5 Types of Braces: How to Choose the Right Treatment

If you are seeking dental treatment for yourself or your child, you have a lot to consider. While braces may seem like a catch-all treatment for all dental problems, there are actually 5 types of braces to choose from, each with its own pros and cons to consider.

At Keys Dental Specialists, we pride ourselves in being the best Key West dentist for patients seeking an individualized treatment plan. In this article, we’ll help you figure out the best treatment for your needs by reviewing the 5 types of braces, including their use cases, advantages, costs, and any drawbacks you should know about.

Getting the beautiful smile you deserve will take hard work, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Contact our team of experienced specialists to learn more about your unique situation and the treatment options that make sense for you.

What are the 5 types of braces?

The 5 types of braces are distinguished by the materials used and the treatment mechanism that enables the dentist to move your teeth into healthier positions. Most types of braces treat similar issues, including crowding, tooth gaps, underbite, overbite, and crossbite. However, as discussed below, not all types of braces are viable for all types of dental issues. Only an experienced provider can help you choose the right treatment option for your needs.

• Metal braces: Metal braces are the most common. They consist of metal brackets fixed to the front of the patient’s teeth using dental adhesive. These brackets are connected by an archwire, which can be tightened or loosened depending on the treatment schedule. This wire distributes force along the arch of teeth to encourage incremental movement to a straighter position. They often employ elastic bands to increase the force placed on the teeth even further.
• Ceramic braces: Ceramic braces use the same treatment mechanism as metal braces with slightly different material construction. Instead of metal brackets, clear ceramic brackets allow dentists to offer a more discreet option. The softer material is also easier on sensitive lips, which is especially relevant to young children and musicians.
• Lingual braces: Lingual braces are metal braces attached to the back of a patient’s teeth instead of the front. The treatment mechanism is otherwise the same.
• Self-ligating braces: Self-ligating braces can be metal or ceramic. They work the same as conventional metal braces but come with a special clip on the bracket that allows them to be adjusted without the use of elastics. This allows dentists to set an adjustment schedule more easily and with fewer trips to the office.
• Invisalign: Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign treatment uses removable clear plastic trays to apply similar pressure to the treated teeth. These trays are swapped out at regular intervals for progressively tighter ones until the patient’s teeth have settled into their new positions.

What issues do braces treat?

While the types of braces are different in terms of composition, they treat similar issues. For most patients, braces are used to treat imperfect teeth positioning or “malocclusion.” When you close your mouth, your teeth should line up evenly with the top row slightly in front of the bottom row. If they don’t line up, whether due to crooked teeth, missing teeth, or a jaw issue, this is called malocclusion because it inhibits proper dental functioning (“occlusion” meaning blocking or inhibiting something).

The symptoms of malocclusions depend on the nature and severity of the issue. Consider these examples of real cases as small demonstrations of how even common malocclusions can lead to reduced quality of life.

Case examples

Consider the case of a child whose palate has narrowed due to excessive thumb-sucking. As a result, his jaw is too narrow to allow teeth to grow in evenly spaced intervals, resulting in crowding. Due to crowding, food debris collects in the extra crevices between his teeth and leads to a greater risk of tooth decay.

In another example, a child is born with a bottom jaw too far forward, which places the bottom row of teeth in front of the top row when she bites down. This is known as an underbite. As a result of the underbite, the child has biting, chewing, and even speaking difficulties. Chronic issues that she deals with every day are the result of nothing more than a discrepancy in her jaw size.

We could cite many more examples of common malocclusions, but you get the idea. The important part is that these issues can be treated with braces. In the first example, braces allow the provider to incrementally move the child’s teeth into straighter positions, reducing his risk for tooth decay and tooth loss to normal levels. In the second example, braces can be used to straighten the teeth to align the bite when the patient’s mouth is closed, potentially eliminating her everyday difficulties.

Even if these children grew up into adults, they would likely continue struggling with their dental issues. Though sooner is better for dental treatment, remember that it’s never too late to reclaim your healthy smile using braces.

Speak with your provider about your unique situation to learn whether braces are the right treatment option for you.

Pros and Cons

While all types of braces can treat similar issues, not all types can treat severe cases. Invisalign, for example, cannot move teeth with the same strength as metal braces. This is just one example of how your individual case may make you ineligible for one or more types of braces treatments.

Therefore, each type of braces comes with its own pros and cons. The list below is not exhaustive, but it should provide an overview of each type so you can ask informed questions at your consultation about the treatment that makes the most sense in your situation.

Metal braces pros

• Treats mild to severe malocclusions
• Cheapest type of braces
• Usually covered by insurance
• Predictable, permanent treatment

Metal braces cons

• Metal brackets lead to potential discomfort
• Obvious appearance leads to potential loss of confidence
• Brushing and flossing difficulties

Ceramic braces pros

• Softer material leads to greater comfort
• Subtler appearance due to ceramic brackets
• Same treatment benefits as metal braces

Ceramic braces cons

• Often more expensive than metal
• Not as durable as metal

Lingual braces pros

• Impossible to see from the front
• Custom-made brackets
• Same treatment benefits as metal braces

Lingual braces cons

• More expensive than other options
• Potential mouth irritation
• Self-ligating braces pros
• Faster treatment time
• Fewer dentist visits
• Customization options

Self-ligating braces cons

• More expensive than other options
• Potential mouth irritation

Invisalign pros

• Removable trays provide self-directed treatment
• Discreet appearance
• Comfortable material

Invisalign cons

• Expensive treatment option compared to metal braces
• Infrequently covered by insurance
• Potential to fall behind treatment schedule

Which braces are right for me?

At Keys Dental Specialists, we don’t believe that braces provide a one-size-fits-all treatment for every patient’s needs. At your consultation, you will learn more about your symptoms and the treatment type indicated by your situation.

For example, Invisalign is a practical option for professionals or students who are worried that the appearance of braces will impact their career or social confidence. However, Invisalign cannot treat serious crowding or bite issues, making many patients ineligible. In that case, ceramic or lingual braces might be a better option.

Additionally, not all braces are covered equally by insurance providers. While most have a compensation code for metal braces as a medical treatment, many still treat Invisalign as a cosmetic procedure. This means that it will not be covered to the same degree. For some patients, this means their treatment will be 100% out of pocket if they decide to go the Invisalign route.

Of course, cost will be a major deciding factor for most patients seeking dental treatment. In the following section, we give a general breakdown of the average cost of braces. While this information is a good starting point to comparing treatments, it cannot determine the viability of the treatment in your individual situation. Only an experienced dentist can do that.

Cost Comparison for Different Types of Braces

Here’s a general breakdown of the average cost of braces by type:

• Metal braces - $2,000-$6,000
• Ceramic braces- $4,000-$7,000
• Lingual braces- $5,000-$10,000
• Self-ligating braces- $2,000-$7,000
• Invisalign- $2,000-$6,000

In terms of insurance coverage, it’s impossible to guesstimate whether your insurance provider covers these treatments or for how much. In general, providers offer partial or even full coverage for metal braces and at least partial coverage for ceramic, lingual, and self-ligating. Some providers offer partial coverage for Invisalign, but many offer zero coverage for that treatment plan.

Speak with your provider to help narrow down your treatment options. Even if your insurance refuses to cover the treatment you need, remember that your dentist likely partners with payment services to provide patients with financial plans for different budget levels and situations.

Even minor dental issues will worsen over time. Don’t let indecision or cost concerns get in the way of the dental treatment you deserve. Visit our office for a free consultation to learn more about your situation and how we can help.

Visit Keys Dental Specialists for Advanced Restorative Dentistry

At Keys Dental Specialists, we pride ourselves on being the best Key West dentist in the fields of maxillofacial surgery and restorative dentistry. Our surgeon, Dr. Eberle, is double board-certified in providing complex dental implant restorations including root canals, jaw and facial reconstructions, dental implants, bone grafts, corrective jaw surgeries, and more.

Our team of specialists is committed to helping you find the level of care you deserve. Feel free to contact us so we can help you get on the right track to discovering (or rediscovering) your ideal smile.