Types of Braces with Costs
To achieve a perfect smile, one needs to have straight teeth. That is something that only sometimes comes out naturally. Therefore, people often opt to go to the dentist and have braces put on their teeth. Braces are orthodontic devices that help straighten misaligned and crooked teeth with the help of wire and brackets. Dental braces can be used for functional and aesthetic reasons. They realign their jaw as well as perfect the patient’s smile. In this article, we will discuss the types of Braces with their Costs.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces, also known as “inside” braces, are custom-made brackets fitted to every tooth’s backside. A wire connects the brackets with the front teeth and then restores the tooth to the perfect position. The lingual braces must be adjusted every six to eight weeks. That helps in perfecting the teeth’ alignment. Lingual braces are ideal for older teens and adults who are not comfortable wearing the traditional braces attached to the front teeth. The average price for lingual braces will range between $5,000 to $11,000.
Pros
-They are easy to clean
-Less risk of decalcification
-They can be customized with the shape of your mouth
-They are virtually invisible
Cons
-It may irritate the patient’s tongue
-It may affect the speech for the first few weeks
-It may take longer to deliver results
-It is not ideal for severe cases
Self-ligating Braces
The Self-ligating Braces use clips and brackets to formulate a sliding mechanism. The system enables the wire to move efficiently on its own, bringing faster results, albeit with elastic bands. The materials used to make self-ligating braces are quite similar to classic braces but with a few improvements. The improved materials include the use of nickel-titanium and plastic. Most of the self-ligating braces are white, although colored models have been found in recent times. Self-ligating braces require adjustments every eight to twelve weeks. The price of these braces ranges from $4,000 to $7,000. These braces are suitable for adults, teens, and children.
Pros
-They are easy to clean
-They are affordable
-They cause less pain to the patients
-They produce faster results
Cons
-They may wear out faster compared to the classic braces
-They can be bulky on smaller teeth
-The design of the braces may offer less precision
-The brackets have a small chance of breaking.
3D Printed Braces – LightForce Braces
These braces can be individualized when realigning teeth to the perfect position. They use 3D-printed brackets, which are customized to fit your smile perfectly. Having been made with the latest technology, they are less bulky and are more comfortable as compared to traditional braces. The flexible materials they are made of make them feel more comfortable and less irritating than traditional braces. The LightForce braces also come with a rubber lining on the inside that improves the patient’s comfort while wearing the braces. The braces are available in various colors, and the price range is between $6000 to $7000. They are ideal for teens and adults, respectively.
Pros
-They are customized to fit your mouth perfectly
-They are comfortable for the patient
-The application process for these braces is direct and quick
-They are hard to notice as compared
Cons
-A little more expensive than traditional braces
Invisible Braces
These are braces made of clear plastic aligners that are custom-made for the patient. When worn, the clear plastic aligners are hardly noticeable. These braces should be worn for around 23 hours a day and should only be removed when one is having meals or cleaning the teeth. Just like metal braces, Invisalign treatment requires hospital visits after every ten to fourteen weeks. Their price ranges from $3,000 to $7,000. They are ideal for adults and teens.
Pros
-They are transparent and clear
-They can be customized to fit into your mouth
-They are comfortable to wear
-Easy to remove and clean
Cons
-You have to remove them when taking meals
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces come with a similar design similar to that of metal braces. However, the brackets of ceramic braces have the same color as natural teeth. They help realign the teeth using a technique that involves the use of metal wires that are lined with ceramic. The outer layer of the brackets is made using Inorganic and natural resin materials. Patients who wear these braces must visit an orthodontist every four to six weeks. They go for a price range of $4,000 to $8,000, making them a popular alternative to metal braces. They are ideal for adults as well as teens.
Pros
-It can be used for different types of misaligned teeth
-The ceramic braces are smooth and strong
-Require less time to work as compared to other types
-They are less noticeable as compared to metal braces
Cons
-Their elastic bands can stain with ease
-Patients with ceramic braces are restricted from some types of food
-Not easy to clean
Conventional Metal Braces
These braces use wires, metal brackets, and elastic bands to push the misaligned teeth to a perfect position. Patients with these braces must visit an orthodontist every four to six weeks to adjust the braces to a tighter position. With a price range of $3,000 to $6,000, these metal braces are an ideal treatment for teenagers and adults looking forward to aligning their teeth.
Pros
-They can fix even the most complex cases
-Their elastic bands come in various colors
Cons
-More visible than other alternatives
How to choose the braces that are perfect for you
With the advancement in technology, patients have more choices than before. This makes it hard for one to know the perfect kind of braces that they should use. Here are six tips to help you choose the right braces for your smile.
-The Treatment you need
This is a major factor that will impact your choice of braces. For example, a metal brace will be a better option if you only want a temporary solution to your misaligned teeth. However, if you want a permanent solution that is not bulky, Invisalign braces are the best for you.
-The Budget you have
The whole idea of wearing braces is to improve the aesthetics of your smile. It would help if you never compromised the aesthetics to save a few bucks. It would help if you got your braces from a reputable orthodontist who has all the necessary tools to fix your misaligned teeth in the shortest time possible.
-Space Between your Teeth
The number of bracket slots that you will require will determine the kind of braces to use. For example, you need to get a clear aligner with an increased distance between the teeth. This is because clear aligners are less visible than others.
-Your Gum Type
For example, if you have thick gums, then you need a type of braces that can penetrate through the gum. Therefore, clear aligners are more recommended for this kind of patient.
-Your Dental Appliance Use
From the commencement of treatment, you should always check with your orthodontist about any dental appliances that you will be using. This is because it may affect how you brush your teeth or how you clean your braces.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are different types of braces that one can choose from. Regardless of how misaligned your teeth are, braces could be the right treatment for you. Get a consultation from an orthodontist and explore the advantages of braces and how they can improve your smile.