Metal Braces can make a fashion statement! With newer sleek, smaller and more comfortable metal brackets available, there is certainly something to smile about! Brackets are attached to every tooth and tiny rubber bands are used to hold the wire to the brackets. These rubber bands comes in rainbow colours and are changed at every appointment. Patients can change the colours to match their outfits, holiday seasons or even their moods!
Ceramic braces, which actor Tom Cruise had, are now mostly made from single ceramic crystals with modern manufacturing techniques. They are clear, smooth and blend well with the natural colour of your teeth to make it less conspicuous.
Ceramic brackets have, in past 20 to 30 years, evolved to be as efficient as metal brackets in treatment and provide one of the most affordable or cost-effective aesthetic options.
There are many types and brands of orthodontic brackets manufactured by different companies. Through the internet, many of these dental companies are now convincing patients the claimed superiority of their products and more patients are requesting for specific products based on these information. With so many new options now available, it is no wonder patients may be feeling a little overwhelmed and confused as every manufacturer will tout their products to deliver more superior results than others. Care must be taken in accepting such claims as quite often, they are not always substantiated by adequate scientific evidence.
In a nutshell, each system has its pros and cons and the best system is the one which the orthodontist is most comfortable with and relevant to the needs, budget and lifestyle of the patient.
It is the skills and experience of the orthodontist in managing the treatment, not the types or brands of brackets, that is of utmost importance.
At the end of the day, it is the competent and experienced driver of the car who will take you safely to the destination (and not what car you are in).