Traditional metal braces remain the most commonly used type of braces today and are more comfortable to wear than ever before. Composed of high grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten teeth using metal brackets and archwires that are designed to exert a gentle constant pressure on the teeth in order to move the teeth into the desired position. Patients who have metal braces have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands).

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are less visible on your teeth than traditional metal braces. Typically, ceramic braces are reserved for adult or teenage patients who are concerned with the appearance of metal braces and prefer a more discreet treatment option. Ceramic braces tend to be larger and are far more brittle than metal braces and, as a result, tend to require far more attention to oral hygiene. For this reason, your orthodontist may recommend ceramic braces on the upper teeth and metal on the lower teeth.

Invisalign is a system of moving teeth using clear overlay templates called aligners. Aligners are generated by computer simulation and made of a transparent, comfortable plastic so they are virtually unnoticeable! Perhaps the greatest benefit to the Invisalign system is that the aligner trays are removable, making eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing considerably easier.