Ceramic vs metal braces? What are the differences?
June 5, 2012 12:07 AM
Ceramic vs metal braces? What are the differences?
I require braces to correct malocclusion. I wanted to ask whether anyone would choose one over the other, and why. After reading a few comparisons online, it seems they are generally similar in performance with improvements in ceramic-based technology, although I do see different sites stating different things. There is some staining of the thing that is changed every month with the ceramic-based braces. There was conflicting information whether any of the specific metal/ceramic braces cause actual staining to the teeth surface. My other question is whether the size of the brace that binds to your teeth is different, and if one of the two causes a worse initial ulcers in the mouth due to irritation? Thanks. And yes, I will be discussing with my orthodontist.
I require braces to correct malocclusion. I wanted to ask whether anyone would choose one over the other, and why. After reading a few comparisons online, it seems they are generally similar in performance with improvements in ceramic-based technology, although I do see different sites stating different things. There is some staining of the thing that is changed every month with the ceramic-based braces. There was conflicting information whether any of the specific metal/ceramic braces cause actual staining to the teeth surface. My other question is whether the size of the brace that binds to your teeth is different, and if one of the two causes a worse initial ulcers in the mouth due to irritation? Thanks. And yes, I will be discussing with my orthodontist.
Thanks for the thorough reply, beryllium! Did you get ceramics on both upper and lower teeth? They are giving me the option of doing the upper clear and lower metal. I will have to think about that.
posted by eliluong at 1:25 AM on June 5, 2012
posted by eliluong at 1:25 AM on June 5, 2012
Regarding staining, I just had a thought that since you are covering that region of the teeth for two+ years with something, the surrounding region may change color during those years, and upon removal of the braces, you end up with the discolored spot. Kind of like wearing a watch for a long time and then you have this watch-tan on your arm.
posted by eliluong at 1:28 AM on June 5, 2012
posted by eliluong at 1:28 AM on June 5, 2012
Ceramics both upper and lower (but only on the visible front six teeth; back brackets were metal). I was also offered the combination option--I think I decided it looked even stranger than all one or the other? I've never seen it on a person, however.
And yes, that's certainly possible (indeed, I worried about that before getting them off!). That being said, I've never seen it happen to anyone, regardless of bracket type. Obviously, good oral hygiene and not using products that would change the color of your teeth are important too!
posted by beryllium at 1:59 AM on June 5, 2012
And yes, that's certainly possible (indeed, I worried about that before getting them off!). That being said, I've never seen it happen to anyone, regardless of bracket type. Obviously, good oral hygiene and not using products that would change the color of your teeth are important too!
posted by beryllium at 1:59 AM on June 5, 2012
I had ceramics as a teenager for ~18 months. No staining, but (I guess they are still recommending this?) I used a waterpik really really religiously and brushed my teeth -- having braces I think makes the tooth-brushing that much more DESIRABLE as a personal routine, because you know there's this food-obstacle-course in your mouth.
The clear bands/ligatures were not a problem for me, but I wasn't drinking coffee at quite the rate I do as an adult, so YMMV. I'm pretty sure as long as you aren't using super gritty toothpaste you can't over do brushing so . . just keep 'em clean. You should be fine.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:03 AM on June 5, 2012
The clear bands/ligatures were not a problem for me, but I wasn't drinking coffee at quite the rate I do as an adult, so YMMV. I'm pretty sure as long as you aren't using super gritty toothpaste you can't over do brushing so . . just keep 'em clean. You should be fine.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:03 AM on June 5, 2012
I had ceramic braces on my top front 6 teeth. It was not possible to have them on the bottom because I had an overbite which would have knocked them off, so I needed the smaller form metal braces on the bottom. The ceramic braces were more subtle, mainly in the sense that someone needs to be within about 15 feet of you to tell you're wearing braces, rather than 30 feet with metal braces (give or take). I suppose they probably look marginally better up close. With any braces, the orthodontist uses either metal ties or colored elastic ligatures to bind the archwire to the braces. When he uses ligatures, you get clear or white ligatures with ceramic brackets, which tend to stain slightly over time, whereas you get silver ligatures with metal brackets, which don't noticeably stain. They won't stain bright red or anything, but will look kind of dingy by the time they're changed, which can be as long as 8 weeks. I was in ligatures about half the time, metal ties the other half.
As far as I know, brackets don't stain teeth, but they do prevent your teeth from being stained or whitened, so, for example, you don't use whitening toothpaste in braces, as this could leave darker spots where your brackets were when they come off. I had no issues with this.
Ceramic brackets are much bigger; I had no problems with lip/cheek irritation with either type of bracket.
For me, the benefit to ceramic over metal on the top teeth was fairly small, but so was the cost difference, and I would make the same choice again.
posted by deadweightloss at 6:37 AM on June 5, 2012
As far as I know, brackets don't stain teeth, but they do prevent your teeth from being stained or whitened, so, for example, you don't use whitening toothpaste in braces, as this could leave darker spots where your brackets were when they come off. I had no issues with this.
Ceramic brackets are much bigger; I had no problems with lip/cheek irritation with either type of bracket.
For me, the benefit to ceramic over metal on the top teeth was fairly small, but so was the cost difference, and I would make the same choice again.
posted by deadweightloss at 6:37 AM on June 5, 2012
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Addressing specific potential downsides: I had self-ligating braces, which meant no ligatures to stain!, but I did have some staining problems with a clear power chain at one point. (Curry + clear ligatures or power chains = classic bad combination.) My ortho's assistant switched me to grey chains at the next appointment, though, which were nearly as subtle.
The brackets didn't cause any visible staining to the teeth on removal. I'm pretty sure the brackets are larger than comparable metal brackets, but the size didn't bother me. The first week in braces was definitely painful due to irritation (take ibuprofen, even if it doesn't hurt at first. you'll want it later), but I'm not sure if it would have been better with metal braces. After that, however, the brackets were perfectly comfortable.
I was in braces for 2 years 4 months. To my knowledge, the ceramic brackets did not affect the treatment time.
In summary: I wasn't bothered by any of the putative downsides of ceramic braces, which were at most minor annoyances, and being able to smile in photographs without being self-conscious was pretty awesome.
On the other hand, I've met several working adults in braces who seemed happy with theirs; and, not having landed a job during my time in braces, I can't speak to their usefulness in that regard. Even so, if aesthetics are important to you, the ceramics aren't a bad choice.
posted by beryllium at 1:06 AM on June 5, 2012