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Types of braces
At Styrt, we provide metal and clear Braces and Invisalign. If you'd like to know how they compare, have a look at the handy chart below.
| Metal braces | Clear braces | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Technology has made traditional metal braces more comfortable than ever before. | Clear braces have smaller ceramic brackets making them comfortable to wear. | Invisalign uses custom aligners which fit over your teeth and can be removed, so they’re extremely comfortable to wear. |
| Effectiveness | Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces are extremely effective in straightening your teeth. | Clear braces use the traditional method that metal braces do so are very effective in straightening teeth. | Invisalign has transformed the orthodontic industry. More than 5 million smiles have been improved with this technology. |
| Treatment time | Treatment time for each patient varies, but on average metal braces take 18-30 months. | Treatment time for each patient varies, but on average metal braces take 18-30 months. | Treatment time is less with Invisalign, and can be reduced even further with technology such as AcceleDent. Typical treatment takes approximately 18-24 months. |
| Visibility | Traditional metal braces are extremely visible as the metal brackets are bonded to the front of your teeth. Patients can have fun by adding colored elastics to their braces. | Clear braces use ceramic brackets which are clear or blend in with the colour of your teeth, making them a very discreet treatment option. | Invisalign aligners are made from clear, plastic material which are virtually invisible. This means people won’t notice you’re having treatment. |
| Suitable for | All patients and orthodontic problems. | Older teenagers and adult patients. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene, as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth. | Teenagers and adults, and in some cases, young children. Because the aligners are removable, they don’t interfere in a patient’s lifestyle. Diets can remain normal and patients can continue to play sports and musical instruments. |
Book a free consultation at Dr. Paul J. Styrt, Specialists in Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry to determine which types of braces are best for you.