Have you ever wondered what orthodontic braces are made of? Understanding braces materials can help you feel confident about your orthodontic treatment and what’s going on inside your mouth. Whether you’re considering braces for yourself or your child, knowing what’s involved can make the experience much less stressful.
This article will explore the materials used in clear braces, including wires, ties and custom options. Let’s take a closer look at what makes up clear braces.
To learn about what metal braces are made of, head to our article here: https://www.godleyfamilyortho.com/post/what-are-metal-braces-made-of
What are Clear Braces?
Clear, ceramic braces are a type of orthodontic treatment used to align the teeth and bite. These tooth-colored dental braces have been a popular choice for orthodontic treatment because they’re much less noticeable than metal braces. Clear braces work the same way as traditional metal braces. They can correct a wide range of orthodontic issues, including crowded teeth, spacing, and overbite. Because of this, they can be used for all ages. Many orthodontists offer clear braces for kids, teens, and adults.
What are Clear Braces Made Of?
Clear braces are made from ceramic, and were first introduced in the 1980s. Ceramics are a broad class of materials that include precious stones, glasses, clays, ceramic compounds, and metallic oxides.
All ceramic braces are composed of aluminum oxide. There are two main types: polycrystalline (a white opaque material), and monocrystalline (sapphire) which is nearly transparent.
How are Clear Braces Made?
Polycrystalline clear braces are made of sintered or fused aluminum oxide particles. They are manufactured by blending aluminum oxide particles with a binder so that the mixture can be shaped and molded. The mold is then heated to remove the binder and fuse the particles together. The braces brackets can then be trimmed, shaped, and perfected.
Monocrystalline clear braces are made from a single crystal of aluminum oxide. Single crystals of sapphire are produced by making a molten mass of aluminum oxide, then cooling it to allow crystallization. The mass can then be milled and trimmed into the perfect shapes of the braces brackets.
The most apparent difference between polycrystalline and monocrylstalline braces brackets is in their optical clarity. Polycrystalline tends to be more opaque, while monocrystalline tends to be more transparent.
What are the Disadvantages of Clear Braces?
Ceramics are known for their hardness. Their structure, however, tends to be brittle. Metals can be deformed without fracturing due to their atomic structure. When metals are stressed, a shifting and redistribution of atomic bonds occurs to relieve the stress. In contrast, ceramics have a lattice that does not permit shifting of atomic bonds and redistribution of stress. When stress reaches high levels, the bonds break and failure occurs. Because of this, clear braces are more prone to chipping and fracturing.
In addition, ceramic braces are harder than your tooth enamel. They could cause tooth wear or chipping of your tooth enamel if you were to bite down on them. To help prevent this, orthodontists typically place bite bumpers to prop the bite away from the lower ceramic braces, or offer to place metal braces on lower teeth.
How do Clear Braces Work?
There are three main components of orthodontic braces: the bracket, the archwire, and ligature ties. Braces brackets are the small, square parts bonded to the surfaces of the teeth. An archwire is secured to each of these brackets with ligature ties. The archwire slowly moves the teeth into the desired positions. Let’s explore these main components of clear braces.
BRACKETS
Clear braces (aka ceramic braces) are a very esthetic type of dental braces. They blend in with the natural tooth color, and resist staining and discoloration. Most orthodontists offer offer clear, ceramic braces. Common brands used by orthodontists include Clarity™, Chic™, and Radiance Plus™. Clear braces also come in custom options, such as LightForce™, which are 3D printed and designed specifically to contour each tooth’s anatomy.
ARCHWIRE
The braces archwire is the wire threaded through and secured to each bracket. This wire is what applies slow pressure to your teeth, moving them into alignment. Archwires are usually made from stainless steel, titanium, nickel-titanium or other alloys.
There are several types and sizes of orthodontic archwires. Your orthodontist typically progresses through different wires to guide teeth and bite into the desired positions. At the beginning of braces treatment, thin and flexible archwires are used. These are typically made from a nickel-titanium alloy, which is known for its “shape memory” effect. This means it can be bent and deformed, but will return to its original shape. This makes the wires easy to place when teeth are crowded. This also makes them the ideal wire to start treatment with, as they apply consistent, light pressure to teeth over time.
As braces treatment progresses, orthodontists gradually place stiffer and stronger archwires. These are commonly made from either stainless steel alloys, or titanium alloys, allowing the archwire to be both strong and flexible. This combination allows it to gently pull your teeth in the right direction without snapping or bending out of shape. Orthodontists may swap out or adjust the archwire during check-ups, fine-tuning the fit so your braces continue guiding your teeth properly as they shift into place.
The archwire used with clear braces is typically the same as that used with metal braces. However, some orthodontists may use tooth-colored or coated wires to further enhance esthetics.
LIGATURE TIES
Ties that secure the archwire into the braces are called ligatures. These ligatures are small elastics or wire ties that hold the archwire in place on the braces brackets. They are typically made from rubber or silicone, and come in a variety of colors. Orthodontists typically have clear, pearl, or other esthetic ligatures to use with clear braces if you desire maximum discreetness. Although most orthodontists carry latex-free ligatures and ties, it is important to ensure your orthodontist knows if you have a latex allergy.
Alternatives to Clear Braces
If clear braces don’t seem to be the right fit, there are other braces options available for orthodontic treatment.
Metal Braces: Classic, metal braces offer a bolder, more visible look.
Gold Braces: These offer a lighter metal color.
Rhodium Braces: These offer an esthetic appearance with more of a matte finish.
Clear aligners: Invisible aligners, such as Invisalign®, Spark™, and Angel Aligners™, are a series of clear, removable trays that gradually move the teeth. They are made from a thermoplastic material that is custom-made to fit each patient’s teeth. These aligners are nearly invisible, removable trays that gradually shift teeth into place.
Lingual Braces: These braces are attached to the back of the teeth, hidden and out of sight.
If you are considering dental braces for yourself or your child, your orthodontist can help you decide which option best meets your needs.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what braces are made of can help you feel confident and prepared for your orthodontic treatment. Choosing high-quality braces materials is important to our orthodontist, Dr. Godley, and team at Godley Family Orthodontics. Consulting an experienced orthodontist will ensure that you have a treatment plan tailored to your needs. With the right materials and a skilled professional, your braces journey can be a positive one, giving you a healthy, beautiful, aligned smile you’ll enjoy for years to come.
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