You may have already heard about braces, the dental alignment correction tools attached to your teeth with wires and rubber bands. The traditional braces were made of stainless steel or metal, making them difficult to hide while speaking or smiling. On the other hand, ceramic braces are more discrete.
Ceramic braces are transparent, which makes them easy to hide. The time required to fix your teeth using ceramic braces is the same as traditional metal braces. Therefore, the former option may be considered better due to the discretion provided. Nevertheless, weighing the pros and cons of every option is important to make an informed decision.
Visit a dental practice in Buffalo Grove today and learn more about ceramic braces.
Pros and cons of ceramic braces
Pros
- Ceramic braces are less painful.
People who have had both ceramic and traditional braces say that ceramic ones are less painful to the gums and less harsh on the teeth as well. Since traditional braces are made of metal or stainless steel, they may feel uncomfortable.
- They are less visible than ceramic braces.
Visibility is perhaps the biggest advantage of ceramic braces. Due to the discretion provided by ceramic braces, patients can comfortably speak and smile in public without being overly self-conscious about how their teeth look.
- They do not cause interference with x-rays.
If you visit the doctor for imaging studies, such as MRIs or x-rays, metal braces could interfere with the signals. On the other hand, ceramic braces have a much lesser chance of the same.
Cons
- Ceramic braces have bigger brackets.
Even though the size of brackets in all braces is similar nowadays, ceramic braces usually have a bigger bracket size than metal braces. This might be a deal breaker for some people, but the fact that these brackets match the color of your natural teeth may negate the issue.
- They are more expensive than metal braces.
Ceramic braces may help you retain a good smile, but they do not come for cheap. Ceramic braces cost $1000-$2000 more than metal braces in Buffalo Grove. So, this option is not for you if you have a tight budget.
- They make it difficult to clean teeth.
As mentioned, ceramic braces have a bigger bracket size, because of which they cover more of the tooth surface area. This can make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, leading to plaque buildup and problems like gum disease and tooth sensitivity.
