Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before.  They are made of high-grade stainless steel and other alloys.  Metal braces straighten your teeth using prescription slot mechanics and archwire design.  With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber ligatures) for a more unique and colorful smile.  These elastics hold (ligate) the archwire into the mechanical metal slot, thereby causing tooth movement.

 

Ceramic braces are made of clear or translucent materials and are less visible on your teeth than metal braces.  For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns.  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.  The ceramic brackets used in our practice are designed and patented by Dr. Feldman.  They are designed for speed and ease of maintaining oral hygiene.

 

Invisalign® utilizes a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth.  No one can tell you are wearing Invisalign because it is invisible!  Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment.  Additionally, brushing and flossing are much easier.  The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.  Please visit our Invisalign page to learn more about this amazing, cutting edge treatment modality.

 

Gold braces are similar to traditional metal braces in many ways.  They are made of stainless steel, but are uniquely coated in gold.  The gold coating may be considered a more cosmetic option than traditional metal braces, and the cost of gold braces is surprisingly comparable to most clear braces.