We still love them.
While a lot of orthodontists in Orlando are recommending Invisalign more often than braces, we’re still treating about 75% of our patients with this traditional treatment at Fravel Brewer Orthodontics. And with good reason.
Metal braces can fix even the toughest orthodontic issues, they are permanently attached to the teeth so you don’t have to worry about remembering to put them in each day, and they are much more comfortable than they were even a decade ago.
How they work
Moving teeth is a gradual process. The ligaments and membranes holding the teeth in place need to be adjusted in order for the teeth to stay in their new locations. Trying to speed treatment up too much would be ineffective and potentially quite painful.
Braces move teeth using a set of brackets and wires. The brackets are attached to the teeth with a medical-grade adhesive. Two wires are bent and connected to the brackets, one on the top row of teeth and one on the bottom row. As the wires attempt to return to their original unbent shape, the teeth are slowly shifted into place.
Silver braces
Also known as traditional or metal braces, silver braces are the most popular type of treatment, especially for tweens and teens. Consisting of silver brackets and wires, they shift the patient’s teeth to their ideal positions over a period of time.
We use self-ligating braces, which do not require small rubber bands around every bracket like regular braces do. Instead, each bracket has a small latch or gate that holds the wire in place around the teeth.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic, or clear braces, have the same parts as regular ones but are much less noticeable. This is because the brackets are made of clear ceramic instead of metal. The clear brackets blend in with the teeth, leaving only the thin wire visible when the patient smiles.
We have found they are a great option for patients who need the strength of brackets and wires, but also want their treatment to be more discreet.
How much braces cost
The cost of braces depends on what area of the country you are in, and even which orthodontist office you go to. Another important variable is what orthodontic issues need to be fixed—the more complex or numerous the issues, the higher the cost, generally.
Some practices may charge more adults, but at Fravel Brewer Orthodontics adult braces cost the same as for kids. This is only reasonable to us since the same brackets and wires are used for all of our patients.
To learn more about paying for braces, we encourage you to visit our finance page or schedule a free exam at our office.
