Most orthodontic patients don't realize that braces have come a very long way in the last seventy-plus years. The options you have now are not your grandparents' braces by any means. Mack Orthodontics, which offers braces in Eldridge, prides itself on offering our patients multiple options for orthodontic treatment and appliances.
Traditional Metal Braces
The go-to standard of braces is the traditional metal brackets and metal wires, of course. They may be covered by some dental insurance plans for anyone under the age of 18, but not for older patients. Determining how long they will need to be worn is based on what your orthodontist says in your Bettendorf orthodontic treatment plan. You will need to have excellent hygiene practices when wearing any type of braces, but this is especially true of metal braces.
Clear Invisible Braces
Clear invisible braces similar to Invisalign are removable. They slowly move your teeth into the correct positions over time and they have to be changed to a new set often. On the plus side, you can brush and floss more easily because you remove the braces to do so. Check for these braces at an Eldridge clinic.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of dental-grade ceramic. They are generally white or clear in color so that they blend in a little with natural tooth color. Some patients who receive Bettendorf orthodontic treatment prefer ceramic braces to a mouth full of metal because the ceramic braces don't feel quite as strange to them. These braces are also very strong, being able to withstand strong bite and chew forces. However, they are not as strong as traditional metal braces.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are semi-invisible because the brackets are not on the fronts of your teeth. The brackets are on the backs of your teeth.
The wires run through the brackets, which means that nobody can actually see lingual braces unless you have a noticeable gap in your teeth. Then a small part of the wire may be visible. Not every patient is a good candidate for lingual braces despite wanting to hide the braces while they are worn.
Additionally, lingual braces tend to be the most expensive. Unless the orthodontist has a very valid reason for requesting payment from insurance companies for these braces, the cost is often entirely out of pocket. Yet, most adults (who would have to pay out of pocket anyway) opt for lingual braces so that the braces cannot be seen during the treatment period.
Setting Up an Appointment in Either Bettendorf or Eldridge
Mack Orthodontics has two clinics to make things convenient for their patients. Please schedule your orthodontic consultation with either clinic today and see which of the above types of braces are right for you, or right for your child.
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