1. INTRODUCTION TO CLEAR BRACES
2. CERAMIC VERSUS PLASTIC BRACES
Material Composition Differences
Structural Strength (Resisting Deformation) Differences
Staining Differences
Effectiveness Differences
3. ESTHETIC WIRES WITH CLEAR BRACES
INTRODUCTION TO CLEAR BRACES:
Clear braces are an esthetic option to silver braces. While clear braces are still visible (because they are on the outside of the teeth), they are much more attractive than silver braces.
CERAMIC VERSUS PLASTIC BRACES:
Material Composition Diffferences
Ceramic braces are far superior to white Plastic braces for multiple reasons. All reasons stem from the basic material composition of the braces. Ceramic braces are made from Aluminum Oxide, while Plastic braces are made from Polycarbonate.
Structural Strength (Resisting Deformation)Differences
Resistance to deformation of the manufactured form is important, because any deformation undermines the final position of the teeth. Ceramic braces are far stronger than plastic braces and even metal braces in resistance to deformation. This may surprise you, because most orthodontists describe these braces as "fragile."
Actually, ceramic braces ARE fragile in certain ways (such as high energy impact fracture - think dropping a fine china plate). But they are actually more resistant to deformation (from eating or internal flexing from the orthodontic wire) than any metal or plastic braces. As such, ceramic braces may BREAK (fragile), but do NOT DEFORM (high structural integrity).
Plastic braces are extremely weak. They do not break (not fragile), but they do not withstand the forces that the orthodontic wire is trying to exert on the tooth THROUGH THE BRACKET (low stuctural integrity). The bracket must be a non-flexing (no shape change) handle on the tooth. Plastic braces flex terribly, warp after being exposed to hot drinks, and quickly lose any real capacity to control the spatial orientation of he tooth.
Staining Differences
Ceramic braces do not stain at all. They can be submerged in red wine for years and will never absorb color.
Plastic clear braces stain quickly. The surface nature of plastic is porous. The molecular nature of a plastic fiber is also porous. As such, plastic is excellent at absorbing color (i.e. staining).
Effectiveness Differences
There is no question that ceramic braces are fantastically effective at accomplishing quality orthodontic treatment. There is also no question that plastic braces are exceptionally poor at accomplishing quality orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, both are referred to as "clear" braces, which creates confusion.
If you are looking for esthetic braces, seriously consider clear CERAMIC braces, and avoid clear PLASTIC braces!
ESTHETIC WIRES WITH CLEAR BRACES:
Esthetic wires are white. More specifically, an inert white colored phenolic coating is placed on the outside of a silver wire (surface treated to adhere to the phenolic bond).
White wires in clear braces are quite esthetic. Unfortunately, there are very few wires available by different manufacturers. As such, orthodotists are forced to utilize silver wires in clear braces.
White wires may also flake off the white phenolic, exposing the silver subsurface. This usually happens if the patient is an aggressive tooth-brusher.
Even with silver wires in clear braces, the esthetics of clear braces are far greater than silver braces and silver wires.
VALUE FOR ADULTS:
There is no question that ceramic braces are the best value for esthetic adult orthodontics of all treatment options. Clear Ceramic braces are esthetic, effective, efficient, and relatively inexpensive.
Other treatment options are either less effective (Invisalign), significanltly more expensive (lingual/ ibraces), or unesthetic (metal braces). Clear ceramic braces are an excellent value for the adult!
