What types of braces are there and how they work, how do they differ, how to choose the right design for yourself? To understand this issue, you need to structure the options and decide on their advantages/features.
The first factor: when the doctor is used to working with certain braces
...Or he learned to work on ligature braces, then he becomes an adherent of the classic braces system. It happens that an orthodontist began his activity at the department as a resident, where everyone worked with a certain brace system, and he practically grew up on it. It can be difficult for a doctor to give up such preferences. But a professional and experienced orthodontist does not focus on one method of treatment, but knows and uses different techniques.
Second factor: cost
If the choice of braces is determined not by the doctor, but by the clinic, then the clinic can save money. It is much more profitable to buy cheap braces, but how to work with them is a question for the orthodontist. More effective and technologically advanced brace systems are already slightly higher in cost due to the fact that scientific developments, a huge number of studies, and articles have been invested in them. And the bracket becomes a tiny orthodontic mechanism, into which a large technological base is invested. The cost of such a product cannot, in principle, be cheap. An analogy can be drawn with untested dietary supplements and medications that have undergone many certifications. Therefore, at the Confidence aesthetic orthodontics clinic, we work with braces produced by Ormco and 3M Unitek - these are truly first-class and proven products. They carry two categories of advantages - both for the doctor and for the patient.
Advantages for the patient: treatment time is reduced, it can be treated without removal, in cases that previously could not be treated in this way, these braces are small, comfortable, and due to self-ligation, the patient can visit the doctor less often. Pros for the orthodontist: more complex cases can be treated faster, more comfortably, this is an amazing compromise of quality, time and finances. The most ideal compromise.
Prerequisites for bite problems in children
A visit to an orthodontist is a mandatory stage of medical examination for children and adolescents. The growth of the dental system is determined by various parameters: hereditary factors, environmental features of the region, bad habits of the child and psychological disorders.
Bad habits in children cause abnormalities in the growth and development of the facial skeleton and teeth. Prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking and insertion of the tongue between the teeth creates an open bite. Sleeping with your hand under your cheek causes misalignment of the jaw and teeth and causes the development of a crossbite. The infantile type of swallowing forms a distal bite. In such situations, it makes sense for parents to contact a child psychologist. An orthodontist corrects dental anomalies, but does not treat neurological and psychological disorders. After completing the psychological preparation of the child, parents and the doctor will have to choose a bite correction system.
Selection of braces according to the mechanics of orthodontic treatment
There are cases when the patient requests increased requirements for aesthetics and wants lingual braces. We, as orthodontists who know how to work with lingual braces, understand that a particular case is not optimal for treatment with internal braces; it will be more difficult and longer in terms of time, because the mechanics of the lingual technique are different.
The choice in this situation will always remain with the patient, but he will need to accept that in his case, high-quality treatment with lingual technology will affect the treatment period and will be 6-10 months longer, because specifically in his individual case, mechanics with external braces will be faster .
The same situation arises when a patient chooses lingual braces for work involving active speech. The orthodontist is always obliged to warn that the work may suffer at first, because lingual technique greatly affects diction.
It happens that in adolescents with a high level of demineralization, lingual technique is even recommended, because the inner surface of the teeth will not have the same risk of stains and caries after braces are removed.
There are cases when it makes no difference to the orthodontist which bracket system to treat the patient with.
Therefore, the choice of braces depends not only on the patient, but also in some ways on the doctor, what he knows how to do, what he is used to, what the patient’s case is. The best option for both parties is to find a compromise.
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When deciding on the use of orthodontic structures, patients are often interested in how long they wear braces on their teeth.
What are the hidden factors when choosing braces?
At the Confidence clinic, all orthodontists are professional in any technique and work equally well with any type of braces. But if we offer 15 braces options, then it's worse for the patient. The most comfortable thing is to offer roughly 3-4 options, based on key queries and restrictions.
As a rule, the orthodontist understands well the technical nuances of each brace system; for example, on cheap braces, the locks may open or may not hold the arch. For the doctor, the convenience is that the lock still works, opens and closes, even after two years of treatment. Many braces open and close well for the first six months, and then problems begin. The lid is loose or jammed. Treatment simply will not progress in a month. The orthodontist will have to reinstall and close the locks.
High-quality braces mean the reliability of their work, when for the patient the treatment process goes as planned, and not as it turns out depending on the nuances that arise.
For example, Clarity braces are quite decent and pleasant to use. It’s impossible to say that Inspire Ice is better or worse. Both bracket systems have good ligature wings, they also work well and are about the same in cost. A good product, no matter whether it’s braces, food or cosmetics, is never cheap. There are other braces that are just as good, but they won’t cost any less. On the other hand, there are braces that are actually sold “by weight”; they are often used to attract patients to cheap promotions. There is a different steel and deformation after removal, but using such braces, it is difficult for the doctor to solve complex clinical problems, sometimes it is only possible to achieve teeth alignment.
In this sense, there is a fundamental difference between cheap and more expensive braces. And a good orthodontist will naturally take care of the patient’s health and his reputation. The reliability of the design of the Damon braces system has been tested by time; they are truly convenient for both the doctor and the patient.
Sometimes in economy segment clinics you can find outright imposition of certain braces. Why is this happening? Not every such clinic can afford a large supply of braces in stock - this means additional storage space and large frozen amounts. Then the doctor strives not to let the patient go without installing braces from those in stock.
If any brace system is suitable for the patient according to indications?
In this case, we recommend that the patient choose based on aesthetics. The cost will depend proportionally on it. The more invisible the braces, the slightly more expensive they are. Therefore, the patient can choose clear sapphire braces, where activation occurs once a month, or clear ceramic Clear braces, where activation occurs once every 2 months. The most invisible braces - lingual - are placed on the inside of the teeth, they are activated once a month, and they are not visible at all. Their specificity is a slightly longer adaptation period. But the patient chooses, including the financial part that is comfortable for him.
Treatment times also depend on aesthetics - they are slightly longer with transparent systems. The fastest orthodontic treatment occurs with external metal braces
For a patient for whom aesthetics is not important, the orthodontist installs the brace system that works the fastest. Optimally – Damon Q self-ligating braces.
They are also recommended for complex work, with large movements and distances. This is the most reliable option if there is serious work to be done, and not just a small correction. During this time, ceramic braces are still at risk of chipping. Therefore, the patient needs a durable, reliable brace that can withstand this big, challenging job. This is possible with sapphire and ceramic braces, but it will be more difficult and longer. In such situations, it is preferable to choose not ligature metal braces, but self-ligating Damon or even Insignia Damon Q, individually manufactured using digital orthodontic technology. This is the best that an orthodontist can offer his patient.
Damon Q braces
What are the disadvantages of ligature braces?
The main disadvantage is more frequent meetings with the orthodontist. The rubber bands on braces require constant replacement. They swell, sometimes change color, can fly off, and over time they control the arc less. For the patient this is not as important as for the doctor, except that for the patient the activation takes longer. Technically, working with ligature braces is more difficult, and they have less control over the process. But for the patient, this is a matter of more difficult hygiene, frequent visits and the duration of treatment in principle. Modern orthodontics is increasingly moving towards self-ligating systems.
Final table comparison of types of structures
| Type of design | Peculiarities | Price |
| Metal | Easy installation. Minimum cost. High efficiency. Noticeable. | The most affordable. |
| Ceramic | Matched to the color of the teeth. Unnoticeable. Durable. Effective due to good adhesion. | Lower than sapphire, lingual, non-ligated, but higher than metal ones. |
| Sapphire | Transparent. Almost invisible. Do not cause allergies. Durable. Suitable for snow-white teeth. | Higher than metal ones, not much higher than ceramics. |
| Lingual | Completely invisible. Effective treatment. Longer addiction. | Premium class |
| Self-ligating | Comfortable to wear. Do not require frequent visits to the doctor. Aesthetic. Can be made from different materials. Speed up treatment. | Premium class |
What is the difference between Inspire Ice clear sapphire braces and Damon Clear ceramic braces?
These bracket systems have different biomechanics. Sapphire braces are ligature braces, and ceramic braces are a passive self-ligating system. Therefore the principle is completely different. With ceramic braces, the patient visits the orthodontist once every 2 months in the initial stages, and with sapphire braces - once a month.
Damon Clear
Inspire Ice
In what situations are lingual and vestibular braces combined?
Basically, when the patient wants to make the orthodontic treatment process invisible to others. Also, sometimes placing a brace system on the lingual, inner surface is due to the immaturity of the enamel in adolescents or the presence of demineralization spots on the outer surface, where the risk of caries is higher.
TOP 10 best systems
- Damon
- Alexander
- In-Ovation
- Insignia
- Empower
- Marquis
- Master and Mini Master
- Sprint
- Orthos
- Victory
Important! If you have possible allergic reactions to metals, the following designs are definitely suitable for you: titanium Orthos, as well as nickel-free Quick and Sprint.
When compiling this rating, we took into account efficiency, price, prevalence in the Russian market, degree of fixation on the teeth (use of a mesh or porous base to use more adhesive glue), and the presence of low-profile and highly polished plates.
Next, we’ll look at why exactly these bracket systems were included in the rating of the best.
Which braces do men choose and which braces do women prefer?
Lingual braces are most often chosen by men in leadership positions and women who are sensitive to the aesthetics and invisibility of braces. Men respond better to Incognito internal braces because they are willing to invest in their health and smile, while keeping orthodontic treatment a secret. In addition, men are impressed by German technology and reliability.
If invisibility does not play a role, then men more often choose advanced digital technologies Insignia and braces, which, like a good suit, are made individually. Insignia is the male choice, since they are aimed at high technology, they are interested in it, they believe in it. Women for whom aesthetics and invisibility of the treatment process are especially important often choose transparent braces such as Inspire Ice (sapphire) or Clear (ceramic). In general, at Confidential we always try to find a compromise between aesthetics and functionality.
