Types of Braces for Teenagers

Teenagers wear braces more often than any other age group because their permanent teeth have recently come in and the surrounding bones are the most flexible, according to the Cosmetic Braces website. Braces give teens the straight smile, professional look and confidence they will need in the adult world. There are different types of braces to help them achieve the results they want.

Metal Brackets

• These are the traditional brackets glued to the front of your teeth and connected with metal wire. Orthodontists consider them the best and strongest type for straightening crooked teeth or correcting bad bites. Typically, the wire attaches to the brackets with small colored bands that let you customize and add personality to your braces.

Ceramic Brackets

• These are similar to metal brackets but are made of tooth-colored ceramic material. They blend in with your teeth better than metal braces do and do not distract from the rest of your face. Ceramic brackets also have small bands connecting the wire to the braces, but you can use white or clear bands instead of colored ones to help them blend in better.

Invisalign

• Invisalign braces are thin, clear trays that fit directly onto your teeth. Unlike metal or ceramic brackets, they go unnoticed by others because they do not change the appearance of your mouth or teeth in any way. Invisalign braces work best for mild orthodontic treatments. Orthodontists do not suggest Invisalign for serious bite issues or really crooked teeth.

Lingual Brackets

• Lingual brackets are typically made out of metal and glued to the teeth like metal brackets, but they are placed behind the teeth instead of in front. This arrangement corrects your crooked teeth and bad bite without letting others know you have braces. Not every orthodontist offers this type of bracket placement, and treatment can take longer and cost more.