Types of Braces in Alameda, CA

Metal braces remain the most widely used and most versatile orthodontic appliance. Made from high-grade stainless steel, today's brackets are significantly smaller and more comfortable than those used even a decade ago. Metal braces correct the broadest range of cases, including complex crowding, deep bites, open bites, and significant rotations that clear aligners cannot address as predictably. They are also the most cost-effective option and require no compliance on the patient's part, which makes them a strong fit for younger patients. Most metal braces cases in our practice run between 18 and 24 months, with adjustment visits scheduled every six to eight weeks.

Ceramic braces work the same way metal braces do, but the brackets are made from a translucent material that blends with your natural tooth color. This makes them a popular choice with adults and older teens who want the reliability of fixed braces without the visibility. Ceramic brackets are slightly larger and more brittle than metal, so they call for a bit more care around hard foods, and the clear elastic ties are replaced at each visit to keep them from discoloring. Treatment time is comparable to metal braces.

Self-ligating brackets use a built-in sliding clip instead of elastic ties to hold the archwire in place. This reduces friction as teeth move and often means fewer adjustment appointments over the course of treatment. Self-ligating brackets are available in both metal and clear finishes and are well suited to patients who want to minimize chair time without extending their overall treatment length.

The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay templates—called aligners—that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adolescent and adult patients with certain orthodontic bite problems. Ask us if you are a candidate for the Invisalign system. Learn more about Invisalign in Alameda.