Choosing between the many types of braces is just as important of an investment decision as choosing where to go for a family vacation. Okay, maybe vacation is usually more fun than braces, but your best smile investment is worth the results and will last a lifetime. With the many advanced options available, you can likely plan your new smile and your next vacation without sacrificing your budget or lifestyle.
Luckily, we also live in a time where orthodontic treatment can be fun, too; at least with Foothill Orthodontics, it can be. While Dr. Jeff Chandler, Dr. Brian Anderson, and their skilled team may not be able to help you narrow down where to adventure next, when it comes to the different types of braces, they have the experience and knowledge to guide you to the choice that best fit your smile needs. Don’t get yourself all worked up in an online search to compare the different types of braces. Our Foothill Orthodontics team has broken down each orthodontic treatment option so you can quickly determine the differences.
The Many Types of Braces
We understand that getting your teeth straightened with orthodontics is a big decision. After all, your smile is your first impression in life. Here at Foothill Orthodontics, we respect your reasons for wanting to improve your smile. We’ll work with you to ensure your orthodontic care with us is among the best experiences you’ve had. Our talented doctors love what they do, and it shows! With ever-improving dental technology, we assure you get the latest orthodontic treatments. Let us help you make the best investment in your smile!
Conventional Metal Braces
Metal or traditional braces have been around for many decades and are the original powerhouses of orthodontic treatment. Thanks to technological advancements in orthodontics, today’s metal braces are smaller, lighter, and much more effective at significant adjustment needs than their bulky predecessors.
Traditional metal braces work by attaching a metal bracket to the front sides of your teeth and securing those brackets together with an archwire. This archwire is held on by elastic ties that come in various colors for ultimate personalization. Every 4-8 weeks, your orthodontist adjusts the archwire to create slight but precise tooth movement for the desired outcome.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are an up-and-coming option similar to conventional metal braces. This ingenious option works just like metal braces, except this method swaps the metal brackets for clear or tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic brackets, making them virtually undetectable. Many teen patients have even found that bright-colored elastic ties can create an almost neon effect that really pops!
Metal braces are known for their durability and strength. Ceramic braces are also tough, but they are made from a different, more fragile material that is more likely to chip or crack. Traditional braces are also better at tolerating pressure than newer ceramic ones.
Invisalign
Clear aligners like Invisalign have gained popularity in the last decade as technology has made them more inconspicuous, efficient, and budget-friendly. Similar to the post-braces retainer trays they evolved from, Invisalign clear aligners fit comfortably over your teeth and make minor adjustments over time for patients needing simple corrections as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems like misaligned teeth, large overbite, no jaw alignment problems, or those who have gaps in their front teeth- an open bite. With this anonymous treatment option, your smile is the only thing they’ll see.
Invisalign for Teens
Here at Foothill Orthodontics, we also offer Invisalign for Teens. This adolescent aligner option places an inconspicuous dot on the back of the aligners to help keep your teen accountable for their time wearing them. It also provides extra space for molars that have yet to erupt.
InBrace Lingual Braces
This alternative works the same way as traditional braces, applying gentle, continuous pressure to your teeth to slowly shift them into the desired position. However, with InBrace lingual braces, the brackets are placed on the back of your teeth, making them completely invisible, even when you smile. This treatment can take anywhere from 6-30 months, depending on how severe your bite or crowding issues may be, but can be a great cosmetic alternative to standard braces.
How Do I Know Which is Best for Me?
We know it can be a tough decision, especially when there is no way for you to know what your tooth and jaw structure look like just from looking in the mirror. We will walk you through a complete oral examination when you come in for your initial consultation. During this tour through your teeth, we will take x-rays and photos to analyze your tooth shape, smile display, and all aesthetic aspects of your lips and mouth. This is done to show you how your smile would benefit from orthodontic treatment and to help us see the functional elements and needs of your teeth and jaws. We want you to know exactly how your face, jaws, and smile would improve from orthodontic treatment and the best way to achieve that goal.
Is Orthodontic Treatment Affordable?
At Foothill Orthodontics, our goal is to provide outstanding value for a reasonable price. While treatment fees vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment, we believe everyone deserves a beautiful smile! We offer flexible payment plans and accept most major insurances- even doing much of the benefits research work and coordinating your benefits with your insurance company for you. And, for those patients leaning towards the more aesthetic options like Invisalign or InBrace, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that most insurance now will cover much of the costs as it is now comparable to the costs of traditional metal braces.
Foothill Orthodontics has the options to make you smile!
Our compassionate team at Foothill Orthodontics in Salt Lake City, UT, is here to walk you through the plethora of orthodontic options available to get you the smile that matches your personality. Step by step, we will work alongside you and your family through the treatment and logistics options until we reach a perfect result for you or your child.
Whether conventional metal braces, clear braces, lingual braces, or clear aligners like Invisalign, we are dedicated to giving you the most-personalized care using the latest orthodontic technologies and treatments. We’ll treat you and your family like you’re our own! Schedule your FREE consultation to get a new smile created just for you!
