Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces, but they use clear or tooth-colored brackets rather than gray or metallic silver brackets and wires

Many people opt for ceramic braces because they’re less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. This can be a huge advantage if you’re considering braces and don’t want to feel self-conscious about wearing them.

Candidate for Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are recommended if all of your adult teeth have come in and you’ve mostly stopped growing. This ensures a quick correction and a lower chance of brackets breaking due to the strain of tooth movement.

Ceramic braces are a good choice if you want your braces to be subtle. Because they’re usually tooth-colored or white, they’re less noticeable. This makes them ideal for straightening your teeth if you work a full-time job or attend college and don’t want to draw attention to them.

Durability

Ceramic braces are much less durable than metal braces simply because metal is sturdier than ceramic. A 2016 studyTrusted Source found that ceramic braces are more than twice as likely to break than metal braces, even from normal contact from biting down.

If you play contact sports or are involved in an extracurricular activity that requires a lot of mouth movements — think singing, debate, or public speaking — you may want to consider more durable metal braces that won’t chip or crack easily.

Colors

The color of each component of your ceramic braces can be changed throughout the course of your treatment. The components include:


  • Brackets. Brackets stick to your teeth and are usually available in white.

  • Archwires. These wires curve around your teeth, connecting all the brackets and applying pressure to your teeth to straighten them. They’re often available in silver, white, or frosted to blend in with light-colored brackets.

  • Elastic bands. Elastic bands attach to hooks on the brackets. They keep the archwire in place and help to adjust the position of the teeth and jaw. You can get these bands in almost any color imaginable. You can choose colors that blend in with your skin shade, or get creative and select a rainbow pattern all across your smile.