Types of Braces

Thanks to today’s advances in orthodontic technology, Up North Orthodontics can provide our patients with the best options when it comes to wearing braces. This page gives a brief summary of some of the more common types of appliances we use in our office.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger than metal braces. The drawbacks to ceramic brackets are that they are also more fragile and they can discolor with rubber bands, certain foods and smoking.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal brackets are used today by many orthodontists. These brackets are fairly large and rubber bands (elastics) are used to hold the wires in place. These rubber bands attract a good deal of plaque and are therefore not the best option for keeping your teeth clean.

Self-Ligating Braces

Up North Orthodontics is pleased to offer self-ligating braces. This system of braces utilizes a slide mechanism to hold the archwire, reducing the amount of pressure on the teeth. This allows the teeth to move more freely, quickly and comfortably! And as there are no elastics to be replaced, fewer adjustments are required. Dr. Spencer will determine during your evaluation if this treatment is right for you.

Invisible Braces

Clear appliances, such as Invisalign, use a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth. And, no one can tell you are wearing those aligners because they are invisible! Not only are the aligners invisible, but they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.