A Comparison Of Lingual And Ceramic Braces
If you need to get braces, then there are a lot of decisions that you will need to make in the near future. There are several different types of braces, so you don't necessarily need to wear the metal apparatus that is most commonly associated with tooth realignment. To help you come to a more informed decision about the future of your teeth, here is a comparison of two of the alternatives to traditional metal braces: ceramic and lingual braces:
What are ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces are just like regular metal braces, but they are made of ceramic instead. This does result in several key difference, but the biggest is the appearance. Ceramic braces have a color that is very close to that of your natural teeth, so they will blend in quite nicely.
They will adjust your teeth just as quickly as other options, but the drawback is that they tend to cost a bit more than traditional metal braces on average. In some cases, the difference can be thousands of dollars, but that will mostly depend on your level of insurance and the prices that your orthodontist charges.
What are lingual braces?
Lingual braces are difficult to spot as well, but for an entirely different reason. Lingual braces are installed on the interior side of your jaw, meaning that they are not visible when you normally smile. When you open your mouth, they can be seen, but people probably won't notice that you even have braces unless you explicitly inform them.
What are the advantages of ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces are easy for your orthodontist to access, meaning that they can adjust, install, and remove your braces with relative ease. This means that you won't need to spend very much time in the orthodontist's chair, which can be a huge draw if you are particularly anxious about such things.
Of course, ceramic braces do also cost less than lingual braces, and the difference can be pretty large in some cases, so you'll want to talk to your insurance to figure out exactly how much they are willing to cover.
What are the advantages of lingual braces?
Lingual braces are a better choice when you are really concerned about the appearance of your smile since ceramic braces can still be seen if an observer is looking hard enough. With lingual braces, an observer will not be able to see your braces at all, as long as you don't open your mouth too wide.
Contact a local dentist, such as Timothy D Calkins DDS, for further assistance.
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