decision and here's to your treatment going really well!

[Eggwaffles]

Thanks for the feedback! I have decided to go with the regular ceramic brackets because I don't really like the metal sides of the Clarity SL. I'm so glad my orthodontist doesn't charge to install ceramics on adults. Hopefully, the ligatures won't stain.. and if they do, i may go with baby pink or baby blue elastics. I'm not sure yet!

[Brace Face]

I had the clarity self ligating brackets and I didn't mind them, the metal on the sides really wasn't that noticeable and I was grateful for not having to worry about staining ligs (have a look at my album picture in my profile to see how they look on an actual person)! The only problem I did have was, my ortho decided they weren't quite giving him the tiny movements he wanted as they were a bit too big so he switched them for non self-ligating brackets in the last few months of treatment. Instead of using elastic ligs on the new brackets he used the thin metal tie wires and they looked way less obvious with those, even better than the SL brackets to be honest. I am extremely happy with the final outcome so I don't think you need to worry whichever way you go.

Good luck.