Metal Mouth Message Board

Is it true that oral surgeons require you to wear metal braces as opposed to ceramic braces for surgery? I had an ortho consult today and she was telling me i couldn't get the ceramic braces if i was considering jaw surgery because they are not strong enough and this is a problem for oral surgeons? I am 25 years of age and cannot not imagine having to walk around with a mouth full of metal right now. Did anyone here who had jaw surgery wear ceramic braces without any issues?

You should be happy you've found a good orthodontist. They are correct that metal braces are stronger and are generally better for surgical patients.

That does not mean you couldn't go with ceramics, and I'm sure plenty of people have, but I personally wouldn't want the added risk of failed brackets. Especially immediately after surgery when your jaw is not stable.

As a compromise, why don't you ask to get ceramics up until you're ready for surgery, and then move to metal brackets. Your orthodontist may charge a bit more, but I would think they could accommodate.

Also, don't take this the wrong way, but don't be so vain. Metal braces aren't the end of the world, I promise you! If you're going to commit to surgery and braces, you need to get used to all the things that suck and are inconveniences. This is but one of them...

Good Luck!
Chicago29

I'm preparing for double jaw surgery, and I have Inspire Ice brackets. I assumed that I was sentenced to metal brackets, but my orthodontist actually brought up the clear brackets and said they wouldn't increase my treatment time or be a problem for surgery.

I'm 25 and about to get metal braces. Just know that if you do get metal braces, you won't be alone

Just know they are only temporary.

I Had ceramics, and surgery--one of the brackets did come loose during the surgery, however, that bracket has come loose before, due to being attached to a crown--they just don't stick as well to crowns. Anyway, it was no big deal and the surgeon never said it would create any problem.

I had lower jaw surgery and I have ceramic brackets on top. All of my brackets survived intact. Not sure what would have happened with ceramic on the lowers.

I had upper and lower with metal on the bottom and ceramic on the top, didn't have any problems

braces aren't that bad nowadays because they are relatively small. even if you opt for ceramics or other form of invisible brackets, the wires are still metal. for this reason i couldn't justify spending the extra money.

btw, people really don't make fun of those who wear braces anymore. i work in a school environment and even kids nowadays think it's "cool" because they know it's expensive. yeah don't ask me how that makes sense.

I got my braces two days after my 25th birthday. I could have gotten ceramic, but I chose metal because I think ceramic braces look like you have massive plaque buildup on your teeth. They don't fool anyone.

With braces, you might be mistaken for younger than 25 a few times, but people won't take you less seriously. It's like wearing glasses -- braces just outline your smile.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

And chicago29 if I came across as sounding superficial or vein, I really didn't mean too. I've been to about 6 ortho consults so far and have pretty much been told the same thing that I need lower jaw surgery to fix my underbite/ crossbite. Only one actually mentioned that I would need metal if choosing surgery. Of course i would love the option of ceramic but if i need metal for surgery then i would not refuse. I definitely do not want to complicate matters.

My worries were more geared towards what rainingfordays mentioned. I have a small frame and at 25 i often get perceived for 18 or 19 and that's w/o braces. It sort of runs in the family i guess. My mom and older sis are always perceived about 10-12 years younger than they are so that will benefit me when im older. However, I will be soon looking for a job in a corporate type of environment and i'm hoping that a mouth full of metal will not put me at a disadvantage or taken less seriously.

Has anyone with metal braces every found this to be an issue while braced whether it be job wise or anything for that matter? Or do you feel like it didn't make any difference? Just curious???