Another metal vs. clear question

[Roboto]

Hey everybody! I know there are a ton of threads about whether metal or clear brackets are better, but I want to know.. For the type of brackets you chose, were you given a choice or did your ortho push you in one direction?

I was originally interested in getting ceramics (for all the reasons most people here have gotten them), but my ortho and all the hygienists really steered me towards metal. I'm currently looking for teaching positions, so metal train tracks weren't too appealing. I've decided to go with what my ortho is comfortable with though, since he has the most confidence in metals. Just curious how everyone else's experience was in choosing.

[Lynette]

Apparently ceramic braces can be quite fiddly to work with, so maybe that is a reason why they are pushing you towards metal? I can tell my ortho gets a little frustrated when my ligatures don't go on properly.

When I went in for my consultation, I told my ortho I wanted ceramics and he didn't try at all to steer me away from the decision. He gave me a quote for metal and ceramics. The only thing he told me is that ceramics MAY take longer than metal (but apparently there are no studies to prove that). He even went as far to talk to another ortho in the area to see if I was a candidate for linguals.

Good luck with your braces treatment

[thmmom]

My Ortho gave me 3 choices: all metal, all ceramic or Invisalign on top and ceramic on bottom. He told me that ceramic & metal perform equally.

[Roboto]

The hygienists were telling me that their patients with ceramics have a history of breakage and staining that they just don't have as often with the metals.. and that if that's what I really want they would do them, but they could possibly cause me some grief.

I looked into some other orthos in the area but this guy really has great reviews, so I'll def stick with metal to keep the good doc. A lot of my friends (including my husband) went to him during high school and came out with amazing teeth so I'll suffer through all metal if those are my results too! :D

[tashay1985]

my Ortho gave me the choice between metal or ceramic, and said that they both perform equally. I made it clear that I wanted clear ones and he had no problem going either way. I was quoted the same amount of time (18 months) for both types & they are coming off right on schedule!

I chose the ceramics because of course they are less noticeable. Only thing i noticed is that ceramics tend to be slightly bigger than metal. The ceramic brackets themselves do NOT stain, the Ligatures do though depending on what color they are and the types of foods/drinks they come into contact with. I don't regret the ceramics at all! i think they're great!
ive never had a problem with them being difficult to work with. my ligatures and chains go on & off with no problem and they've never cracked or broken off like alot of people claim they do... Not for me anyway thank goodness

[N'awlinsRach]

I was given the choice of metal lowers and ceramic uppers with no price difference. I chose metal and do not regret it for a minute. To me and this is jmo ceramics make teeth look like they have boogers on them. Kind of like something is there and I have to look (stare) to figure out what it is. Im a teacher and been in the train tracks for almost a year. The kids understand when I mumble and break food into a million tiny bites. Good luck =)

[Johnny B]

I got ceramic on the tops and metal on the bottom. My ortho said they're equally good but I'm almost wishing I had gone metal all the way for comfort reasons--- the ceramics seem to be a bit bigger and bulkier than the metal.

[ashesgap]

I think you should get what ever you want, not just what the ortho pushes to you. I know personally that I always knew I'd get all metal. Before I found this site, after I saw peoples posts with ceramics, and after the ortho showed me the model with ceramics. I still knew metal with fun colors was what I wanted. Maybe it's something from not getting them when I was a kid, and having wanted them so bad. I think if you want ceramic, but you get metal cause the ortho said, you may regret it. Just something to think about.

[rhomboid]

Something is better than nothing and am sure that both are fine; don't know what to tell you, but my Ortho recommended all metal and I took his advice now I like them even the way they look.

[littleviolet]

I have ceramic on top & metal on bottom. I love my ceramics and im glad I decided to get them! they are much less noticable. They are a little bit bigger then my metals, but they dont bother me. They don't stain at all as I have the self aligning type (no rubber ligatures). I think they work just as well as metal, my teeth have straigtened so much with them, in only 3 months! I had a bracket pop off recently... but it was one of the metal brackets on the bottom. Never had my ceramics break or pop off, they seem really strong.

[benj]

Ive had two separate treatments over the years, once with all clear and now with all metal. I am definitely more pleased with the metal treatment and would never want anything ceramic in my mouth again, although they do both have their pros and cons. Treatment with metal feels nicer and is more comfortable because they are smoother and smaller whereas ceramics although they do feel lighter have porous surfaces which can create friction between the lips and when chewing, they also feel sharper and more bulky. I personally loved how my ceramics looked and they really were not at all noticeable to most people, but by the 2nd treatment I was wiser and felt metal were more functional. I also had problems with the ceramic brackets popping off at random times so a lot of foods were off limits, so far have had no such problem with metal.

[Roboto]

Thanks for all the responses!

I think I just wanted to hear that I won't regret metals. I know I won't regret getting braces but it's my pre-braces jitters. I'm a little worried about looking like I'm 16 again, which is not usually a bad thing but I'm currently applying for teaching jobs in middle/high schools.. I don't know if they would somehow subconsciously affect principal's opinions of me if that maes sense. (I've had some nightmares on the issue lol)