Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, meaning fewer appointments and less friction being placed on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces but use a specialized clip in place of elastics to help the archwire guide your teeth into place. The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure placed on the tooth and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastics to replace.
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are much less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than metal braces. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.
At Allen Orthodontics in Oceanside, we are proud to offer our patients clear aligners to help them discover their true smile. Clear aligners, or invisible braces, are plastic trays custom made to fit your teeth. A patient is given a series of clear aligners that they will wear for a period of time. During that time, Dr. Allen will instruct you on when to switch to your next set of aligners. Each set of aligners gently and gradually adjust your teeth to their optimal position. One of the brand names of these types of clear aligners is called Invisalign.
Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign. Dr. Allen has been a certified Invisalign® provider for over 15 years.
With Invisalign Teen, you won’t need to turn down any dates, wear a paper bag over your head, or hide out in your room for two years. Invisalign Teen clear aligners are a perfect fit for your lifestyle, because these aligners are clear, removable, super comfortable, and customized just for you.
Want to get a great smile 40% faster* than traditional braces? Then keep reading. (*Based on a comparison of 1,849 patients treated conventionally to 4,376 patients treated with SureSmile.)
SureSmile technology gives you:
With SureSmile, patients spend less time in treatment and make fewer visits to our San Diego County orthodontist’s office. The custom SureSmile archwire provides a smoother movement for a more comfortable experience than traditional braces.
Anyone who has worn braces will probably tell you that wire adjustments and changes were their least favorite part and most uncomfortable part of the process. Fortunately, the SureSmile system is engineered to maximize the therapeutic efficiency of each wire, significantly reducing the number of adjustments you need.
Instead of the doctor bending an archwire by hand, a SureSmile wire is custom-shaped by a robot. When the wire is inserted, each tooth moves directly to the prescribed position. It’s this precise movement that enables such great results with shorter treatment time.
To learn more, visit www.SureSmile.com.
