Because all of you are different. Your braces should be too.
There are many types of braces and we’ve talked about them before. But never through the lens of who you are and what your situation in life is. Understanding your budget, personality type and lifestyle choices will help you make a more informed decision about which type of brace is right for you. Let’s get started.
You’re confident, quirky, young (and possibly broke)
You require: Metal braces
Metal braces are also known as traditional braces but there’s nothing traditional about people who choose to wear them. Made of stainless steel, they comprise metal brackets, rubber bands and an archwire fixed to the front of the teeth. They’re extremely affordable. Very durable. Highly effective. And certainly not subtle. They are easily the most visible type of brace so you can see why you need confidence to pull them off. Metal braces are now available in various designs and colours – so when it comes to fun and variety, no other brace can compare.
You’re self-conscious, young (and definitely broke)
You require: Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces do resemble metal braces in terms of shape and size but the similarity ends there. The material from which ceramic braces are constructed allows them to blend easily into your teeth. Are they the best option if you don’t want people to know you’re wearing braces? Well, no. But they’re affordable, being only slightly more expensive than metal braces. They also have a tendency to get stained so you have to be careful about cleaning them. A nasty stain right where your teeth are? Eek. If you’re not a very hygienic person, explore some other options.
You’re really shy, only a little broke and your teeth aren’t very crooked
You require: Lingual braces
You might be an image-conscious teenager or a working professional who’s just about started working their way up the ladder. The last thing you need are braces but you have no choice. Consider talking to your dentist about lingual braces. They have the same components as conventional braces, but they’re fixed to the back of your teeth, on the tongue. Because they’re behind your teeth, they’re practically invisible. They are not, however, practical for people with severe problems as they are less effective than their traditional metal counterparts. If you’ve got a really deep overbite, for instance, you might have problems with the brackets popping off more often than you’d like. They can also cause a lisp for the first month or two so if your work includes public speaking, you might want to try another option. They also take longer to align your teeth and could cause discomfort by coming into direct contact with your tongue, apart from being a little tricky to clean. They’re more expensive than ceramic braces but less expensive than Invisalign (which we will get to shortly). But if you don’t want anyone to know you’re wearing braces and you can’t afford Invisalign, they’re an excellent, excellent option.
You’re an adult who’s made some money and the thought of wearing braces makes you shudder.
You require: Invisalign
Invisalign, as the name suggests, is practically invisible. It’s easy to remove when eating or cleaning your teeth and it’s also highly effective, while requiring fewer trips to the doctor. Invisalign also moves teeth more gradually than traditional braces which may cause less discomfort. However, it is more expensive. And it can get lost or broken which results in more money spent on treatment. But if you have enough money and a strong desire to hide the fact that you wear braces from the rest of the world, this is definitely the best option for you.