A comparison of the most popular types of braces.

Choosing the proper sort of braces is a vital step towards improving your smile. Today, there are numerous orthodontic treatments available, each with its own set of advantages and downsides. In this article, The East Rose Dental Clinic compares metal braces, lingual braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners (Invisalign), and self-ligating braces. We hope the information provided below assists you in making the best decision possible.

Learn About Braces

Braces, a common orthodontic method, correct the position of misaligned teeth, improving bite function, chewing, and providing a more aesthetic smile. The process of wearing braces typically lasts from 1 to 3 years, depending on each individual's dental condition.

Currently, there are various types of braces available to meet the needs and conditions of each person. Popular types of braces include metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners (Invisalign), and self-ligating braces. The choice of method depends on your aesthetic preferences, financial situation, and dental condition.

A Comparison of the Most Popular Types of Braces

With the rapid development of cosmetic dentistry, there are now many orthodontic methods available, suited to the needs and budget of each individual. Let's explore the strengths and weaknesses of each method to help you find the type of braces that best fits your needs.

Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most traditional method in orthodontics. This method uses metal brackets and wires to apply pressure, thereby moving the teeth into the desired position. Smaller brackets have recently improved metal braces, providing users with increased comfort. They remain a popular choice, especially suitable for cases of severe or complex misalignment.

Advantages:

• High effectiveness: Due to their strong pulling force, metal braces are highly effective for correcting severe and complex misalignments, with no limitations on the difficulty of orthodontic treatment.
• Low cost: Metal braces are the most affordable option, making them accessible to a wide range of customers.
• Shorter treatment time: The strong and stable pulling force often results in a shorter adjustment period compared to other types of braces.

Disadvantages:

• Poor aesthetics: Metal brackets and wires are evident, which can affect the appearance when smiling or talking, especially for individuals in service industries or those who frequently communicate
• Discomfort: Metal brackets may rub against the soft tissues inside the mouth, resulting in scratches or mouth sores.
• The brackets can easily trap food, necessitating meticulous oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay and gum inflammation.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are a technique that uses brackets made from ceramic material that closely match the natural color of the teeth, enhancing aesthetics. The archwire can be metal, but it may also be white to add subtlety. Ceramic braces are suitable for those who need orthodontic treatment but wish to maintain confidence in their appearance throughout the process.

Advantages:

• High Aesthetic Appeal: Ceramic brackets blend closely with the natural colour of the teeth, making them less noticeable when smiling or talking.
• Similar Treatment Effectiveness to Metal Braces: Despite their higher aesthetic value, ceramic braces offer comparable correction results to metal braces in most cases.
• Reduced Irritation: Ceramic is a relatively health-friendly material, reducing instances of irritation compared to metal materials.
• Quick Treatment Time: Despite using ceramic brackets, this method still utilizes archwires for orthodontic adjustments. Therefore, the treatment time can be relatively short.

 

Disadvantages: 

• Higher Cost: Ceramic braces are more expensive than metal braces due to the higher cost of ceramic materials.
• Fragility: Ceramic brackets are less durable than metal ones and are more likely to break or chip under strong pressure.
• Staining: Ceramic brackets can become discoloured if not properly maintained, especially for those who frequently drink coffee, tea, or smoke.
• Discomfort: Ceramic brackets are often larger than those used in other methods, which can cause discomfort for patients.

Lingual Braces
Lingual braces (also known as lingual orthodontics) are one of the most modern orthodontic methods, offering optimal aesthetics for users. The key feature of this type of braces is that the brackets are attached to the inside of the teeth (facing the tongue), instead of the outside like traditional braces. This helps to conceal the brackets, so others cannot see that you are wearing braces, providing more confidence in daily interactions.

This method is suitable for those who seek discretion during their orthodontic treatment, especially adults or individuals who work in environments requiring frequent communication.

Advantages:

• High aesthetics: The most outstanding feature of lingual braces is that the brackets are completely hidden inside the mouth, not visible when smiling or talking, which helps users feel more confident in their interactions.
• Similar effectiveness to traditional braces: Although the brackets are attached to the inside of the teeth, lingual braces still provide the same orthodontic effectiveness as traditional braces, with the ability to correct cases ranging from mild to complex dental misalignments.
• Suitable for many people: This method can be applied to most cases needing orthodontics, especially for adults or those who highly prioritize aesthetics.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: Due to the complex technique and the requirement for highly skilled doctors, lingual braces are more expensive compared to traditional methods like metal or ceramic braces.
• Discomfort in the initial period: Since the brackets are placed on the inside of the teeth, near the tongue, users may feel discomfort, bulkiness, or difficulty in pronunciation during the initial phase.
• Difficult to clean: The position of the brackets on the inside of the teeth makes oral hygiene more complicated, increasing the risk of plaque buildup if not thoroughly cleaned.
• Longer treatment time: In some cases, orthodontic treatment with lingual braces may take longer than with traditional braces due to the difficulty in adjusting and attaching the brackets.

Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces use special brackets with an automatic locking system for the archwire instead of traditional elastic bands. This system reduces friction between the archwire and brackets, allowing for smoother and easier tooth movement. Self-ligating braces are suitable for those who want to shorten treatment time and minimise the frequency of orthodontic visits.

Advantages:

• Reduced Treatment Time: Self-ligating braces accelerate tooth movement by minimizing friction, thereby shortening the overall treatment duration.
• Fewer Follow-Up Visits: Unlike traditional braces, which require frequent replacement of elastic bands, self-ligating braces reduce the need for regular adjustments, leading to fewer visits to the clinic.
• Less Pain and Discomfort: The automatic system lowers friction between the archwire and brackets, reducing pain and discomfort during treatment. Additionally, this method minimises the impact on the gums and soft tissues throughout the orthodontic process.
• Optimised Bracket Stability: The bracket sliding mechanism helps prevent slippage and deformation, enhancing the braces' stability and effectiveness.

Disadvantages:

• Higher Cost: Self-ligating braces are more expensive compared to traditional metal braces.
• Complex Construction: The design of self-ligating brackets is more complex, making them prone to damage or malfunction if not properly maintained. Therefore, they require skilled and experienced orthodontists for effective treatment.
• Less Aesthetic Appeal: Although they address some drawbacks of metal braces, self-ligating braces can still be quite noticeable when smiling.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign)
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic method that uses custom-designed clear plastic aligners. These aligners are removable and not fixed like traditional brackets. Invisalign is ideal for those who want to straighten their teeth without compromising aesthetics, particularly for adults and professionals who need to maintain a polished appearance during frequent communication.

Advantages:

• Optimal Aesthetics: Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, making it difficult for others to notice you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. This is especially suitable for individuals who prioritize appearance and work in environments that require frequent interactions with partners and clients.
• Convenience: You can remove aligners when eating and cleaning your teeth, eliminating the challenges that come with traditional braces.
• Less Irritation: Without metal or wires, Invisalign does not cause the friction or irritation often experienced with traditional braces, making it gentler on the gums and cheeks.

Disadvantages:

• High Cost: Invisalign is the most expensive orthodontic treatment option available.
• Not Suitable for Complex Cases: Invisalign is effective only for mild to moderate cases of misalignment and is not suitable for severe cases or serious bite issues.
• High Compliance: The user must wear aligners for at least 22 hours a day to achieve the best results, which requires a significant commitment and discipline.
• Longer Treatment Time: Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign may have a longer treatment duration, generally around 6-8 months longer.

Choosing the Right Type of Braces for your needs

Each type of brace has its advantages and limitations. The key is to understand your needs and select the braces that best match your criteria. Here are some specific cases from The East Rose Dental Clinic to help you make an informed choice:

• Budget-friendly and effective: If you have a limited budget but want to achieve maximum results in orthodontic treatment, metal braces are the best option. They are the most cost-effective method and suitable for correcting a wide range of dental misalignments, from mild to complex cases.
• Aesthetic priority with a higher budget: Ceramic braces are an ideal choice if you want to maintain a natural smile throughout treatment and don't mind spending more. Though they are more expensive than metal braces, ceramic brackets blend well with your natural tooth colour, enhancing your confidence during conversations. They also reduce the likelihood of mental irritation to the gums.
• Completely invisible and highest aesthetic: If you are an adult or work in a profession where discretion is crucial and prefer not to have visible braces, clear aligners (Invisalign) are the most suitable option. The nearly invisible aligners offer maximum comfort and aesthetics. However, they come with a higher cost and are best suited for mild dental misalignments.
• Faster treatment with fewer visits: If you have a busy schedule and want to minimise treatment time and the number of orthodontic appointments, self-ligating braces are a good choice. Their automatic system reduces friction, allowing for quicker tooth movement and fewer visits to the dentist for adjustments.

Read more: How much do braces cost in Vietnam? What makes braces price change?

Each type of braces comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, catering to different needs and dental conditions. Beyond selecting the right type of braces, The East Rose Dental Clinic advises you to maintain proper oral hygiene throughout your treatment. This will help ensure optimal orthodontic results in the future.