Ceramic braces are a wonderful alternative to the traditional metal braces as they are metal-free and look very esthetic as compared to metal braces. The mode of functioning of the ceramic braces is exactly the same as that of metal braces and hence the results are compared with both of these, the only difference being the material with which these brackets are made.
The main reason for people seeking the use of ceramic braces is their looks. It has got a great aesthetic appeal over the traditional metal ones. Brackets are the first thing that one notices when you smile or open your mouth for eating, for those undergoing orthodontic treatment. This makes one very conscious.
For people who are desirous of getting an orthodontic treatment done with braces but at the same time do not want to compromise too much on their looks, then Ceramic braces are the solution for those very patients.
HOW MUCH DO YOU CARE ABOUT HOW NOTICEABLE YOU ARE?
Every time you talk, smile or laugh you get noticed, people see your smile and judge. For those undergoing orthodontic treatment with ceramic braces, they make sure the braces assembly is less noticeable from a distance and also gives you that confidence that seems to have shrunk with wearing braces and wires in the mouth.
Attending events, meetings, job interviews, occasions, weddings, all becomes better with the use of ceramic braces when compared to the metal ones.
Self-Esteem is boosted and a very powerful signal is sent across to the people, that you make superior choices and well-appreciated ones too.
What are the ceramic braces made of ??
Ceramic is very popular amongst dentists. You may have heard about crowns, bridges, veneers, and braces made out of ceramic. The optical properties of ceramic resemble that of dental enamel very closely. The light passes through the ceramic as it does with the enamel. That means it’s translucent enough. Ceramic braces as they are used in the oral cavity for long durations and have to be strong enough against masticatory forces, they are made from high-quality porcelain that is completely biocompatible at the same time have excellent properties of load-bearing. But extreme forces or heavy biting loads may fracture these where they are present in thin sections like bracket hooks/wings.
The components that comprise the ceramic brace assembly are:
- Ceramic Brackets: Brackets are small appliances attached to your teeth and become visible when you smile or open your mouth for speech. These are made of porcelain/composite/plastic (acrylic braces) and serve as the base for force application. These brackets like metal brackets are also attached to the teeth with the help of dental resins. Ceramic braces contain either metal slots through which an archwire passes or they can be completely metal-free and may contain ceramic slots only.
- Wires: These are the active components that exert force in the brackets and result in the desired tooth movements. The wires used with the ceramic braces varies based on the orthodontist and the patient’s preferences. Metal wires (Stainless Steel / Titanium wires) may be used for active tooth movements. Apart from these Teflon coated wires/ WHITE wires are also available with ceramic braces that give almost inconspicuous appearance to these braces.
- Orthodontic Ties / Ligatures : Also commonly known as rubber bands or O-rings, these are simply elastics that are used for holding archwires into their places in the bracket slots. Ligatures come in a variety of wonderful colors and our patients can choose the color of their ligatures at every appointment, when they are replaced with the new ones. These are the passive components of the braces assembly. With ceramic braes, few patients prefers white o-rings. Few prefer transparent ones. There are also many patients who prefer contrasting colors with these braces. This is completely on patients' personal choice and preference.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON CERAMIC BRACES
What’s the age limit for wearing ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces are favorites for adults and children alike. Usually, adults above 18 years prefer ceramic braces over traditional metal braces due to their higher aesthetic value. If the periodontal health of the patient is good and there is a presence of good bone support around the teeth, then the ceramic braces may be used in a diverse age group of 12yrs-70yrs old patients.
Are Ceramic braces tough enough?
Metal is stronger than ceramic. It’s a fact. Ceramic braces tend to fracture under high stresses and on contact with hard materials as it's not a metal but a metal oxide that has the property of being brittle. The crack/chips that result in ceramic braces due to impact, may be the reason for them to be considered high maintenance brackets. Those patients who are into rough sports/contact activities should consider other options.
Do Ceramic braces take a longer treatment time?
Ceramic braces take a marginally longer treatment time. This is attributed to the friction caused between the arch wire and the bracket slot that is more compared to metal brace system. Therefore lesser forces are applied and hence more treatment time is required for the same corrections.
Can I match the brace's color exactly to my teeth?
Though ceramics are partially transparent their translucency can be adjusted based on the shade of your teeth by changing the composition of fillers and stains in the material composition. This way there are different shades available for these braces which can be matched according to your teeth color.
Do Ceramic braces Stain?
If the braces are from a trusted manufacturer then THEY DO NOT STAIN. However, areas around the brackets tend to harbor plaque and hence the staining may be seen around the brackets if not maintained well by the patient. Also, during bracket placement, if the excess flash (Resin cement that’s left around the bracket margins after bonding) isn’t removed, it catches stains from the foods and beverages and appears unaesthetic. At COSMODENT INDIA, we do regular cleaning and maintenance of these brackets and help the areas to be plaque and bacteria-free at all times.
Do Ceramic braces cost more than metal braces?
Yes, they do cost more than metal braces. But that also depends on case to case basis. Sometimes a simple case treated with ceramic braces may cost lesser than a complex case treated with metal braces. But usually, there is a marginal cost difference with ceramic braces costing higher than the traditional metal braces.
How long will the procedure take for a whole jaw replacement?
The surgery for one jaw typically lasts up to 45 minutes to an hour wherein implants are placed in one jaw followed by another. After this comes, the prosthetic phase where permanent teeth are fixed. The entire course takes about three days to be accomplished, and hence given the title, “teeth in 3 days”. Chances of delay are almost nil especially if the patient has no existing teeth in his/her mouth.
Do Ceramic braces interfere with X-rays/Dental Imaging?
If the slots of these ceramic braces are metal-free, ie. if they are complete ceramic braces then they do not interfere with dental imaging and there is ZERO distortion of images on radiographs with ceramic braces placed.
Can Ceramic braces be placed on Ceramic crowns?
Yes, certainly they may be placed on ceramic crowns or even on zirconia crowns with the use of silane coupling agents. However, the position of the brackets once placed can not be altered and they can only be removed by the fracture of the bracket at the interface.
HOW MUCH DO THE CERAMIC BRACES COST?
As Each Orthodontic case is new and different and NO two cases are alike, there are different severity variations in terms of the corrections needed for each patient. The cost of these braces depends on factors like the complexity of the treatment and the level of correction required ranging from minor simple crowding to severe crowding and proclination , posterior crossbites , tipped molars, anchorage considerations etc.
The charges also add up if there is a need for bone growth redirection using an orthopedic treatment and or myofunctional appliance treatment along with orthodontic treatment in growing children.
The also varies based on your location. In countries like Australia, Newzealand, Canada, the USA, Germany, etc costs are relatively higher when compared with India.
Your dentist after the diagnosis and the treatment plan will exactly tell you about the cost and the duration of treatment required.
Here is a rough estimate on how much they could cost in different countries:
- USA : $4,000 - 8,000
- UK: £2,000 – £3,000
- Australia: $5,000 to $8,500
- INDIA : $ 800 to $ 1500 ( Rs.55,000/- to Rs.1,10,000/-).