If you have teeth that are misaligned, dental braces are a wonderful way to fix problems like overcrowding and crooked teeth. However, there are several types of braces that you should know about so that you will know which ones work best for you.

Metal Braces

The most common type of braces that you'll see is metal braces. They involve placing metal brackets on the front surface of your teeth, and they are aligned by placing a wire through each bracket. The braces are very noticeable to others, but they are an affordable and effective way to fix alignment problems. 

Ceramic Braces

The difference between metal and ceramic braces is the materials used to make the braces. Ceramic braces are more expensive than their metal counterpart, but they are going to be clear in color. Many people like this because they are less noticeable on their teeth, which can make them feel less self-conscious around others. The braces are still attached to the front surface of the teeth though, so they perform no different than metal braces.

Invisible Braces

If you do not want people to see that you are wearing braces, you can get invisible braces to align your teeth. These braces act almost like mouthguards that you wear for the vast majority of the day, which are made out of clear plastic. You will have a mold taken of your teeth, and then receive a series of trays that you swap out every two weeks. The trays gradually move your teeth into the correct position, all while not giving off any indication that you are fixing your teeth.

The downside to invisible braces is that they can take longer to make the same type of correction that metal or ceramic braces will make. Invisible braces also cannot perform extreme modifications for your teeth. For example, this includes moving the position of a tooth that is growing behind another tooth. However, if you're trying to fix simple issues with spacing and alignment, invisible braces can be a great choice. 

Lingual Braces

What makes lingual braces unique is that they are brackets that are placed on the rear surface of the teeth. This makes the braces less noticeable than metal or ceramic braces on the front surface, but still gives you the strength to make bigger corrections. If you're wondering why all people do not use lingual braces, it is because users can experience more discomfort and deal with more food getting stuck in the braces. 

Contact a dentist for more information about dental braces.