Questions about Clear Brackets

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#1 Post by **soniabaldeo** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:31 am

Hi there I am new.

I am 24 and planning to get clear brackets instead of the metal one. Can you please tell me the advantages and disadvantages of the clear brackets from the metal one. Anyone who have the clear brackets can you please also tell me your opinion. Thank you for your help.

#2 Post by **Maverick** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:35 am

The clear brackets are clear... They work exactly the same as metal brackets, they're just made of different material, like Sapphire.
Sometimes they cost a little bit more.

I have clear Inspire Ice brackets and they're great.

#3 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:27 am

Clear and metal brackets function exactly the same way. The only real difference is in the discreteness factor. If you are getting clear so they don't show up as much, you probably won't want to get a striking color of ligature. (Ligatures are little plastic 'O''s that go around the bracket and hold the wire onto the bracket). Clear ligatures, depending on your diet, will stain. Coffee, curry (especially curry), ketchup, mustard--basically any strong color--will discolor them. So that's a drawback. I have Inspire Ice as well and I get around this problem by choosing something other than clear. For me, smoke colored ligatures work very well. They are nearly as discrete as clear, but don't discolor as severely. There are lots of threads on the board about ligature colors and lots of photos too, so you can get an idea of what colors other than clear look like on clear brackets. Hope that helps.

#4 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:28 am

I agree with Maverick, I've have ceramic upper brackets and haven't had a problem with them. The only issue is that if you either have clear ligs or powerchains, they tend to stain. I've had steel ties throughout my treatment, but over that last 5 months or so, I've had clear powerchains and I've gone in to have them changed more frequently.

Good luck with your decision.

B

#5 Post by **theKurp** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:39 am

According to this there are more differences than just appearance when comparing ceramic verses metal brackets: http://archwired.com/ceramic_vs_metal_braces.htm

I asked my ortho about using ceramic brackets and he told me that it would add months to treatment time. In a compromise, he installed clear ceramic brackets across my upper front 6 teeth; and metal brackets everywhere else.

#6 Post by **theKurp** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:40 am

N/M - duplicate.

#7 Post by **dissonance** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:20 am

Good thread - I've been wondering the exact same thing. I'm planning on getting the inspire ice clear brackets on my top teeth.

theKurp wrote:I asked my ortho about using ceramic brackets and he told me that it would add months to treatment time. In a compromise, he installed clear ceramic brackets across my upper front 6 teeth; and metal brackets everywhere else.

I've read this a number of places and asked my patient consultant about it. She was adament that the clear brackets would not change treatment time... something about the type of wires this ortho uses being state-of-the-art. I wonder if that does truly make a difference or if she didn't know what she was talking about.

#8 Post by **theKurp** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:46 am

I think treatment times varying between clear verses metal brackets depends on a case by case basis.

I.e., cases where a great deal of movement is necessary might generally take longer with clear brackets.

#9 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:25 am

I asked about possible treatment time increase when I opted for sapphire brackets on my upper 6. I was told that it could take a few months longer. That wasn't a deal breaker for me though, and if I had to do it all again, I would still go with the clear.

#10 Post by **dissonance** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:52 am

theKurp wrote:I think treatment times varying between clear verses metal brackets depends on a case by case basis.

I.e., cases where a great deal of movement is necessary might generally take longer with clear brackets.

I think your explanation makes sense. In my case my teeth don't require a dramatic amount of movement, so that could be why she said it won't take any longer with the clear braces.

#11 Post by **kaydee** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:57 pm

I got clear brackets on my upper social 6 and I am so happy with my choice. I always wanted the clear as I work with a lot of people and my last trip away with work I was talking to so many people and when i explained why I was talking with a lisp (or should i say listhp) they hadnt even noticed the braces. And since I have got them I cant stop looking at the clear ones, they look great. I came away from the orthodontist very happy with my decision. Plus the response to how good they look is great....

#12 Post by **braceface418** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:04 pm

I went with self-ligating brackets and was told that I couldn't use the partially clear damon brackets on the bottom because of my deep, deep bite. Basically, the teeth would rub against the clear tops of the brackets, causing the brackets to wear and making the doors/gates on the brackets more difficult to get open.

I believe I've read something about ceramic causing more wear than metal when rubbing against tooth enamel, but that might just be with metal vs. ceramic crowns, not brackets.

#13 Post by **kirjax** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:17 pm

I have clear uppers and metal lowers. It cost $300 more to have the clear on top....they're a bit bigger then the metal one's. The technicians at my office don't like them as much cause they say it's harder to get the ligs on then the metals because of the size difference....but other then that they did the job just fine. I'll be having them removed (hopefully) in 2 months!

#14 Post by **soniabaldeo** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:23 am

Thank you all so much for your reply. After lots of consideration i am will get the clear brackets. I am getting braced on Feb 10/09. I am 24, female.

I was also wondering people in this forum said clear brackets are bulkier and make it hard to close your lips around it. In time when your teeth push in would be easier to close your lips then? In this case how long did it take to happen until you can close your lips around the brackets without looking like you get fat lips?

#15 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:08 am

No matter what type of bracket you choose there will be an adjustment period. But trust me, you will get used to your new hardware very quickly. At first it will feel like your lips are sticking out a mile. They aren't. I have an overbite, plus had one front tooth that stuck out much farther than the other, and the "fat lip" feeling was pretty pronounced for me at first. I felt like my lip was always getting stuck on that one wayward front tooth. I quickly got used to the feeling of the brackets on my lips and I think I simply learned how to maneuver my lips to accommodate the front tooth. And yes, as your overbite is corrected and as your arch rounds out, your lips will have an easier time going over the brackets. These changes can happen fairly quickly.