Dr. Leemin and the team at Hillsdale Orthodontics understand how important it is for you to feel confident and happy with who you are and how you can benefit from clear braces.
Do you find yourself holding back a smile or two throughout the day; when you look in the mirror, do you feel unsatisfied with the reflection of your smile? Are you unsure about your options but wish to start orthodontic treatment?
Today, we will take a look at wearing clear braces in Portland, the benefits, and all about orthodontic treatment in Portland.
What Are Clear Braces?
Clear Braces, also referred to as ceramic braces, work in the same way traditional metal braces do; they straighten teeth and fix bite problems.
However, clear or ceramic braces consist of clear or tooth-colored ceramic brackets attached to the surface of your teeth with similarly colored wires and rubber bands. These fundamental changes provide more discretion during your braces treatment in Portland.
When you have traditional metal braces, anyone who sees you smiling or talking will notice your braces. If you want the less obvious version of braces, clear or ceramic ones are the more attractive choice.
How Do Clear Braces Work?
Clear braces in Portland work the same as traditional metal braces. According to WebMD, braces work by applying pressure on your teeth over some time to move them slowly in a specific direction.
The bone under them changes shape, too. Your orthodontist will be in charge of adjusting or tightening your braces approximately every 4-10 weeks.
Keep in mind that every patient is different; hence your orthodontist will personalize your clear braces treatment to fit your smile needs. There’s no exact adjustment time that will suit everyone, and some additional considerations might also affect your treatment time.
Make sure to keep your appointments as scheduled by your orthodontist and follow their instructions for the best results.
Clear Braces Vs Metal Braces
Ceramic braces and metal braces use a similar design to achieve straight teeth and a healthy smile. The two main design variations of braces refer to those that use ligatures to hold an archwire or not.
The major difference we refer to in this comparison is the materials used to manufacture brackets and wires.
Traditional Metal braces use medical-grade stainless steel. However, ceramic braces use a ceramic composite developed for space exploration with NASA that can either be clear or the same color as your tooth.
Because traditional metal braces use a material that is extremely noticeable against the white color of your teeth, many patients prefer clear ceramic braces for discreet treatment.
Having stated the main difference between both types of braces, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of clear braces in Portland. Especially when compared to traditional metal braces.
Pros
- Clear Braces are less visible and more appealing than metal braces. The material used in clear braces can be either clear or tooth-colored.
- You can choose your colors. Metal braces only come in one color: gray (or shiny metallic silver, when it’s available). However, ceramic braces are available in nearly any color imaginable.
Cons
- Usually, ceramic braces are more expensive than metal braces. Ceramic braces can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 more than metal braces.
- Ceramic brackets are slightly larger than metal brackets. This can make cleaning around your brackets more difficult.
- Slightly less durable than metal.
- Clear braces may stain. Depending on diet and oral hygiene habits, the elastic ties holding the wire to the brackets can stain easily and remain stained until your orthodontist replaces them.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear Aligners are also known as Invisalign.
Invisalign is a system of clear, removable aligning trays that will gently move your teeth over time. When choosing Invisalign over other types of braces, it’s important to keep some things in mind.
Yes, clear aligners are more expensive than clear or metal braces in Portland; however, they have some exclusive benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Completely removable
- No diet restrictions
- Virtually Invisible to the untrained eye
- Requires fewer visits to your Orthodontist
Cost Of Treatment
When looking at the cost of treatment with clear braces in Portland, you must remember that the final cost varies depending on many factors.
Some of the things you should consider include the severity of your malocclusion, where you live, and the length of time needed to correct your dental issues.
No two patients or smiles are the same, so your orthodontist will have to craft a customized orthodontic treatment plan just for you.
According to the Oralb website, The cost of orthodontic treatment with braces can vary greatly for each type:
- Metal braces (traditional braces): $3,000 – 7,000
- Ceramic braces: $4,000 – 8,000
- Invisalign: $4,000 – 7,400
Added Benefits Of Orthodontic Treatment
We are all familiar with the usual benefits of clear braces treatment in Portland, which include:
- Better overall oral health
- A straight and beautiful smile
- A well-aligned bite.
But what are the added benefits? Probably the most important benefit is the one we tend to forget about. A visit to your orthodontist for treatment can help you become more confident in your smile, and you’ll have a major increase in self-esteem.
A healthy smile is essential to your physical and mental health. It plays a crucial role in how confident you feel and ultimately how sociable you are with friends, family, and colleagues. Likewise, orthodontic treatment can help with chewing and speech impairments.
So don’t wait any longer; Dr. Leemin at Hillsdale Orthodontics is waiting to help you take the first step toward the smile of your dreams. Call 503-744-6749 to schedule your appointment today, or better yet, come in for an in-person visit, meet our team and tour our office.
We look forward to giving you a signature smile provided by excellence.
