Blend in With Ceramic Braces
Clear braces are also referred to as ceramic braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces and Dr. Williams uses them to straighten your smile the same way as he does with metal braces.
Our clear braces at Williams Orthodontics are smaller than metal brackets and made of nearly invisible, tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material.
They’re designed to be less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces so people around Monroe or El Dorado won’t notice the brackets as easily as metal braces.
These ceramic options blend in well with your natural smile. Though they're not completely invisible, and the brackets are about the same size and shape, they’re much less noticeable than metal braces.
Ceramic braces offer patients in El Dorado and Monroe a discreet treatment option, but they can sometimes be slightly more fragile and more expensive than metal braces. As a result, Dr. Williams typically recommends them for older teen and adult patients.
All About Clear Braces
Ceramic brackets are a less obvious way to straighten your smile when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties. This option is especially attractive if you’re an aesthetic-minded adult or teen in Monroe, El Dorado, or the surrounding area.
Ceramic braces are perfect if you want a low-profile, minimally visible treatment option from Dr. Williams, but don't want the extra hassle of removable aligners or the additional responsibility of managing your wear time.
Even though most of our Williams Orthodontics patients in ceramic braces love how discrete they are, we do have some teens and adults who like to use colored ligature ties to give their braces a glowing neon accent. The colors pop against the clear brackets, creating a unique and eye-catching look.
Differences Between Ceramic & Metal Braces
Metal braces are known for their durability and strength. Ceramic braces are also tough, but they are made from a material that is slightly more likely to chip or crack. Traditional braces are better at tolerating pressure than newer ceramic ones.
If you need more drastic corrections, Dr. Williams may determine metal braces could be a better option. Ceramic braces tend to be a better choice for smaller adjustments. They cannot be set quite as tightly as metal braces so they might take a little more time to align your teeth.
Having said that, both types of braces work on the same principles and tend to be equally as effective.
You may be worried about ceramic braces staining, but that hasn’t been a problem for several years. Ceramic brackets won’t stain. The adhesive used to attach the brackets to the teeth and the clear elastic ties used to hold your wires have a small chance of staining.
In order to fully negate this risk, you can be extra prudent about brushing after meals or you may choose to avoidexcesses of staining foods like coffee, tea, red wine, tomatoes, mustard, etc. None of this will likely be necessary since we change your elastics at every adjustment appointment.
As long as you maintain a good oral hygiene routine and follow the treatment plan put in place by Dr. Williams, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about giving up your morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine.
Cost of Ceramic Braces
One of the biggest factors that affect the cost of your treatment at Williams Orthodontics will be the materials used to make your braces. In our El Dorado and Monroe offices, ceramic brackets cost a little more than metal brackets.
The good news is, we offer flexible payment plans, automatic bank drafts, and we will also check with your insurance company for orthodontic benefits. Our goal is to provide outstanding value for reasonable fees!
Treatment fees will vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Williams will determine a treatment fee that fits your specific orthodontic needs, and our office will do everything we can to accommodate you and your budget.
The work it takes to put your braces on, adjust them, and take them off must also be factored into the total cost of treatment. Placing and removing ceramic braces is more sensitive to technique and requires more time.
Our treatment coordinators will be happy to go over the cost with you during your first consultation.
Best For Adults
After a thorough orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Williams, we can determine which treatment option will be best for you and your smile.
At Williams Orthodontics, we generally think ceramic braces are better suited for adults and older teens. Ceramic brackets take a bit more responsibility to upkeep, and they're more expensive than metal brackets.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Williams at our offices in El Dorado and Monroe to learn if clear braces may be right for you.