WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU GET BRACES
BY DR. TIM SCANLAN, DDS, MS
Buncombe County NC’s Leading Orthodontist
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child in western North Carolina, there are a few things you should know before you make that commitment. In this article, I’ll introduce you to the different types of braces and pros and cons of each type so that you can make the best and most informed decision possible.
What Are Your Priorities?
The different types of braces each have their pros and cons, meaning that you’ll have to decide what’s important to you when you get braces. If you’re considering braces for your child, those priorities will have to revolve around things such as ease of care and least likely to get damaged or lost, whereas your priorities as an adult may be different.
To start, you may want to consider the following questions for whoever is going to be getting braces.
- Do you need the braces to be easier to care for?
- How long will the treatment time be for each of your options?
- How comfortable will your braces be?
- Are you looking for invisible or hard to notice braces, or is that irrelevant?
- What does your budget, after insurance, look like?
These questions only scratch the surface and you can definitely seek out clearer and more complete answers from your Buncombe County NC orthodontist as the individual situation varies for everyone.
To give you an even better idea of what options you’ll want to talk to your Asheville NC orthodontist about, there are some pros and cons to consider for each type of braces. Weighing these pros and cons will allow you to get a good idea of what options are best suited for your situation before you even come in for your complimentary Smile Analysis.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Metal Braces
Metal braces, also called traditional braces, are the most common kind of braces as well as the most affordable. These braces are effective in pretty much every situation, including in extreme cases of misalignment.
Pros of Metal Braces: Easy to care for and affordable; strong and able to correct even extreme misalignment.
Cons of Metal Braces: Very noticeable; if you need braces that people can’t see, these are not the ones for you.
Ceramic Braces
Your next option is ceramic braces. Though former versions of ceramic braces would stain and not be as strong as traditional braces, they are now very comparable.
Pros of Ceramic Braces: Less noticeable than traditional braces with similar length of treatment.
Cons of Ceramic Braces: More expensive and the white elastics can stain.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are something a bit different as they attach to the back of your teeth instead of the front. These are great for people who need to look like they don’t have braces.
Pros of Lingual Braces: Looks like you’re not wearing braces at all; sturdy; custom.
Cons of Lingual Braces: Harder to clean, more expensive, and adjustments take longer. Some say they’re less comfortable and may cause a lisp or other speech issue. Not suitable for extreme cases or children.
Invisalign
Last but not least, Invisalign®. This is an invisible option that many adults choose to go with for a number of reasons.
Pros of Invisalign®: Invisible, you can eat and drink whatever you want, and the trays are easy to change out.
Cons of Invisalign®: Trays can get lost, are not suitable for children, and are more expensive.
Now what?
If you’re ready to find out what treatment option is best for you or your child, give TS Orthodontics in Asheville a call at 828.254.4602 for your complimentary Smile Analysis. Discover an orthodontic service that can work around your schedule before or after school or work. We offer same day appointments, too, and work with the most advanced technology available in the field. Give us a call! We’re here to help.
This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our practice would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
At TS Orthodontics in Asheville NC, we take great pride in providing you the best treatment options by having the most advanced technology available. With TS Orthodontics you can enjoy treatment times up to 29% faster than with traditional metal braces. We provide so many options from Invisalign® to SureSmile to even braces placed behind your teeth. During a 100% no-obligation and 100% free TS Orthodontics Smile Analysis we will assess yours or your child’s unique mouth.
TS Orthodontics in Asheville NC understands the importance of making treatment affordable. That is why we offer affordable payment plans with 0% down!
When you are ready, click here to schedule your TS Orthodontics Smile Analysis which includes a comprehensive exam, personalized consultation, x-rays, and even 3-d computer modeling ($249 value, yours free).