Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common. They are made of high grade stainless steel. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces can slowly move teeth through their supporting bone to a new desirable position. Today’s braces are much smaller, more comfortable, and generally less noticeable than in the past. Therefore they are much more attractive. You can “dress up” your braces to fit your own personality. Most of the patients like to use different color elastics that can be changed at each appointment. Also, your brackets (the part of the braces that hold the wire) can be metal or clear, depending on your preference. In some cases, brackets may be bonded behind the teeth (lingual braces).
Ceramic Braces
Clear ceramic braces are an aesthetic alternative to traditional metal braces. Clear braces move your teeth in exactly the same way as metal braces do. Like metal braces, they are extremely comfortable to wear and very efficient at moving teeth.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligner treatment is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces. This treatment modality uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. How does it work? These removable aligners are a series of clear overlay templates that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Christy has prescribed. Total treatment time averages 18 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.