Braces help people get straighter teeth and fix many oral health issues—such as malocclusions—but many people don't like them because having a mouthful of metal is not cosmetically appealing. One way to handle this situation is to opt for ceramic braces, which are designed to match the color of the patient's teeth so they blend in better. However, ceramic braces differ from metal ones in two important ways, both of which you should know about to help you determine if they are the right option for you.

Ceramic Exerts Less Pressure

Teeth are gradually moved around in the mouth by the amount of pressure exerted on them by the braces. Metal brackets can exert and sustain a great amount of pressure. Unfortunately, ceramic brackets cannot. Therefore, ceramic braces generally are not recommended for people with severe tooth problems that require quite a bit of force to correct.

Because they are not as strong as metal braces, ceramic ones also take longer to move teeth to the desired positions. This is because the dentist cannot adjust them as tightly as he or she can with metal braces. Since the adjustments are smaller, they must be done over a longer period of time to achieve the same result as you would get with metal braces.

Ceramic May Stain Easier

Another concern with ceramic braces is they tend to stain easier than metal braces. Ceramic mimics the porous nature of teeth; thus, the brackets and ligatures are more likely to hold onto food particles and other debris that cause staining, which can have a negative impact on your smile.

Most dentists know how prone to staining ceramic braces are, so they will typically change out the ligatures each time you go in for a checkup and clean the braces as best they can. However, you can also minimize this problem as well by avoiding foods and habits that have been known to cause staining, such as drinking wine and coffee, smoking, and eating strawberries. Rinsing your mouth out after eating and using whitening toothpaste can also minimize staining.

Outside of a few difference, ceramic braces can be just as effective as metal ones in most cases. Therefore, it is worth discussing whether you are a good candidate for them with your orthodontist. For more information about ceramic braces or to schedule an appointment for a consultation to determine if this dental appliance can help you with your oral health issues, contact a local dentist. 

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