La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – When it comes to orthodontic treatment, there’s a ton of information out there. There are many options for straightening your teeth and within those options, there are different brand names that you may hear. Dr. Robert Gire of Gire Orthodontics breaks it all down.
“When it comes to braces, there are four different ‘types’ that are available,” says Dr. Gire. “They are metal braces, ceramic/tooth colored braces, lingual braces, and invisible braces or removable plastic aligners. But in these categories are different types and brands – enough that if you’re researching on your own, you may find your head spinning.”
Metal Braces
Metal braces aren’t like the used to be – they are sleeker and more comfortable than ever before. Most orthodontists even offer self-ligating brackets that are tie-less, placing less friction on the teeth as they move to their new locations. Damon Smile, SmartClip, and In-Ovation are all brands of self-ligating braces that you may read about. Self-ligating braces use a special door or clip to hold the archwire in place. This means there may be fewer appointments because there are fewer adjustments needed (tie changes), but it also means your teeth may move quicker and more comfortably. Dr. Gire uses Damon Smile self-ligating braces in his practice.
Ceramic and Tooth Colored Braces
Many people want to reliability of metal braces, but without the visibility. Ceramic and tooth colored braces offer that. Just as with metal braces, there are a few brands you may hear about. Brands such as ICE, Damon Clear, Radiance, and Clarity may sound familiar if you’re doing your research. Dr. Gire uses ICE brackets and Damon Clear in his offices. ICE requires ties to hold the wire in while Damon Clear is an example of a clear self-ligating brace system. Patients who’ve chosen these two options love it because the brackets are smooth, resistant to staining, and they’re both very strong.
Lingual Braces
Incognito, ALIAS, Harmony, and Inbrace are brands of lingual braces available to orthodontic patients today. Lingual braces are metal braces that are placed along the tongue side of the teeth, making them invisible to others. Not every orthodontist offers lingual braces, because of the difficulty in placing them, and because they are traditionally known to be harder to get used to compared to other options.
Invisible or Removable Clear Aligners
If you’re looking for something that will offer the highest level of aesthetics, Clear Correct or Invisalign may be what you are looking for. Both options consist of a series of clear plastic aligners that fit over the teeth and place gentle pressure as they guide the teeth to their new locations. The clear aligners are virtually invisible, so no one will even know you are wearing them.
When it comes to orthodontic treatment there is a host of information and studying it alone can be confusing. Dr. Gire is always happy to answer questions and address concerns to help you understand all of the treatment options available. Call Dr. Gire today at (909) 393-9911 (Chino Hills) or (562) 690-1199 (La Habra) to learn more about all of the orthodontic options available to give you the smile of your dreams.