Types Of Affordable Dental Braces

Most of us that are in our late twenties, early thirties remember or were that poor kid with their mouth full of metal braces that everyone made fun of. Well those days are over, gone –in most occasions- are the huge mouth pieces that were not only uncomfortable but also extremely anti-aesthetic. Nowadays braces can be elegant and discreet or loud and fun. For young adults and adults there is an “invisible” choice, where the brackets are made to match the natural color of your teeth and for the flamboyant youngsters or those who wish to make a statement, brackets and rubbers now come in an array of different colors. Today's orthodontics has more kinds of braces than ever before.

So, what are the options?

Metal braces/Traditional braces

These are the metal brackets and wires that most that come to mind when we first hear the word "braces." We must keep in mind though, that modern brackets are smaller and less noticeable than the notorious "metal-mouth" braces of the past. Plus, new heat-activated arch wires use your body heat to help teeth move more quickly and less painfully than in the past. These metal braces are the most affordable dental braces and the ones which allow the use of colored rubber bands to make them more fun for kids and motivate them to wear affordabledental braces. They are, however, the most noticeable therefore not a popular choice among those who wish for a less conspicuous solution to their dental issues.

Ceramic Braces

The popular choice for those who are sensitive about their appearance, are ceramic braces. Ceramic affordable dental braces are the same size and shape as metal braces, except that they have tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in to teeth. Some even use tooth-colored wires to be even less noticeable. These braces are also more popular as they move teeth much faster than clear plastic aligners. The problem with these braces, besides the fact that they are more expensive than metal braces, they can stain easily if patients don’t care for them well.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are for those who wish for their affordable dental braces to be invisible. Lingual braces are the same as traditional metal braces, except that the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of teeth. Lingual Braces however, are difficult to clean; cost more than traditional affordable dental braces; are not appropriate for severe cases and can be more uncomfortable at first. Regular adjustments take longer and are more difficult than with traditional braces.

Invisalign

Invisalign is the choice for those who do not want to wear any form of metal braces. Invisalign consists of a series of 18 to 30 custom-made, mouth guard-like clear plastic aligners. The aligners are removable and are replaced every 2 weeks. Invisalign is almost invisible and patients can eat and drink whatever they want but are only for milder cases and adults or teens. Invisalign is a more expensive choice and the trays can be easily lost and costly to replace. Treatment with Invisalign may potentially take longer