As orthodontists, we live and breathe braces
Braces are the main orthodontic appliance used by orthodontists to straighten your teeth and correct your bite. There are different types of braces and these will be discussed during your consultation to find the one that is right for you. Your orthodontist has trained for many years in order to provide the best treatment outcome with braces. Under the guidance of your orthodontist, braces are used to move your teeth with great precision.
Below is a brief introduction to the different types of braces that are used:
Stainless Steel Braces
These braces are made from polished stainless steel as the name suggests. The majority of orthodontic treatment in New Zealand is carried out with stainless steel braces. They come in a range of sizes and shapes and are not interchangeable, which is important to remember if you are transferring between orthodontists.
Porcelain Braces
These braces are made of porcelain and are designed to match the colour of your teeth. These braces are normally used on the upper smiling teeth for those patients who are self conscious about wearing braces. They do not add any advantage over stainless steel braces during use.
Lingual Braces
Orthodontists can provide adult orthodontic treatment with lingual braces. These braces are not visible when you smile because the braces are placed on the lingual surfaces (tongue side) of your teeth. During treatment with lingual braces your treatment visits with your orthodontist are normally longer than with standard braces, but the overall treatment time is similar to conventional braces.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners straighten teeth using a sequence of clear plastic aligner trays. This technique is best suited to patients with minor orthodontic complaints because there are significant limitations to the types of tooth movements that can be achieved.
