Ceramic or Metal?

[tarabears]

I went in to the Orthodontist today to put my spacers in since I will be getting my braces put on next week, and I asked the assistant whether or not they were still going to be using ceramic on my upper teeth and metal on my bottom (since they explained to me that was what I would have in my original consultation). She actually told me that it was my choice, and they didn't charge extra for the ceramic so it was really up to my personal preference. She did go over some of the pros and cons with the ceramic vs the standard metal brackets, but I wanted to ask those of you who have had both for a little more info so I can better make my decision.

What are some of the ups and downs of having ceramic versus metal brackets? Which do you prefer? There are a few things I can think of that would deter me from having ceramic, like the fact I drink and eat a lot of things that could potentially stain the ligatures, I want to eventually go for colors, and I also heard they're more bulky and break a lot easier than metal braces. The upside is that they obviously would be less noticeable, even though the assistant told me that they would still be using a regular metal wire. I just need some advice to better make my decision. Thanks!

[Gennie 50]

Congrats on getting braces. I have ceramics on top and metal on bottom. I got my braces on May 2010. Ceramics are a little bit bulker than the metal. If I had my choice I would have gone all metal. Ceramics are still noticable. They are not "as" noticeable in pictures. I have not had any problems with staining the ceramics. I'm a 2cup of coffee in the morning and tea the rest of the day drinker. The only things that stain are the ligatures. I've had my braces on for almost 15 months and I have not broken any brackets

I started out with smoke color ligatures. This color will fade. Right now, I have baby blue power chains on and they look pretty cool. Believe me, you will eventually end up wearing colors. I had an adjustment today and was told 4 more weeks and I will be getting debanded

Good luck in your journey.
Gennie 50

[catgyrl]

I ditto what Gennie 50 said!

I started out with all metal, but didn't really like the way they looked in pics (yes, I am a bit vain!) so I changed the top ones to the Radiance Ice brackets. They are a bit bulkier, but no more painful than my metal lowers. I've experienced staining when I wear clear ligatures because I'm a big soda drinker and ketchup eater, but this past month I drank a LOT of orange juice, and discovered that stained HORRIBLY! I think as long as I stay away from that, I'll be fine. I have experimented with Plum Crazy, Lavendar and Screamin' Pink ligs. Loved the Plum and Lavendar ligs... HATED the Screamin' Pink. Too, too bright for me... LOL!

The clear brackets are a LOT less visible in pics, but yes, you do see them in real life because of the metal wire. However, when I changed them from metal, most everyone at work thought I'd taken them off completely. Then they looked closer, saw the wire and said, "Oh, you got a retainer!" They still couldn't see the brackets. I've also never had problems with them chipping, breaking, etc. I think the only person who might chip them is the assistant, since sometimes she's kinda rough when replacing my ligs. Gotten stabbed in the gums a few times...

You can see pics of my braces on page 25 (can't remember which) of my braces story. The first pic is right after I got the clear brackets a year ago. The second pic was taken recently, and my ligs were not so clean. haha

Good luck next week!
-Cathy

Gennie 50: Congrats on your debanding!!! I'm so jealous...

[kaylaa]

I went with all metal and haven't regretted it. I figure that people were going to notice them ( even though ceramic is less noticeable, they are a bit bulkier than metal braces) so I might as well have fun with them. Good luck with your choice

[tarabears]

Thanks for the helpful responses! I think I've decided for now to stick with ceramic on top. I think I'm going to go for light blue ligs on the bottom for my first appointment until I get a bit more comfortable wearing them, then I figured I could go more bold with the colors. If I decide I don't like the ceramic as much I can always go to full metal later on!

catgyrl - The ceramic looks so good on you! It makes your teeth look super white and blends in really well.

[Jensniffer]

I have mostly ceramic, but metal on my molars. They are a bit bulkier but not by much. My ceramics don't have ligatures so I don't have staining issues

[catgyrl]

Crap! I just posted a big, long post and it disappeared...

Thank you for the compliment, Tarabears! My teeth really aren't that white... It's the illusion of the camera flash.

Before you decide to switch out your brackets, make sure your ortho isn't going to charge you extra for it. Mine was going to charge me a few hundred more, because of the time it takes to remove the old ones and install the new ones. Also, for the time I'm taking up in his chair that could be used for another patient. Luckily, I made a deal with them to pay off my braces in full, and with the 15% discount for that, I cut the cost significantly.

Whichever ones you end up getting, you will get great results. I rather love my lower metals because I never have to worry about staining, and I almost forget they're there (well, except when I have to peel my lips off of them every morning when I wake up!)

Good luck, and keep up the positive attitude! It will carry you very far.

Cathy

[Snowglobe32]

I have upper social 6 ceramic and the rest are metal.

I prefer all ceramic because I like the way the look. The obly bracket I had pop off was a metal one. Size isn't really an issue after you get used to them.

I think ceramic make teeth look whiter and metal sometimes give a greyish tint to your teeth.

Metal brackets are easier to see plaque buildup.

After a while though, braces become like an arm, you know it is there, but it becomes apart of you that you don't really notice everyday. Or maybe like an ear...you know it is there but who really cares?

[Johnny B]

I have ceramic on top and have been wishing I went with all metal.

Based on some of the responses in this thread am I correct in assuming that my ortho will let me change bracket type during treatment? I pretty much thought I was stuck with the ceramics for the duration......

[tarabears]

Johnny - Why do you wish you went all metal?

Luckily my Orthodontist is pretty laid back and she wouldn't charge me extra if I decided later on I wanted to switch to metal. If the ceramic was an extra charge I would have definitely done all metal!

[Johnny B]

Johnny - Why do you wish you went all metal?

Luckily my Orthodontist is pretty laid back and she wouldn't charge me extra if I decided later on I wanted to switch to metal. If the ceramic was an extra charge I would have definitely done all metal!

In my case, the metal brackets I have on the bottom are considerably smaller than the ceramics on top and would probably be much more comfortable----the ceramics frequently irritate the inside of my upper lip.

Also, the staining of the ligatures is much more apparent against the clear ceramics than it would be against metal. I can't seem to keep my ligs looking good for more than a few days after an adjustment----they end up looking brown and dingy after a while. It's been ok so far this month but that is only because I've had wax covering the top 4 teeth pretty much all day.

Also my teeth aren't the whitest and the ceramics make them appear even more off-color than they are. I can't wait to get them whitened!!

[catgyrl]

Johnny and Tarabears: I just wanted to clarify that I was only 3 months into my treatment when I changed my brackets. It would be up to your orthodontist to say whether or not it would be prudent to change them, depending on where you were in your treatment. Being "laid back", I don't think, has much to do with things. Mine is laid back, too (a little too laid back, sometimes), but if it would jeopardize or set back your treatment, I wouldn't advise it.

[tarabears]

Johnny and Tarabears: I just wanted to clarify that I was only 3 months into my treatment when I changed my brackets. It would be up to your orthodontist to say whether or not it would be prudent to change them, depending on where you were in your treatment. Being "laid back", I don't think, has much to do with things. Mine is laid back, too (a little too laid back, sometimes), but if it would jeopardize or set back your treatment, I wouldn't advise it.

I understand. It was just my way of saying that she would be okay with switching them over to metal if after a few months I didn't like them. I'm sure after I've even had them on for a month I'll know if I want to keep the ceramic

[Crazy4Snow]

After reading all the pros and cons on this site I went with the metal and I'm so glad I did. People are going to see your braces and know you have them no matter what you do so I figured may as well go with the sturdier of the 2. I've not had any problems with mine at all. Of course I don't eat any foods that would break anything either.

[Snowglobe32]

Why would switching out brackets delay treatment? Wires move the teeth not brackets. Sounds to me like some offices find the time it would take to remove and rebond, a bother.