Ceramic braces (clear braces): An aesthetic alternative to metal dental braces.

Ceramic braces are an aesthetic option that an orthodontic patient may choose that offers a less visible alternative to traditional (stainless steel) dental braces.

Somewhat different than what their name might imply to some, ceramic braces only differ from traditional dental braces by the fact that the orthodontic brackets that are bonded onto the patient's individual teeth are made out of clear or tooth-colored materials. Ceramic braces still require a metal wire that runs across the patient's teeth that is bound in place on each bracket via the use of elastic bands. However, the fact that the brackets are white or translucent does make ceramic braces ("clear braces") less conspicuous and therefore a popular option with patients.

How does treatment with ceramic braces differ from traditional metal braces?

When ceramic braces are utilized, the orthodontic methodology associated with the patient's treatment is essentially the same as that with traditional dental braces. By their nature however, the ceramic brackets that are placed do have less strength and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. And because of this the treating orthodontist may feel it is necessary to slightly modify the patient's treatment plan when clear braces are used.

One of these changes is that the orthodontist may feel that they should use a lighter force when ceramic brackets are utilized, so to insure that the strength capabilities of the brackets is not exceeded. And because a more gradual force is used the patient's treatment progress will be slower. So it is possible that a tradeoff associated with of placing clear braces can be that the patient's total treatment time may be increased. However, as each new generation of ceramic bracket is developed, these difficulties associated with bracket strength become less and less of an issue.

What are ceramic braces (clear braces) made out of?

Most of the ceramic brackets on the market are made out of either polycrystalline or monocrystalline alumina. The primary difference between these two materials is their optical clarity. Monocrystalline alumina ceramic brackets have a more translucent (clearer) appearance where as polycrystalline brackets are more whitish (tooth-colored). The monocrystalline form of alumina is sometimes referred to as monocrystalline sapphire.

These two forms of alumina have been selected because of their superior physical strength and favorable optical and aesthetic properties. Because these ceramics are non-porous they are also resistant to staining and absorbing odors.

What are some of the brand names associated with ceramic dental braces?

The companies listed below each manufacture their own individual lines of ceramic orthodontic brackets. Each of these individual bracket brands will have their own unique characteristics. And for that reason an orthodontist may feel most comfortable working with only one or some of them, either in general or with any particular patient's case.

Certainly it is beyond the scope of a patient's knowledge to insist on the use of any particular brand. Especially considering that many of these products will share a very similar appearance, which is usually the primary concern of the patient. We have created this list primarily so a person can, in the advertising or other print that they see, identify those brand names that are associated with ceramic dental braces technique.