A Clear Alternative to Metal Braces
At Abenoja Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer ceramic braces to our patients in Vestavia Hills and surrounding areas! Also known as clear braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces, they work like metal braces. Our clear braces are designed to be less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. They're smaller than ever and made of nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material.
All About Clear Braces
These ceramic options blend in well with your natural smile. Though they're not completely invisible, and the brackets are about the same size and shape, they’re much less noticeable to people around Vestavia Hills, compared to metal braces.
Ceramic braces offer patients a discrete treatment option, however, they can sometimes be slightly more fragile and more expensive than metal braces. Because of this, Dr. Abenoja typically recommends them for older teen and adult patients.
Blend In With Clear Braces at Abenoja Orthodontics
Ceramic braces are perfect if you want an aesthetic treatment option but don't want the extra hassle of removable aligners and the responsibility of wear time.
Ceramic brackets are a less obvious way to straighten your smile when paired with clear, white, or tooth-colored wires and elastic ties. This option is especially attractive if you’re an aesthetic-minded adult or teen in Vestavia Hills.
Even though most of our Abenoja Orthodontics patients in ceramic braces love how discrete they are, we do have some teens and adults who like to use colored ligature ties. This gives braces an almost neon look because the colors pop off the clear brackets, creating a really unique look most people have never seen around Vestavia Hills.
Differences Between Ceramic & Metal Braces
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.
Adjustments with ceramic braces have to be slightly smaller, so it can take a little more time to align your teeth. If you need more drastic corrections, Dr. Abenoja may determine metal braces could be a better option.
Having said that, both types of braces work on the same principles and tend to be equally as effective in most cases.
You may be worried about ceramic braces staining, but that hasn’t been a problem for several years. Ceramic brackets won’t stain, however, the adhesive used to attach the brackets to the teeth and the clear elastic ties used to hold the wires in can stain.
Over time, this can give an overall impression of discoloration or staining. You can choose to avoid things like coffee and tea, red wine, tomatoes, mustard, etc. to cut back on the chance of any staining. This isn’t necessary since we change your elastics at every adjustment appointment.
As long as you maintain a good oral hygiene routine and follow the treatment plan put in place by Dr. Abenoja, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about giving up your morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine.
Cost of Ceramic Braces in Vestavia Hills
In our Vestavia Hills office, ceramic brackets cost the same as metal brackets.
We offer flexible payment plans, automatic bank drafts, and we will also check with your insurance company for orthodontic benefits. Our goal is to provide outstanding value for reasonable fees!
Treatment fees will vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Abenoja will determine a treatment fee that fits your specific orthodontic needs and our team will do everything we can to accommodate you and your budget.
One of the biggest factors that affect the cost of your treatment at Abenoja Orthodontics will be the materials used to make your braces.
The work it takes to put your braces on, adjust them, and take them off must also be factored into the total cost of treatment. Placing and removing ceramic braces are more sensitive to technique and require more time from Dr. Abenjoa and our expert team.
Our treatment coordinators will be happy to go over the cost with you at your first free consultation.
Best for Adults
After a thorough orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Abenoja, we can determine which treatment option will be best for you and your smile.
At Abenoja Orthodontics, we think ceramic braces are generally better suited to adults and older teens. This is because ceramic brackets are more likely to break, and they're more expensive than metal brackets.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Abenoja at our Vestavia Hills office to learn if clear braces may be right for you.