More Discreet Than Metal Braces
At Murray & Olson Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer ceramic braces to our patients in Visalia and surrounding areas! Also known as clear braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces, these work just like metal braces.
Our clear braces are designed to be less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. They're smaller than ever and made of nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material.
All About Clear Braces
Clear braces with Dr. Murray and Dr. Olson are designed to be less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. Many older teenagers and adult patients at Murray & Olson Orthodontics prefer this subtler option because you can achieve a great smile without the visibility of metal braces.
Ceramic braces are also referred to as clear braces, tooth-colored braces, or aesthetic braces. Dr. Murray and Dr. Olson use them to correct your bite and align your smile the same way as metal braces.
At Murray & Olson Orthodontics, they're smaller than ever and made of nearly invisible tooth-colored polycrystalline ceramic material.
These ceramic options blend in well with your natural smile. Though they're not completely invisible, and the brackets are about the same size and shape as metal braces, they’re much less noticeable for patients in Visalia and the surrounding communities.
Ceramic braces offer patients a discreet treatment option, but, they can sometimes be slightly more fragile and more expensive than metal braces. Because of this, Dr. Murray and Dr. Olson typically only recommend them for older teen and adult patients.
Blend in With Clear Braces
Ceramic brackets are a less obvious way to straighten your smile. This option is especially attractive if you’re an esthetic-minded adult or teen in Visalia and the surrounding communities.
Ceramic braces are perfect if you want an aesthetic treatment option but don't want the extra hassle of removable aligners and the responsibility of wear time.
Since our clear braces are self-ligating, Murray & Olson Orthodontics patients wearing them don’t have to worry about the additional hassle of elastic ties. In place of elastic ties, self-ligating braces use a specialized clip that helps the archwire guide the teeth into place.
You’ll also enjoy fewer adjustment appointments and less friction being placed on your teeth.
The Differences Between Ceramic & Metal Braces
Metal braces are known for their durability and strength. Ceramic braces are also tough, but they are made from a different, more fragile material that is more likely to chip or crack. Traditional braces are also better at tolerating pressure than newer ceramic ones.
If you need more drastic corrections, Dr. Murray or Dr. Olson may determine metal braces would be a better option. Adjustments with ceramic braces have to be slightly smaller, so it can take a little more time to align your teeth.
Having said that, both types of braces work on the same principles and tend to be equally as effective in most cases.
Maintain Your Smile
You may be worried about ceramic braces staining, but that hasn’t been a problem for several years. Ceramic brackets won’t stain. But, the adhesive used to attach the brackets to the teeth and the clear elastic ties used to hold the wires in can stain.
This can give an overall impression of discoloration or staining over time. You can choose to avoid things like coffee and tea, red wine, tomatoes, mustard, etc. to cut back on the chance of any staining. This isn’t necessary since we change your elastics at every adjustment appointment.
As long as you maintain a good oral hygiene routine and follow the treatment plan put in place by Dr. Murray or Dr. Olson, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about giving up your morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine.
Cost of Ceramic Braces
One of the biggest factors impacting the cost of your treatment at Murray & Olson Orthodontics will be the materials we use for your braces. At our office in Visalia, ceramic brackets cost a little more than metal brackets.
The good news is, at Murray & Olson Orthodontics we offer flexible payment plans, automatic bank drafts, and we will also check with your insurance company for orthodontic benefits. Our goal at our Visalia office is to give you an outstanding value for a reasonable fee.
Your treatment fee at Murray & Olson Orthodontics depends on the complexity of your orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Murray or Dr. Olson will determine a treatment fee that fits your specific orthodontic needs, and our team will do everything we can to accommodate you and your budget.
The work it takes to put your braces on, adjust them, and take them off must also be factored into the total treatment cost. Placing and removing ceramic braces demands more attention and technique from our experts at Murray & Olson Orthodontics and this requires more time.
Our treatment coordinators will be happy to go over the cost with you at your first free consultation at our office in Visalia.
Best Suited for Adults
After a thorough orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Murray or Dr. Olson, we can determine which treatment option will be best for you and your smile.
At Murray & Olson Orthodontics, we think ceramic braces are generally better suited to adults and older teens. This is because ceramic brackets are more likely to break, and they're more expensive than metal brackets.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Murray or Dr. Olson to learn if they may be right for you.