Types of braces
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type of braces and are smaller and more comfortable than ever. They are durable, easy to keep clean, and can be dressed up with different colored elastics bands for a unique smile every month.
Clear (Ceramic) Braces
Ceramic braces are the beautiful clear braces that match the teeth! The great thing about these is you can add colors and make them POP or stick with clear ties and have them blend in depending on what you have going on that month. While they are less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and more brittle than the metal. For this reason ceramics tend to be used more for older teenagers and adults usually on the top teeth more than the lower.
Invisalign® or Clear Aligners
Invisalign® /Clear aligners are a series of removable trays are custom made to hug and move your teeth a little at a time using plastic. The trays are removable which makes eating and brushing/flossing that much easier.
Types of Retainers
Clear Essix Retainers
Very similar looking to clear aligners, these clear plastic trays fit your teeth exactly as they are and hold them in place.
Hawley Retainers
Traditional retainers with acrylic that goes on the inside of your teeth and across the palate and a metal bar that lays on the front of your teeth. These are the most durable option.
Bonded Retainers
A bonded retainer is a metal bar or ribbon attached with glue to the tongue side of the teeth. These can either be used alone or many times in addition to the clear retainers.
Additional Appliances
Expander
A metal appliance that lays along the roof of your mouth and attaches to the braces on your upper back teeth. A key is used to turn the screw to widen out the appliance and the upper jaw.
Forsus
Small springs that attach to the cheek side of your braces in the back of your mouth that help push the lower teeth forward and the upper teeth backward to help achieve that perfect bite.
MARA
A MARA is an appliance used during the growth spurt that helps guide the growth of the lower jaw forward and help achieve alignment of the bite.
Reverse Pull Face Mask
An extra-oral appliance that is worn at night only in young children to help guide the growth of the upper jaw.