Types of Dental Braces

Metal braces

Metal braces are most popular with kids and teens.  To make them work, you put the braces on your teeth and link them together with a wire.  The wire is attached to the braces with elastic ties that come in a variety of colors.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are made of a clear material that is the same color as your teeth.
They work the same way as metal braces, but they are less obvious and harder to see.
Most people who don’t like the idea of Invisalign or lingual braces choose ceramic braces instead.

Self-ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces have a way to connect the archwire to the brackets that is built in.
You might also hear people call this system “self-ligating brackets.”

This ligation method is different from traditional braces, where the archwire is held in place by tiny elastic bands or metal ties attached to the brackets.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are like traditional braces in that brackets and wires are put on the teeth and in the mouth to fix the way the teeth are positioned. But lingual braces are different because they are almost impossible to see.
They are put on the backs of the teeth that face the tongue instead of the fronts.

Invisalign

A form of aligner that is used in orthodontic treatment is known by the brand name Invisalign. This aligner is clear and very thin.
The aligner is constructed out of a thermoplastic material known as SmartTrack, which is flexible. Each tray moves the teeth in small steps that don’t show. 

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, which are also called “invisible aligners,” straighten teeth and fix bad bites.
They are a convenient and flexible alternative to braces that are almost invisible and can be taken off.
The aligner trays are made of plastic that doesn’t contain BPA and are made to fit each person.