Changing metal to ceramic

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#16 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:34 pm

I have all clear, top and bottoms, and love them! After having them for 8 months, my co-worker said "Oh, you got your braces removed!" Then I said "no, they're still here, just clear still!" Then she went to say how clear and unnoticeable they were. Made me feel better about picking ceramics versus metal. That's just how I feel about it!

#17 Post by **braceface1969** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:04 pm

I would keep the metal ones.I have metal and am not self conscious anymore about them.

#18 Post by **gwynneth23** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:16 am

I have braces on my upper teeth only, and the brackets are mainly ceramic (metal ones at the back).

They are less visible of course, and I'm sure I would feel a 'bit' more self-conscious if they were metal. But to be honest I don't think it's a big deal either way.

One thing you might want to bear in mind is that I'm sure I read somewhere on this site, that ceramic brackets tend to be more bulky and rougher than the metal ones. (Can anyone confirm if that's true?). So you might find that the ceramic brackets are more noticeable in your mouth, and rub more against the inside of your gum. That might be an issue for you, if you've found it hard to get used to wearing a brace. If you do discuss it with your ortho, then you might want to ask him/her to actually show you the brackets and how they compare for size.

It may be a case of weighing up comfort vs appearance (and cost)!

#19 Post by **ilovemacs** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:53 am

I don't have ceramics, but one of the many treatment coordinators at my ortho's has them and she says they are bigger, and take longer to get use to. I don't know about roughness though. Good Luck!

#20 Post by **iBorg** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:38 pm

I had ceramics on my top and had to switch to metal because the ceramics just wouldn't stay on. My ortho says its rare but for some people they just won't stay bonded on. With that being said, I find the metals much more comfortable than the ceramics. They are much smaller and have a lower profile. With that being said, you'll find that as you move up wire size the clear become almost as noticeable as the metal. For myself, that's not an issue, I'm happy I'm doing this. I'm happy with the progress. I'm happy enough I don't have the desire to hide them.

Mike