Don’t get yourself all worked up in an online search to compare the different types of braces. Our Daniel & Jones Orthodontics team has broken down each orthodontic treatment option so you can quickly determine the differences.
When asked what your favorite food is, you might have some qualifying questions before coming up with an answer. Are we talking snacks, a full meal, or dessert? Favorite of all time or favorite right now? You can probably choose a preferred option for every category and occasion. It’s only normal to have your favorite coffee, body wash, clothing brand, and so on.
Luckily, we live in a time when you can have your preferred cake and eat it, too. This idea is even carried over in your orthodontic treatment options. While Dr. John Daniel, Dr. Alex Jones, and their skilled team may not be able to help you narrow down which tasty treat or indulgent meal best suits your palate, when it comes to the different types of braces, they have the experience and knowledge to guide you to the choice that best fit your smile needs. Let’s sort it out now!
The Different Types of Braces
We understand that getting your teeth straightened with orthodontics is a big decision. After all, your smile is your first impression in life. Here at Daniel and Jones Orthodontics, we respect your reasons for wanting to improve your smile. Since we use nothing but the latest technology, your treatment gives you a healthier smile and greater self-confidence, and it will be an enjoyable and efficient experience, too! Let us help you make the best investment in your smile!
Conventional Metal Braces
Metal or traditional braces have been around for many decades and are the original powerhouses of orthodontic treatment. Thanks to technological advancements in orthodontics, today’s metal braces are smaller, lighter, and much more effective at significant adjustment needs than their bulky predecessors.
Traditional metal braces work by attaching a metal bracket to the front sides of your teeth and securing those brackets together with an archwire. This archwire is held on by elastic ties that come in various colors for ultimate personalization. Every 4-8 weeks, your orthodontist adjusts the archwire to create slight but precise tooth movement for the desired outcome.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are an up-and-coming option similar to conventional metal braces. This ingenious option works just like metal braces, except this method swaps the metal brackets for clear or tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic brackets, making them virtually undetectable. Many teen patients have even found that bright-colored elastic ties can create an almost neon effect that really pops!
Metal braces are known for their durability and strength. Ceramic braces are also tough, but they are made from a different, more fragile material that is more likely to chip or crack. Traditional braces are also better at tolerating pressure than newer ceramic ones.
Invisalign
Clear aligners like Invisalign have gained popularity in the last decade as technology has made them more inconspicuous, efficient, and budget-friendly. Similar to the post-braces retainer trays they evolved from, Invisalign clear aligners fit comfortably over your teeth and make minor adjustments over time for patients needing simple corrections as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems like misaligned teeth, large overbite, no jaw alignment problems, or those who have gaps in their front teeth- an open bite. With this anonymous treatment option, your smile is the only thing they’ll see.
How Do I Know Which is Best for Me?
We know it can be a tough decision, especially when there is no way for you to know what your tooth and jaw structure look like just from looking in the mirror. We will walk you through a complete oral examination when you come in for your initial FREE consultation. During this tour through your teeth, we will take x-rays and photos to analyze your tooth shape, smile display, and all aesthetic aspects of your lips and mouth. This is done to show you how your smile would benefit from orthodontic treatment and to help us see the functional elements and needs of your teeth and jaws. We want you to know exactly how your face, jaws, and smile would improve from orthodontic treatment and the best way to achieve that goal.
The choice is clear, or metal, with Daniel and Jones Orthodontics!
Our compassionate team at Daniel and Jones Orthodontics in Little Rock, Bryant, and Benton are here to walk you through the many orthodontic options available to get you the smile that matches your personality. Step by step, we will work alongside you and your family through the treatment and logistics options until we reach a perfect result for you or your child.
Whether conventional metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners like Invisalign, we are dedicated to giving you the most-personalized care using the latest orthodontic technologies and treatments. We’ll treat you and your family like you’re our own! Schedule your FREE consultation to let us help make you smile!