Do Ceramic Braces Take Longer Than Metal?

After the orthodontist examines your teeth, they can make an educated guess about how long the treatment will last. The average treatment time with metal braces is about 20 months, and ceramic braces can generally last from one year to three years. However, the difference is that patients can maintain a more aesthetic smile with ceramic braces. While they are an attractive alternative, they aren't as durable as metal braces and may need replacement brackets due to daily wear and tear.

Every person has a unique response to orthodontic appliances, and your orthodontist can give you an estimated schedule for any type of orthodontic treatment.

Clear braces

tend to be slightly larger than standard metal brackets, making them more difficult to clean and leading to hygiene problems and calcium damage if not cared for properly. Stained ties should be replaced at scheduled appointments, as they cannot be cleaned. Additionally, some dental insurance holders don't cover ceramic braces.

Braces of any type are designed for people who have all of their permanent teeth and, for the most part, have stopped growing. Ceramic braces can take anywhere from a year and a half to three years to successfully straighten teeth, while metal braces can take between a year and three years. Clear braces can transform your teeth and give you the smile you've always wanted, but settings with transparent orthodontic appliances are sometimes smaller, which can increase the total treatment time. For working professionals or college students, ceramic or transparent orthodontic appliances are as effective as other treatment options.

Ceramic braces use polycrystalline alumina, which can be transparent or the same color as the tooth, and the flexible metal wire arch that connects the brackets can also be made of a lighter color for ceramic orthodontic appliances. Braces may not be covered if you don't use them for malocclusion or other dental conditions that adversely affect oral function. With ceramic braces, you now have a way to achieve the look you've always wanted without having to endure the embarrassment of wearing metal braces. The fundamental difference between transparent and traditional orthodontic appliances lies in the fact that the bracket is made of a transparent plastic composite instead of metal.

Once you put your braces on, be prepared for a more difficult time when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. This makes paying for ceramic or transparent products much more manageable by dividing payments into low monthly portions. What's even more important to know is that ceramic appliances can offer the same results as their metallic predecessors.