Types of Braces
Types of Braces Offered at Our Office in Birmingham
At Orthodontic Associates, Dr. Hummon and Dr. Gebeck offer an excellent variety of ways to give you a straighter smile. In the video below, we go into more detail about the specific orthodontic services we offer, from traditional braces to Invisalign®. Request a complimentary initial consultation with us today to discuss with our orthodontists about your preferred course of treatment.The intended animation requires a newer version of Adobe Flash® Player. Please visit www.adobe.com to download the latest version.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces, and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
"Invisible" Braces
Clear appliances (such as Invisalign®) use a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth. And, no one can tell you are wearing those aligners because they are invisible! Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore "invisible" when you smile. Lingual braces are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth, and therefore the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.