Ceramic
brackets are made of composite materials. They
are very strong and generally do not stain. Three popular brands
are Clarity and Transcend, made by 3M Unitek; and Mystique,
made by GAC. Adults like to choose ceramic because they "blend
in" with the teeth and are less noticeable than metal.
These are the type of braces actor Tom Cruise had.
The ligatures (tiny rubber
bands) that hold the arch wire on to the ceramic brackets are
often white or clear. This looks great at first, but the ligatures
can stain (see the Help! Did I Stain My Braces?). Unless you
eat a lot of curry, smoke, or drink a lot of black coffee, this
generally isn't a problem. Note that the ligatures are changed
each time you get an adjustment -- usually, monthly. It's only
the ligatures that stain, not the brackets themselves!
Pros
They blend in with most teeth, particularly if they are not
perfectly white. They are not very noticeable at a distance
or in photos.
Some people feel that
they are more comfortable than metal and irritate your gums
less.
Contrary to what you
may have heard, ceramic brackets do not usually break or come
off your teeth. They are very strong, and if bound with a plasma
light, stay on as well as metal brackets.
Cons
The clear or white ligatures (little elastics that hold the
arch wire to the brackets) can stain, which defeats esthetics
of the ceramic braces. But those are changed at your monthly
adjustment.
Ceramic brackets are
are usually more expensive than traditional metal brackets.
Treatment can take a
few months longer in ceramic braces.
From a purely esthetic
point of view, they are a bit larger than metal brackets.
If you have severe problems,
your orthodontist will not use ceramic brackets in many cases,
because they may not be strong enough to withstand the forces
of some types of treatment.
If
you require any more information on COSMETIC DENTISTRY
IN SYDNEY please do not hesitate to contact us.
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