With so many advances made in the world of orthodontics, it’s no longer necessary to wear highly visible metal braces to straighten teeth and revitalize a smile! At Bryan Johnson Orthodontics, we offer our patients choices when it comes to the type of appliances they’ll wear to achieve their best smiles. The ceramic braces we offer are ideal for people who want their orthodontic treatment to be discreet, so they never have to worry about what others will think about the appliances on their teeth.
What Are Ceramic Braces?
Like conventional metal braces, ceramic braces consists of brackets that are cemented to the teeth with an archwire running through the brackets. But unlike metal braces that are made of stainless steel, ceramic braces are made of translucent, composite ceramic materials. The clear ceramic brackets blend in with the natural color of the teeth, making these braces less noticeable than metal braces, but not as “invisible” as clear aligners.
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Ceramic Braces
If you’re concerned about how you’ll look with metal braces on your teeth, ceramic braces could be perfect for you! The discrete nature of these braces means you can breeze through your treatment without ever having to worry about how you look. These braces are popular among self-conscious teenagers and adults of all ages who don’t want to wear a mouthful of metal in order to improve their smiles.
The composite materials used to make ceramic braces are weaker and more fragile than the stainless steel used to make metal braces. For this reason, people who choose ceramic braces must be more mindful of what they eat and how carefully they brush and floss, to ensure the braces don’t become damaged. Another disadvantage is that the white or clear ligatures or tiny rubber bands used with ceramic braces can stain. However, because these ligatures are changed regularly when visiting our Salem orthodontist, this staining is not a big issue or a reason not to choose ceramic braces.
The Procedure for Getting Ceramic Braces
Many orthodontists tell their patients that they must have a few teeth removed prior to wearing braces in order to create more space in the mouth for the teeth to move. If you’re concerned that you’ll have to have some teeth removed before wearing braces, you don’t have to worry because our orthodontist never likes seeing his patients lose perfectly healthy teeth. Using his expertise and the most advanced treatment techniques, Dr. Johnson can effectively treat orthodontic problems and issues without the need for tooth removal.
The procedure for getting ceramic braces is the same as what’s done when metal braces are placed on the teeth. The teeth are first cleaned and then dried. The next step involves Dr. Johnson applying a bonding cement to the teeth so he can attach the brackets to the front surfaces of the teeth. Once all the brackets are in place, he’ll then put the archwire in the brackets and secure it with elastic ligatures.
The entire procedure takes an hour or so to complete. Once your braces are on, you can leave our office with a smile on your face, knowing that you’re well on your way to achieving the smile of your dreams!
What to Expect When Wearing Ceramic Braces
When you choose Salem ceramic braces to improve your smile, your treatment can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months, depending on the severity of the problem being treated. During the course of your treatment, you will need to visit us every few weeks so Dr. Johnson can check your progress. During these routine visits, he will also tighten up your archwire to ensure that your teeth continue moving, to keep your treatment on track.
After every visit, you may have some discomfort due to the archwire being tightened. However, this usually passes within a few days. If need be, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication like you would for a headache.
For the entire time you’re wearing ceramic braces, you can smile with confidence knowing that most people won’t even notice the appliances on your teeth. You will need to avoid some foods during your treatment that can damage your braces like hard, sticky and gooey foods. You’ll also have to do a good job with your oral hygiene to avoid problems like tooth decay. Just take it easy with your toothbrush when brushing around your ceramic braces so you don’t damage them!
Contact Us to Schedule Your First Visit with Dr. Johnson
If the idea of discreetly improving your smile with ceramic braces appeals to you, then it’s time to request an appointment with Dr. Johnson! During your first visit to our Salem, Stayton or Silverton office, you’ll undergo a thorough exam, followed by a chat with Dr. Johnson about his findings and your treatment options. We love welcoming new patients to our practice and are eager to meet you soon!