Types of Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontic braces date back to ancient times, as Greek scholars Hippocrates and Aristotle spoke of braces being used to straighten teeth. They are used to correct various conditions of the teeth, such as crowding, overbites and crooked teeth in children and adults. Most of these conditions are not life-threatening; however, they are not aesthetically appealing and make people feel self-conscious. With the passage of time, different types of orthodontic braces developed to correct these dental flaws.

Metal Dental Braces

• Metal dental braces are the traditional types of orthodontic braces, consisting of metal attachments on the teeth attached to a wire. Wearers often experience discomfort, and orthodontists place dental wax over the brackets.

Ceramic Braces

• Detistry.com states that ceramic braces are the types of orthodontic braces that are clear or tooth-colored and less noticeable than their metal counterparts; however, they are not as strong as metal braces.

Gold Braces

• Gold braces are gold-plated stainless steel braces. These are the types of orthodontic braces chosen by patients as fashion statements.

Lingual Braces

• Cosmetic Dental Resources states that lingual braces are the types of orthodontic braces placed behind the teeth, not visible to others. Although these braces have aesthetic appeal, they sometimes irritate the tongue.

Invisalign

• Invisalign is a recent development in orthodontic braces, only in production for a decade. Instead of affixing braces to the teeth, a removable plastic aligner is placed over the teeth and helps gradually straighten teeth. They are used for people with minor dental alignment problems.