At Oldham Orthodontics, we often get asked if we have any alternatives to metal, train track braces. Although metal braces are much smaller, more efficient and cost effective than they used to be, we do offer a number of fabulous alternatives.
Here, we’ve tried to demystify the world of braces by giving you the low down on the types that we offer.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, are perhaps our most popular treatment because they are so easy to use and get fantastic results. They appeal to anyone looking for an invisible brace solution and for those in the public eye who may worry about their braces showing.
These work in a similar fashion to a mouth guard and are clear, thin and made of medical grade plastic. You wear each set of retainers for around two weeks, before moving on to the next set, which helps to gradually move your teeth into the desired position.
Lingual braces
These offer a very discrete way of straightening the teeth when compared to traditional metal braces. They are made up of small brackets and wires that are bonded to the back of the teeth, making them almost invisible to others.
Lingual braces work in a similar way to traditional braces, though offer one of the most invisible methods of tooth straightening. You can find out more about the brands we use here.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces are an alternative to metal braces and are much less noticeable. The brackets are a similar size and shape to metal brackets, but are clear or tooth coloured.
Some people may have these if they have extreme tooth irregularities and are therefore not suitable for Invisalign treatment. In addition, they are often more budget friendly than lingual braces. Our chosen brands include: Clarity™, Radiance and InVu.
Self-ligating braces
These type of braces are similar to traditional metal braces in that they are fixed. However, they use small metal clips instead of elastic bands and are self-ligating, which essentially means that the bracket can tie itself to the arch wire.
Self-ligating braces are designed to be more comfortable than traditional braces and they may reduce treatment times because the wires do not need to be tightened at every appointment.
Functional braces
For people that have significant issues with their teeth, such as an excessive overbite or receding jaws, we also offer functional braces. These are typically for the patient that is still growing and are either fixed or removable.
If you need help picking the braces most suited to your teeth, or want to find out more about our services, you can call us on 0161 622 0987, or email us here.