Metal Mouth Message Board

#1. Does my ortho choose which type of braces I have (self ligating/damon, clear, or traditional metal) based on my problem?

#2. If yes, I have a 100% overbite/deep bite, I have a little bit of spacing on top. Im having braces for two years with a herbst appliane for the first year, and rubber bands for the second year. Do you have any idea on which type of braces my ortho would choose?

#3. For ligatures what color(s) is/are not super noticable but still pretty? I have brown eyes and blonde hair, I also have a small mouth and my skin is slightly pailish in color.

Hi There
I can only really help you with #1.
Im pretty sure that your ortho generally chooses the most suitable braces for you based on your case but if someone else can clarify that, that would be good. In saying that though, my orthodontist said that for my case I could choose either the self-ligating damons or damon clears, so I chose the self-ligating damons as my teeth are not perfectly white for the clears.

Hope that some-what helps!

1. Its up to you, after all they do they function the same way as the other brackets.

archwired[dot]com/12_Things_To_Know_Before_Getting_Dental_Braces.htm

**read number 5. hope it helps. =)

3. uhhmm, so if you are into not-so-noticable ligs, i would advice you to get tie wires instead of those rubber ligs.

ciao!

1. All brackets function the same. However, if you have a very deep bite, it would be wise not to use ceramic brackets on the lower arch since they can abrade the upper teeth, wearing them away.

2. The amount of time to braces depends on how quickly the herbst moves your teeth to the desired position.

3. If you are getting metal brackets, the silver ligs will match them the best. For ceramic brackets, you may want to consider steel or teflon ties.

I do want a color for my ligs I just don't want it to scream out to people :) A pretty but subtle color, any suggestions?

lornylooloo wrote:I do want a color for my ligs I just don't want it to scream out to people A pretty but subtle color, any suggestions?

You should check out this thread; it's got GREAT suggestions!

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7057

Light pink or lavendar are always very nice. I've tried lavendar, and had no problems with staining, either. Just remember, the lighter the lig color, the more apt it will be to stain. You can help avoid that by drinking through straws and aiming your food/fork towards the back of your mouth. That way, even if the back ones stain, nobody will notice.

When I first got braced, my ortho chose my metal brackets for me (I think he only used one kind). However, a few months later I decided to swap out my upper metal to ceramic, and at that time, he showed me the 2or 3 different ones he had, and I chose the Radiance brackets. Since you're dealing with a deep bite, I'm almost positive he will choose metal brackets for you because of the reasons Dr. Tam just mentioned. People think ceramic brackets are fragile, when in fact, they are very strong and can chip any teeth that bang against them.

Good luck to you!!