Metal vs Clear: Who wins?

[cocomacd]

I apologize if this point has been touched on before, but I'm new, so hopefully that gives me a get-out-of-jail-free card!!

Did you get metal or clear brackets and what has been your experience with the color you chose?
I get my braces on Tuesday and had originally planned for metal, and the orthodontist suggested clear self-ligating braces because they won't stain. (So he says! )
Is there better reviews for the clear self-ligating?

Has anyone gotten one type and wished they had opted for the other? I didn't realize this would be such a big decision until my follow up to go over everything. I set the appointment for metal and think I will be sticking with that, but I'm curious on other's opinions! Thank you!!

[GloomyPalaver]

I opted for metal braces. My primary reason was that I really wanted to change up the colour of the bands every month, because I think that is exciting.

Also, I figured that even if I got clear braces to hide the fact that I am wearing braces, people would eventually figure out that I am wearing braces.

[cocomacd]

Hey Gloomy...that's my thought too. I know some people say it is more professional as an adult to have clear, but why not TRY to have some fun? Lol. I have seen a few pictures of colored bands around clear brackets...it's kind of a cool look...different!

[Beckett]

I have a full set of ceramic brackets. I get new colored bands at my appointments and I think the color stands out more with ceramic than with metal. Plus metal looks a lot darker in your moth in general, so this way I can choose light or even near invisible if I want. I go again on Wednesday and I'm getting red and green for Christmas. I've got power chain top and bottom so each one will be a whole color. One of my teenagers dared me to pick "screaming pink" for Valentine's Day.

[cocomacd]

Beckett, that sounds awesome!!!!

[r1r1r12000]

I chose metal and I've been happy with my decision. Like you, I figured that it would be obvious to people that I'm wearing braces. Choosing colors has been unexpectedly fun!

[MikeLewis]

I got clear braces on my top teeth and metal on my bottom. The reason being that I was seeking a more "discreet" (not invisible, just more discreet) look, and thats what my ortho recommended. I was pretty happy with that choice. When I wanted to be discreet, I got clear ligatures. In cases where I may want to "dress up" my braces, I got colors. I have since gotten my braces off and am happy with the results. In retrospect, I still would have gotten what I got, but I think I would have done colors more often.

[bumbleb79]

Hey, I have opted for good old traditional metal (get my brace this Monday)
I was offered clear but he said people will look at you and think 'has she, or hasn't she got a brace' so he said you may as well get metal. Plus I didn't like the idea of a clear one staining and looking a mess until the next appointment.
I am opting for either smoke or grey bands as I don't want any bright colours to stand out even more....

[T1braces]

I'm 50. I've had metal braces for 10 weeks, top and bottom. I chose these as I was advised they are less likely to pop off as strong, and move the teeth more quickly. I am having several teeth turned. The metal brackets appear smaller than the clear brackets so less friction. Expecting all to be concluded in 10 months . I am happy with the full traditional metal braces and can eat almost anything with them

[Twangsnap]

I've had ceramics on the social six on top and the rest are metal. I'm really happy I went with the clear brackets on top. They are bulkier but actually a lot of people genuinely don't realise you're wearing braces...because there are people in the world who don't stare at everybody else's teeth. Hard to believe, I know . Also, because of who I am as a person, I have ignored all warnings about what to eat and have so far gotten away with peanuts, baguette, burgers and, just tonight, bbq ribs. No popped brackets so far.

I went with metal on the bottom as my orthodontist said they are more efficient, but I despise them, and i use that word carefully. I don't know if ceramics would have been any easier on my gums and inner cheeks, maybe not, but I feel like someone runs a cheese grater around the inside of my mouth every night.

[Drivelofahotmess]

I have clear on the top and metal on the bottom. If I had it to do over again I would gone with metal because the ceramic are a lot bigger and they are really hard to get off.

[carzfrm60s]

I went with all metal. At my age, 55 when put on, I just didn't care about the looks.
Plus I have several crowns and was also told the metal generally hold up better.

[BlondeCam]

Hopefully within the next two weeks I'll be bonded with ceramic upper and metal lower. Have had my records appointment and impressions. This is my 2nd round. First time as a teen now at 41! Slightly nervous about the ceramic brackets. Hope that was the right choice. 25 years ago I was all metal. I'm very excited to get this started.

[EllenR]

Hello. I settled with the metal brackets, the most basic kind of all, because mainly I hardly can afford to get my teeth fixed and that's the cheapest kind. besides, It's supposed to be faster than the clear kind and I want fast results as well. the colors thing is just a bonus for that's not really a main thing for me.

[FlowerPower]

I have clear and while I'm getting used to them now, I still think I'm gonna inquire about switching over to metal at my next appointment.