Ceramic braces - opinions?

Message

#1 Post by **eggraid101** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:13 pm

Hello, I hope I've been able to help some of you during your orthodontic treatment...well, now I need your help! I've been using Clarity brackets in my practice as an option for my patients who prefer to have ceramic brackets. The problem, as many of you know, is that the clear ligature ties that hold the wire in discolor easily, turning different shades of yellow before being replaced at the next appointment.

I've been thinking about switching to a ligature-free ceramic bracket, to avoid the yellow staining that happens. But that means there will be a little more metal visible because of the "clip" mechanism.

So which would you rather have in a ceramic bracket:

A ceramic bracket with less metal that will discolor yellow for most people between appointments.

OR

A ceramic bracket with a little more metal, but won't discolor at all.

Thanks for your help!

#2 Post by **ilovemacs** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:22 pm

I'd rather have a ceramic bracket with a little more metal, but won't discolor at all. I'd rather have this because most of the complains about ceramics are that the clear ligatures stain and discolour.

#3 Post by **eggraid101** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:27 pm

Thanks for your input!

For the record, I've got Macs in my office...I love them, too.

#4 Post by **ilovemacs** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:30 pm

Yay! Go Macs!!

#5 Post by **travelbug** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:32 pm

I'd have to see what the ligature-free ceramic brackets look like to see just how much "a little more metal" actually means... but at face value I'd probably rather have the ceramic bracket with less metal that discolors. The discoloring is really very unnoticeable, in my opinion, and usually occurs only on my back teeth where people can't see the discoloration anyways.

#6 Post by **Quirky Girl** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:34 pm

I was actually given this choice and chose the S/L ceramics. I have InOvation C clear upper and lower and although they do have metallic hinges that are visible, most people still don't notice that I have braces. I'm not sure if this is because the braces aren't very noticeable or if it's because most people are so self absorbed???

BTW I chose the S/L brackets because I had read so many complaints on this board about lig staining.

#7 Post by **platinum** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:44 pm

I would take those ligature-free ceramic bracket, if I could choose. I have now normal ceramic brackest and the ligs do stain. Allthough, I found out that grey ligs do not stain too much compared to clear ones.

#8 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:50 pm

I only have sapphire braces with ligs honestly, I love them. Unless I eat cajun, curry, or soy sauce, they don't stain too terribly. The idea of self-ligating interests me but I like my super clear brackets. I have learned that the stained ligs aren't really noticeable to others and they still ask why I wear my retainers when I go out. Plus, I've learned what foods will stain horribly and what foods I can manage without staining as long as I brush right away.

#9 Post by **NKovaci88** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:54 pm

I have ceramics and staining hasn't really been an issue, but if it was, I wouldn't mind having some extra metal showing to prevent that. So I'll go with the second option: A ceramic bracket with less metal that won't discolor.

#10 Post by **Chloe1** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:03 pm

I have the Innovation C also and really like them. Yes, you can see the metal in them and I've seen the perfectly clear ones and might prefer them but not having ligs is great.

#11 Post by **eggraid101** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:21 pm

I'm glad to hear those with Innovation C like them; those are the ones I'm considering.

#12 Post by **LateStarter** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:09 pm

If the point of the exercise is to switch to a self-ligating bracket in order to eliminate the discolouring issue, I didn't think the first option would be a contender, would it? Or does that first option still have ligs? Sorry if I got confused

If you'd asked this question before I got my braces, I would have said the bracket that doesn't discolour at all because, like many people, I read a lot about the ligs staining and I was getting worried. Now that I have braces, though, I have Inspire Ice with pearl ligs and they haven't stained at all yet (it's only been a week, though, and I haven't really 'tested' them with the foods that are known to cause staining, although I haven't given up coffee!).

So, to answer the question: knowing what I know now, I'd choose the less-conspicous bracket with the chance of discolouration since I know it's not really much of an issue for me. But before braces, I would have chosen the bracket with no discolouration.

#13 Post by **Clairey Fairey** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:44 pm

Ooooh tough one, but I'd say stick with the ligs. If your careful with what u eat they won't stain - much. Ok it's hard to prevent it altogether but I'd still say I'd rather stick with the lig brackets.

#14 Post by **Betty Bat** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:24 pm

I'd stick with the "less-metal" option also. I had sapphire uppers and to tell you the truth, I never really knew what color ligs I had! It was never an issue - didn't worry about staining and I would never wear brightly colored ligs. So I always got something that was clear or off-white, as far as I could tell.

Having metal lowers and Sapphire uppers, I would say that I would prefer as little metal on the uppers as possible!

#15 Post by **kittymeow84** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:56 pm

I'm really liking all this praise for the In-Ovation C brackets! The less conspicuous the better I say!

I would definitely choose no ligs - even though I'm not braced yet...I just want small and unnoticable....Always been a bit of a minimalist!