Straight teeth are an important part of one’s appearance, but not everyone is lucky enough to be born with a natural set of straight teeth. Braces are often necessary to achieve the desired look, but not all braces are the same. In fact, there are three different main types of braces: regular metal braces, Invisalign braces, and clear braces.
Metal braces are what often first come to mind. Placed on the teeth and linked together with bands, they are highly effective at treating most orthodontic issues. Metal braces have a somewhat dramatic effect on one’s appearance. This may be a negative for an adult who associates a mouthful of metal braces with an image of a teenager. In addition, one must give up gum and many types of chewy candy for the duration of treatment. Regular visits for tightening are also required.
Invisalign braces are a more recent development. This is a popular choice for adults who need to wear braces because they are nearly invisible, hence the name. With Invisalign, a mold is made of the teeth and a custom aligner is created. These plastic aligners are fully removable. As treatment progresses, new aligners will be used. Invisalign has the advantage of being virtually unnoticeable.
The third option is clear braces. In many ways, clear braces are a compromise between the first two options. Clear braces are simply traditional braces that are designed to be clear or tooth-colored. As a result, they share all of the positive attributes or traditional metal braces, but look a lot better.