This is the place to post general questions and comments about all areas of orthodontic treatment. Before you post a question, use the forum's SEARCH tool to see if your question has already been answered!
New Members: YOU MUST MAKE A POST WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REGISTERING OR YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED. In other words, don't sign up unless you plan to actively participate in the message board immediately. This is necessary to keep out spammers and lurkers with bad intentions. Of course, you can read most forums on the board without registering.
DO NOT POST FULL-FACE PHOTOS or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.
I have ceramic upper braces. I have been given the following choices for my bottom braces:
(1) Metal
(2) Ceramic with molar buildups during the whole treatment (2 years!)
I would prefer ceramic braces, because I have a client-facing job. However, I'm not sure if I'll be able to stand molar buildups for 2 years. A lot of people say that the buildups were the worst part of their brace journey! Really not sure what to do.
Has anyone had molar buildups? Do you get used to it?
I didn't have a choice, I had to have metal (but I did have ceramic on the top) - I had a deep bite and my ortho stated that ceramic was more "breakable?" .. and I also got the molar buildups. I HATED IT! But, you do get used to it -- but I was very very very happy when they were taken off towards the end of my treatment. I spent a lot of time clenching my teeth with them on.
I had buildups. They were certainly annoying at first, but you'll get used to them. However, if I had the choice between having them and not having them, I would choose not to have them. They gave me a little bit of a lisp while I was getting used to them because I couldn't touch my front teeth to make a proper 's' sound. That might be something to consider since you do have a client-facing job.
I'm nearing the end of my journey with ceramic uppers and metal lowers and I can tell you that some people will notice you have braces anyway. I'm glad I have the ceramics on top because they're more discreet, but they aren't invisible.
Had Damons (ceramic upper, metal lower) from June 27, 2013 - January 20, 2015
15-18 month sentence, official time in braces was 18 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
My Story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45054
If given the choice between build-ups or not; I'd go with no build-ups. I have ceramic on the uppers and metal on the lowers. I have build-ups now (5 months in) with no end in sight for getting them removed. They're awkward to eat with and you can't really chew food; you sort of mash or flatten it. They have worn down some, but they're still big enough to notice when I smile or open my mouth.
Round 3 (lifetime) Damon stainless applied 3/16/20 (after 4 weeks attempting invisalign) On for about 18 months
Night time elastics with invisalign retainers; still...
Double jaw surgery was 6/18/15...
Orthodontics never really ends...
I'm emphatically against extraction orthodontics!
Definitely no build-ups! I had them in my first months of braces and I could hardly eat or properly close my mouth. I was so happy when they were removed!
I have ceramic top and will ger ceramic bottom with molar build ups in two weeks. Ill have to wear them until the end of my treatment. I hope that I will get to them quickly!
I would go for metal as there is less risk of damaging your upper teeth if you inadvertently strike lower ceramic brackets. Metal brackets are relatively soft (I know it doesn't look like they are) so pose less risk. I have never had molar build ups so cannot comment but many people on this forum have them and can share their experiences with you.
Definitely metal and no buildups!! I had buildups and they were HORRIBLE in the beginning, and then I got used to them and they were fine (when I wasn't grinding/clenching and breaking them), but I don't think it's worth it to go through that--especially 2 years--just for ceramic on bottom. I had them for like 6 months or so, and that was quite long enough! I was so glad when I was able to close my mouth normally again.
Before I got my braces, I wished so much that I could have ceramic on the bottom too, but it really has been just fine with metal. I definitely would not go back and choose ceramic/buildups.
Really not sure what to do.
