Different Types of Teeth Braces & How They Work
Do you know what a “braces dentist” is called? The more common name for a “dentist of braces” is an orthodontist!
While not all dentists are orthodontists, all orthodontists are dentists. Here at The Super Dentists, San Diego’s #1 family dentist and orthodontist team, we recognize the importance of a winning smile.
It’s not all about keeping up appearances, though – straighter teeth help in everything from chewing, talking and even sleeping, as teeth grinding can be an issue with misaligned teeth.
We’ve taken our family-first approach to dental and orthodontic services to provide multiple teeth straightening options for the whole family. At The Super Dentists, it’s all about getting your or your child’s smile back on track by choosing the perfect set of braces.
Learn the Pros and Cons of Different Types of Braces
From traditional braces to clear aligner braces, we offer comfortable, affordable teeth straightening solutions and different kinds of braces for everyone from kids to adults!
This article provides plenty of helpful information for you and your family, covering the different types of braces we offer, and comparing invisible braces vs. Invisalign vs. traditional braces’ pros and cons. Whether you’re looking for braces for your children or braces for yourself, The Super Dentists have got you covered.
Clear Aligners
Ortho Plus - Say Hello to the Present
Some of today’s most popular teeth straightening methods include clear aligners — often referred to by the common branded term “Invisalign”.
Clear aligners work by using a series of custom-made, removable trays that gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. Each tray is worn for about two weeks before switching to the next in the series, slowly moving the teeth towards their final alignment. The trays are made of a clear, flexible plastic material that is virtually invisible when worn.
Clear Aligners are barely visible trays and the treatment time for straight teeth is less than traditional braces.
Comparing Invisalign vs. braces’ pros and cons, you’ll find that the former are designed to easily slip onto the teeth, making them comfortable to wear. Ortho Plus clear aligner braces (the type of clear aligners we offer here at The Super Dentists) gently and gradually move teeth into place, all without the metal wires and tight rubber bands associated with traditional braces.
In-Ovation is a current type of self-ligating braces (no tightening required) that doesn’t use traditional wires or elastic ties. This makes In-Ovation braces more comfortable, less visible and easier to keep clean than traditional braces. Available in clear or metal.
Pros
- Less visible
- More comfortable
- Straighten faster
- Easy to keep clean
Cons
- Case selection is critical
Lingual Orthodontics - Let's Go Invisible
What are lingual braces? Lingual braces go behind your teeth on the tongue side so they are completely out of sight.
Incognito braces, as they’re also known, are custom-made to attach to the back of your teeth, making them invisible from the front. They use the same mechanical principles as traditional braces, applying pressure to move teeth into their correct positions over time. Each bracket is tailored to fit the unique shape of each tooth, which optimizes comfort and effectiveness.
While traditional metal braces are attached to the outside of the teeth and are easily visible, the advantage of lingual braces is that they’re made to be effective without being seen...which is a good thing!
Pros
- Completely hidden – invisible
- 100% customized for each tooth
- Fixes any smile
Cons
- Can be more expensive
- Can be difficult to clean
Incognito™ Braces
This type of lingual braces is completely undetectable and easy to wear. Think of Incognito Braces as the ultimate combination of clear aligners and lingual orthodontics. They’re clear, easy to wear, and customized to fit for supreme comfort and wearability.
Incognito™ Braces are a type of lingual braces that are completely hidden behind the teeth and are custom-molded to each patient’s dental anatomy. These braces are fixed and non-removable, providing continuous and efficient tooth movement without the need for adjustments typically associated with traditional braces.
Pros
- Discreet - almost impossible to notice
- No wire adjustments required
- Gradually move teeth into place
- Minimal speech disruption
- No wires, bands, uncomfortable application, or removal
Cons
- Added importance on case selection
- Usually more expensive than traditional braces care
Traditional Braces
Of all the different types of braces, traditional braces are the most common. This type of teeth straightening method involves small metal mounts on each tooth, each with tiny holes for wires to pass through. The wires are latched with small rubber bands to encourage gradual movement to the correct position.
This method uses consistent pressure to correct alignment over time, and patients can personalize their braces with different colored bands.
At The Super Dentists, we provide all types of braces for you and your family, including trusted, tried-and-true traditional braces, where you get to change your rubber band color routinely to change with the season! Here are some of the main pros and cons of braces:
Pros
- Effective method
- Customization options
- Affordable and covered by most dental insurance plans
Cons
- light discomfort during installation and a few days afterward
- Regular, frequent appointments
Traditional Orthodontics – Say Goodbye to the Past
Time for your child to show off their wild side! You’re likely familiar with traditional braces – the wires and rubber bands.
They’ve worked great for years but now there are more modern options. However, The Super Dentists does offer Wild Smiles, a fun alternative for kids to show off their individual style with decorative brackets and colorful rubber bands. After all, the most exciting part of getting children’s dental braces for many kids is choosing different colors!
Pros
- Low-profile stainless steel braces
- Fun-shaped brackets and colorful rubber bands
Cons
- Not as comfortable as current braces
- Initially less costly but due to adjustments, can be pricey over time
Types of Braces for Kids & Teens
To provide our patients with the best orthodontic care, The Super Dentists have the newest braces technology available. There are many types of braces to meet the needs and desires of our kid, teen and adult patients, so we offer the following options:
- AADvance Braces™
- Clear Aligners
- Incognito™
- In-Ovation®
- Ortho Plus
- WildSmiles®
Is My Teen Too Old for Braces?
Not necessarily, no.
As we’ve covered in our blog post “What is the Best Age for Kids to Get Braces?”, the issue of whether or not a child should get braces at all, let alone what age they should get them is truly a subjective one.
It’s true that adult braces often take longer to work than child braces because by adulthood, a person’s bone density is more well-established, and therefore manipulating teeth within the mouth takes more effort and time.
In an ideal world, the conversation about whether or not a child will need braces should happen before they are teens. But we all know that life happens sometimes. We also know that braces aren’t cheap!
The good news is that there isn’t actually an upper limit for when you can have your orthodontist put on braces for your child, teen, or even yourself as an adult!
The Benefits Braces for Teens
After installation, treatment, and removal, braces correct crooked teeth and can also correct overbites or underbites.
In effect, what this means is that braces can positively affect teens’ self-esteem, while also providing relief from medical issues that may cause pain and discomfort such as TMJ.
Plus, with today’s many different types of braces, chances are there’s an option that will work for even the most image-conscious teens (and adults) who may not want to have metal showing in their mouths.
Discover Which Type of
All of our orthodontic treatments include our trademark patient-friendly care. Curious about the cost of different types of braces or what type of braces work best for your kid based on their age, stage of life, and oral development? Reach out and we’ll be happy to go over that with you. Plus, you’ll be glad to know that we have flexible and affordable insurance and payment options for the various braces we offer.
At The Super Dentists, we work with dental insurance plans all over the country. Even if you’re not totally covered by your plan, our friendly staff can work out a payment plan that fits your budget.
With six locations throughout the greater San Diego area, our orthodontic consultants are on hand to help you and your family figure out teeth straightening options.
Contact us today to see what types of braces for teeth are right for your teeth and get your overall oral health on the right track with The Super Dentists! Call us at 1 (855) GO SUPER or Text 1 (844) 765-1234 or schedule an appointment online today. Thanks for considering The Super Dentists for your teeth straightening needs!
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