Ceramic braces or metal braces? What might be the difference? And which one’s better?
A popular alternative to traditional metal braces is ceramic braces. An orthodontist uses ceramic braces to help realign and straighten teeth, similar to conventional braces. But are braces made of ceramic better than metal?
Or a less costly alternative? The answers to these queries are a little less blatant than you would expect.
So, you may want to think about the following questions when deciding between ceramic braces and metal:
Do you care about how your braces are noticeable?
Traditional metal braces are very noticeable when you smile, laugh, or talk. It can make a person feel self-conscious. Especially if you have an important event coming up, like a wedding or a job interview, those feelings can be even greater. Ceramic braces are intended to be less visible, making them an excellent alternative to more conventional braces.
Ceramic braces are made of ceramic or porcelain, or plastic in some cases.
The brackets can be transparent or otherwise colored to be the same color as your teeth. Usually, therefore, they blend in much better with your teeth than metal braces.
While the wire itself was originally made of metal, it used to be that only the brackets for these braces were ceramic. Clear cables are also available, making these braces even less visible.
HOW ACTIVE ARE YOU?
For their durability, metal braces are renowned. Although ceramic braces are rigid, they are manufactured from another material. This material can chip or crack, unlike metal. To avoid costly repairs, you may consider using traditional braces if you play rough sports or take up any other activities where any contact is made with your jaw or mouth.
WILL YOUR INSURANCE COVER CERAMIC BRACES?
The cost of ceramic braces ranges between $2,000-$8,500, apart from scaling and polishing consumer sites such as Cost Helper, while traditional metal braces range between $3,000-$7,350. So there’s a comparable cost. That said, specific insurance plans may not cover ceramic braces, or you may prefer traditional metal braces. It is best to check this out in advance.
(If you don’t have insurance, there may still be some room for negotiation.)
DO YOU NEED BRACES?
Braces mean a beautiful smile for most people. But they can help to alleviate and avoid long-term health problems as well. Crooked or crowded teeth, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss, are hard to clean and maintain. Poor alignment of the jaw or tooth can cause abnormal wear of the teeth, inability to chew effectively, and excessive stress on the teeth-supporting gum tissue and bone. Braces can make you look and work better with your teeth and are easier to clean.
