Ceramic braces: photos before and after installing a ceramic bracket system, advantages and disadvantages, cost
Involvement of modern orthodontic structures allows you to eliminate defects in the dentition without the psychological discomfort caused by attention from others. The color of the installed systems is as similar as possible to the shade of natural enamel., and the effectiveness of their application is equivalent to the effectiveness when using classic corrective devices. Today, ceramic bracket systems are at the peak of popularity, and they will be discussed in the article.
Content
Description and characteristics of the systems used
The constructions under consideration belong to the group of vestibular (external) orthodontic appliances. They consist of 3 main elements, namely:
- Arc - metal products connecting braces by passing through each of the plates.
- Fasteners fixing the above links of the system.
- Ceramic plates mounted on the labial (buccal) side of the teeth using special glue.
Braces are made individually for each bone formation and are equipped with special grooves for arches.
Photo: the structure of the ceramic bracket system
Classification of ceramic braces
In accordance with the design features of the device are classified into ligature, self-ligating. Ligature-free systems are among the latest developments in the field of dentistry, are attached without the use of tightening arches, are characterized by flexibility and ease of care.
For installation of ceramic braces without a ligature, clip clips are used. During the correction of dentition pathologies, the constituent structures move smoothly, acting on deformed bone formations, expanding the space between them (if necessary). The use of self-ligating devices minimizes the number of traumatic injuries of the oral mucosa.
Ligature ceramic braces are the most common group of orthodontic appliances. Their fixation is carried out with the help of tightening elements: rubber bands, metal wire. Holding the plates in the required position, they exert pressure on the dentition, even out and normalize the bite. The tension is adjusted by the doctor with a regularity of 1 time per month.
Today, braces with traditional - silver - color ligatures are among the least popular. Orthodontists note the growing popularity of devices with more aesthetic white arches.
Photo: ceramic braces with a white arc
Additional elements can be attached to brackets from ceramics: traction, elastic chains, springs, rings. Their use is due to the peculiarities of the anomalies in the geometry of the dentition of patients.
Advantages and disadvantages
Vestibular ceramic bracket systems have a significant number of advantages over metal, sapphire counterparts. Among the advantages of the considered orthodontic appliances:
- Aesthetic look.
- The ability to choose the shade that best matches the color of the enamel. Ceramic bracket system is invisible when communicating with a person undergoing treatment.
- Hypoallergenicity.Negative reactions of the body in contact with the materials from which the braces are made are detected in less than 0.1% of the total number of examined patients.
Ceramic braces differ from sapphire systems in the absence of glow when sunlight enters the device.
Photo: bite before and after alignment with ceramic braces
Among the disadvantages of devices:
- Fragility. After installing the product, it is recommended to abandon solid foods: raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, crackers.
- Color change with frequent use of strong coffee, tea, natural juices. White arches are particularly susceptible to staining.
Insufficient strength of ceramics, which excludes strong tightening of the structure, leads to an increase in treatment time by an average of 3-4 months.
According to medical statistics, the tight fit of braces to the teeth causes enamel demineralization in a number of patients. If untreated, the process progresses, leading to the destruction of bone formations.
You can reduce the likelihood of most of these problems by regularly checking with your doctor.
Bracket Installation Algorithm
The scheme for the full restoration of the geometry of the dentition consists of several important steps:
- At the first visit to the patient, the orthodontist will conduct a thorough examination of the patient’s oral cavity, identify pathologies that need to be addressed, and draw up a correction plan.
- The manufacture of individual bracket systems is carried out after complete stopping of the discovered diseases of the mucosa, bone formations, and removal of dental plaque. The devices are designed based on the results of x-ray diagnostics.
- After preparation, the plates are mounted on a special adhesive with high adhesion. After fixing the braces, the arcs extend into the grooves, are fixed with locks or wire, rubber rings (the method depends on the characteristics of the devices). The duration of the procedure varies from 1 to 2 hours.
The wearing time for brackets made of ceramics is determined individually and can last from 1.5 to 2 years. To fix the results at the end of treatment, special devices will help - retainers (see photo).
Briefly about the adaptation period
The process of getting used to the installed design takes 4-7 days. During this period, the manifestation of:
- painful sensations (discomfort is reduced by the use of analgesics);
- violation of diction;
- increased salivation;
- irritation of tissues in contact with the device (trauma by acute elements of the oral mucosa is suppressed with dental wax).
If a general deterioration in well-being - itching, burning, swelling, difficulty in breathing, fever - is added to the listed symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Contraindications
- Ceramic braces are not installed in patients suffering from diseases of the heart, blood vessels, immune and endocrine systems.
- Among the contraindications is the presence of mental illness in the patient.
- Carrying out procedures is postponed until the complete elimination of advanced periodontal disease, caries.
Ceramic Braces Care
Proper care of installed braces allows you to avoid structural damage, prevent tooth decay. The list of preventive measures includes:
Thoroughly cleans braces after each meal. Procedures should be carried out using rinsing compositions, special brushes, dental floss.- The use of an irrigator that allows you to remove the maximum amount of contaminants from the surface of braces, arcs. The device is used in the morning and before going to bed.
- Professional teeth brushing once every six months.
At the slightest suspicion of a violation of the integrity of the product, you must contact the orthodontist.
The average cost of ceramic braces
The prices for ceramic braces depend on the type of construction, the type of its fastening (ligature devices with white arcs are more expensive systems), the manufacturer. An important factor is the region in which the patient lives.
In provincial clinics, the minimum cost of braces is within 15–20 thousand rubles; in Moscow, orthodontic appliances will cost more - the price of ligature systems in the capital varies from 40 to 150 thousand p., ligatureless - reaches 175 thousand p. To the listed costs, it is necessary to add monthly correction sessions, paid separately. The lowest cost of a doctor's services is 2 thousand rubles.
Ceramic braces are not among the budget designs, but refusing to install them is not recommended: they will help change the look, make the smile beautiful, and improve psychological and physical well-being.
