When you think of ceramic, you probably picture plates and bowls, or even bathroom tiles. Orthodontic ceramic braces may not immediately come to mind. But, did you know ceramic has been used in dentistry for decades to make realistic veneers, crowns and bridges? More recently, it’s been used to create tooth coloured brace brackets.

Ceramic braces are almost identical to traditional metal braces, but with one critical difference: the brackets are made from clear or tooth-coloured ceramic.

Ceramic braces are often referred to as ‘clear braces’ or ‘clear fixed braces’. At Orthodontic Gallery, we offer a choice of clear braces, including Damon Clear. Their discreet brackets are also stain-resistant, so they should stay ‘incognito’ throughout your treatment.

The pros of ceramic braces

• Very subtle compared to their metal counterparts
• They can be more effective than clear aligners at treating specific misalignments, for example severely rotated teeth
• Some individuals are allergic to metal, making ceramic a welcome (and necessary) alternative
• You can mix and match ceramic braces with metal braces or hidden lingual braces according to your budget and preference

The cons of ceramic braces

• Typically cost a few hundred pounds more than conventional metal braces
• Ceramic is less robust than metal, so it can be more likely to break or fracture
• They’re not an option on your lower teeth if you have a very complete overbite
• The brackets can sometimes be larger than metal brackets, although the difference is usually small
• If your braces use elastic ligatures to hold your archwires in place, these can be susceptible to staining (you can opt for self-ligating clear braces if this is a concern)

Discreet alternatives to clear braces

Ceramic braces are a fantastic evolution of metal fixed braces. But, if they’re not for you, we have other options.

If you’re not sold on fixed braces, you might be a good match for Invisalign^©. It transforms teeth using transparent, removable aligners. It’s very unobtrusive, and you can take your aligners in and out with ease.

If you’re looking for something really inconspicuous, then lingual braces are the answer. Lingual braces are fixed to your teeth throughout your treatment, but, importantly, we fit them behind your teeth.