Metal is still the most popular material for braces, but today’s metal braces are more comfortable than braces in the past. Traditional metal braces straighten teeth using stainless steel brackets and archwires. At Smileworks Orthodontics, patients have the option of adding elastics, or rubber bands, to their metal braces for a personalized, colorful smile.
Self-ligating braces are identical in size to traditional metal braces, but these braces are available with the usual metal, transparent, or ceramic brackets. Instead of elastics, self-ligating braces use a special clip to assist the guidewire in guiding teeth into the proper placement. This system results in less pressure on the teeth, and fewer appointments are needed as there are no elastics to replace.
With self-ligating braces, Dr. Hussaini is still able to add elastics in your choice of color to the fronts of some teeth since we want our patients to be able to have fun and individualized braces.
Smileworks Orthodontics offers complimentary orthodontic consultations. Contact us at (703) 383-0090 today to find out more.
Made of transparent ceramic, these braces are well-suited for adolescent and adult patients concerned about cosmetic appearance. While ceramic braces are less visible than metal braces, they are also less durable. Therefore, patients with ceramic braces need to take particular care with oral hygiene. Ceramic braces are more commonly used on the upper teeth rather than the lower teeth.
Clear aligners offer convenience and discreetness. These acrylic aligners are invisible, comfortable, and removable. They come in a series, and Dr. Hussaini will provide a new aligner every few weeks. Patients can take them out for eating, oral hygiene, and playing sports. Clear aligners contain no metal parts, so they will not scrape the mouth. However, these aligners are not effective for all cases.
