Metal brackets

[Sallee]

I'm in the lead-up to getting braces and doing lots of hurried research. My orthodontist says metal brackets are the only option for me as there's so much movement needed, I grind, and my tooth roots are shorter than average. I've read a few articles and I can see she's probably right.

I keep trying to make myself feel better by reading articles about braced adults, but just when I start to feel ok I realize this person has clear brackets. Same with photos, so many clear ones, and so far I haven't seen any nice looking pics with all metal. Can anyone help me out so I can stop wallowing? I just need one or two positive examples of metal braces!

[flynn]

Sallee,
Do you have the option for mini brackets? I have ceramic on top and minis on bottom (almost 3 weeks fully braced) and if I had known how different each felt, I would have chosen metal top and bottoms. The minis are more comfortable for me, the larger brackets I can really feel, of course I also have a very prominent overjet, so that had a lot do with it. For what it's worth, I prefer my metal to my ceramic brackets.
Good Luck!
Francy

[Bracer215]

Sallee
It is hard to say what different braces people will be satisfied with. But I have had metal braces upper and lower and don't mind them at all. They really have been relatively comfortable except the first couple days of course. Absolutely no problem with staining. And I have really gotten into having the different colored ligatures put on. Guess I kind of feel other people are going to know you have braces no matter what kind you get. I have been wearing braces for close to 8 months now and if people comment on them it is always in a positive manner.

[klobird]

Hey Sallee--I have self-ligating Damon Q metal braces upper and lower. They are small and smooth and I really, truly don't even notice them--even from the very beginning these brackets have been extremely comfortable. And there are no ligatures to worry about staining.

I am very, very satisfied with my decision--oh wait-- --it was my ortho's decision--he said I had too much work to be done also for any other kind of braces..but ya, I'm really happy with them...

(And about the ticker---TOTALLY a coincidence with Bracer215!!)

[Robot Teeth]

Metal!

[Sallee]

Thanks guys! It really does make a difference knowing there are people in the same boat!

I think I'll ask my dentist to refer me for a second opinion with an ortho who does mini brackets (never heard of that possible solution!) or damon style braces, and see what they say. My ortho has a great reputation and lots of experience, but that includes the reputation that she doesn't care about your looks, just the great results in the end. Obviously the end result is what matters, but clearly I have a need to explore more options.

[ArchWired28]

I have self-ligating metal tops and getting self-ligating metal bottoms tomorrow. I don't mind metal at all. In fact, my ortho holds a patent for ceramic bracets and he did not recommend them due to better movement with metal brakets.
There were countless discussions over this topic in here. There are as many opinions, as there are brace wearers. One option may not fit two adults in the same way. If you are absolutely uncomfortable with metal, you should discuss this preference with your ortho PRIOR to the start of treatment. Good luck!

[bracketeer]

Metal!

I had the clear brackets for all of 24 hours and hated them. Very bulky. Plus, I am not willing to give up coffee and worry about every single thing that I eat as far as staining. I was on the fence for many many weeks but am 100% glad I finally went with metal.

[BracedGeek]

Metal because that was what my ortho recommended. I was hoping for invisalign, because it would have made it so much easier to keep my teeth clean. When that wasn't an option, I had no real preference for clear or metal. I don't like how the brackets look, but I try not to focus on that too much. The point is to have healthier teeth...

[Sallee]

Thanks guys! I had my molds done yesterday and final decision is in 2 weeks. My ortho uses small metal brackets but not mini- she compared minis to speed braces, which she hates. This time she said we could do ceramic on top, which I found weird after the previous conversation. Anyway, I trust her experience and think I'll be going for metal after talking to you guys, I'm not sure a second opinion would do me any good as I'm so indecisive.

My comfort and an effective treatment are factors too, not just my looks. It's funny I've gone from being horrified to thinking the metal brackets are clean, simple and functional.

Final consult is in 2 weeks and braces end of Sept, beginning of October.

[Sallee]

Arg, I'm flip-flopping so much between going for metal or ceramic. The latest factor was watching America's got Talent last night, half of those cheerleaders had metal braces... Some looked fine and others not, I bet on my small teeth mine would look like a huge set of metal teeth.

I hear there are threads dedicated to metal v ceramic, could anyone direct me there?

[drgnchsr36]

Arg, I'm flip-flopping so much between going for metal or ceramic. The latest factor was watching America's got Talent last night, half of those cheerleaders had metal braces... Some looked fine and others not, I bet on my small teeth mine would look like a huge set of metal teeth.

I hear there are threads dedicated to metal v ceramic, could anyone direct me there?

@Sallee, just do a search and you'll find plenty of threads that talk about the topic of ceramic vs metal

[Roboto]

Hi Sallee! I was totally in the same boat as you. My ortho and all the hygienists told me metals were the way to go. At the time I was really bummed, and still am sometimes, but what it came down to for me is that I chose this orthodontist because of how beautiful my husband's teeth are and the teeth of a few friends who went to him. He does an excellent job and has many many years of experience, so if he thinks metals are best, I should trust him... and while it definitely makes me feel self-conscious (like when I substitute teach at middle & high schools, or go for job interviews), nobody has ever given me a reason to feel that way. It's all in my head! 2 years of self-consciousness is way better when you consider that you'll have a lifetime of beautiful teeth to come out of it.

[TumbleDryLow]

Here's a recent thread on ceramic vs metal: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=39773&p=378531&hil ... ic#p378531
There are lots more threads out there. This topic comes up a lot.

FWIW: I had ceramic (clear sapphire) on top social 6 and loved them. Cons of clear: Lig staining. It was factor but I was willing to deal/avoid curry/use a straw for coffee/put up with it. Treatment may have been about 3 months longer for me going that route. Even with the cons if I had to make the choice again I'd make the same one. Nothing wrong with metal, but for me, the aesthetics of clear were worth it.

[ArchWired28]

Arg, I'm flip-flopping so much between going for metal or ceramic. The latest factor was watching America's got Talent last night, half of those cheerleaders had metal braces... Some looked fine and others not, I bet on my small teeth mine would look like a huge set of metal teeth.

I have small teeth and the metal self-ligating braces don't look that bad, at least in my opinion. But I don't really care how it looks, all I care about is the end result as fast as possible. Oh and I cannot be bothered by thinking what I eat to not stain the braces. Yes, there are people weird like that
But anyway, if you really want ceramic and your ortho gives you that option - go for it. You will spend quite a bit of time with braces and it is not good to be unhappy about your decision.