clear or metal?

[Ravenclaw]

I have metal. There was a time when I thought about getting clear, but I didn't think the extra cost was worth it. When I got them on, I realized they didn't really bother me as much as I thought they would. After a few days, their appearance stopped bothering me, and I stopped caring what other people might be thinking. I guess I was just able to adjust easily.

[korikelly]

Wanted Invisalign. Not an option. Second choice, clear. Ended up with full metal. The techs all said they’re bigger, break more easily, are harder for them to work with, and end up taking more time. Less time was the selling point for me. I’m looking at two years minimum, and I’d like them off before I’m 50 :)

[jessxxica]

I have clear and really glad I did get these instead of metal as im a very self conscious person. Yes they do stain sometimes but not permanently and you can get bands that dont stain which I'm getting tomorrow. I'm only 6 weeks in to trearment and only got upper braces on i get bottom ones on after Christmas :)

[Jennilyn]

I got clear brackets as I am a self conscious person and I wanted to have them as invisible as possible! I’m only two weeks into my 12-15 month sentence, so staining hasn’t happened yet and I haven’t had a bracket pop off or anything.

[EmilyTravels]

I got clear brackets as I am a self conscious person and I wanted to have them as invisible as possible! I’m only two weeks into my 12-15 month sentence, so staining hasn’t happened yet and I haven’t had a bracket pop off or anything.

I don't think you'll have to worry about a clear bracket popping off. From what I've heard/read, they are very hard to take off even when you get debraced, and often break when the techs are trying to pull them off. All of the ones I've had pop off so far (three) have been metal and (more importantly) have been on back crowned molars. They just don't stick to crowns nearly as well as natural teeth.

[nowiseethemoon]

So I've committed to metal. Next week they'll go on! I chose metal with elastics because they are the smallest of all the options and I'm going to start to sport a large overbite as a result of the braces, before surgery. The lowest profile braces (however marginal) seemed to be a good route. I might as well let it be obvious that I have braces and that's why my teeth are sticking out so much, and with elastics, it's probably obvious either way. Also, my 14 yo daughter said she's saw clear braces in a classmate and she spent some time trying to figure out what was "wrong" with her teeth before realizing it was braces. I figure that I'll have the least number of conversations about braces with the boring obvious metal braces.

As a side note, my orthodontist said that she doesn't think self-ligating brackets make treatment faster or less painful. She said it's marketing. They're also higher profile on the tooth than the corresponding regular 'elastic' version that has elastic ties.

[Beverage]

I went with ceramics on both the top and bottom. Ceramic brackets seem to be slightly bigger than metal ones, so it will still be obvious when people look at your mouth from a few metres away. I love ceramics though, they aren't obvious in photos.

[Jennilyn]

I don't think you'll have to worry about a clear bracket popping off. From what I've heard/read, they are very hard to take off even when you get debraced, and often break when the techs are trying to pull them off. All of the ones I've had pop off so far (three) have been metal and (more importantly) have been on back crowned molars. They just don't stick to crowns nearly as well as natural teeth.

I believe my brackets are not ceramic, but plastic. That’s what the head of the practice told me they were before I got them.

[Etal64]

I’m doing metal just to avoid any of the typical issues with ceramic (breaking, staining). The staff said treatment time is sliiightly less, so that’s a plus. Honestly, I’m going to look.... not my best... for the next 12-18 months regardless of which braces, might as well get it done with as fast as possible.

[EmilyTravels]

I’m doing metal just to avoid any of the typical issues with ceramic (breaking, staining). The staff said treatment time is sliiightly less, so that’s a plus. Honestly, I’m going to look.... not my best... for the next 12-18 months regardless of which braces, might as well get it done with as fast as possible.

Agreed. I've definitely noticed more changes in my bottom arch (metal) than the top (clear) so far. That said, the tops were less crowded and needed less change to begin with. And I've also had a lighter wire up top than on the bottom as well, until today; my ortho ordered a thicker gauge wire up top that I think now matches the bottom wire.

I do like that the clear make for a prettier smile in photos, since the bottom teeth don't really show in my smile. I have no regrets going for clear on the "social six" (same price at my ortho than all metal), though I certainly understand people's reasoning for going all metal.

[BlondeCam]

Had ceramic uppers and stainless lower. No regrets and zero issues. The ceramic are slightly larger but less noticeable but like everyone here, I was really proud of my brace face and received only compliments during my treatment. The ceramic brackets don't stain the ligatures do. I used smoke or white. The pearl white were my favorite. Good luck!!!

[Etal64]

Aaaand I just changed my mind. Ceramic for the top it is. I’ve been going back and forth but I think I’ll be happy with this decision. They use a self-ligating system so there won’t be any bands to worry about staining.

[chitowntech216]

Hiya! Thought I would give my thoughts on this.

So my first go around I had metal self ligating brackets (Damon 3 I believe) and this second time around I have non self ligating clear brackets. I personally have preferred the clear brackets over the metal. Have noticed them to be a bit more bulky than the metal and that was a shocker once I got them on but other than that I like them a lot more. For me they're more discrete which is what I wanted. In most photos they don't usually show up and the color ties I picked generally don't either (black and hot pink).

I also work as a tech for an orthodontist and have seen about a good chunk of our adult patients go with the clear over the metal. I think there's a small amount in metal as far as I have seen.

Best of luck in your journey!!! It's exciting!

[bi167]

I chose full metal, it's been 3 months with no regrets
initially poked lips and chicks but now nothing
did cost so much less than clear
in my case fast results are appearing
and most imp, nobody cares after a day or two and no one notices(i was most worried about people asking question about braces, nut now they all know!

[HarryO]

I've gone with ceramics on top and bottoms going on once enough space exists to not bite them off after installing. Ortho may suggest metal on bottom to start sooner due to their smaller size but don't know what I'll do if so. My bottom teeth are more noticeable when I speak and smile so don't really want metal but on other hand want to get bottoms started to complete treatment as quickly as possible. Like everything else, this decision involves a series of trade offs. Good luck.....and "embrace" your decision, however you decide!