There's a good chance that your teen isn’t particularly ecstatic about getting braces! Luckily though, orthodontics has come a long way, and these days there is a wide variety of low profile, convenient, and nearly invisible options to choose from.
Undergoing orthodontic treatment no longer means living with a mouth full of unwieldy metal braces for several years. The options below are just a few of the alternatives to traditional braces available to teens and adults these days:
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are fitted onto the inside or the back sides of the teeth; that is, the side facing into the mouth, toward the tongue. This hides the braces from view, so that no one need to know they're there.
Invisalign
Invisalign makes sets of clear, custom plastic aligners that straighten teeth just as well as traditional braces. The difference is, Invislaign aligners more or less invisible when worn, because they're made of a completely transparent plastic.
An added benefit to Invisalign is that although the aligners must be worn full time during treatment, they can be removed to brush and floss teeth and to eat. Therefore there are no dietary restrictions, and your teen can also maintain his or her normal oral hygiene routine with ease.
In-Ovation Precision Mini Metallic Braces
In-Ovation system braces are smaller than traditional braces, and have a lower profile. But their most significant benefit is that they are ‘self-ligating'. Self ligating braces mean that unsightly elastics and ties are not necessary for treatment. They also don't need to be tightened regularly, meaning fewer appointments at the orthodontist's office.
‘Translucent’ Ceramic Braces
The brackets on translucent ceramic braces are made out of a durable, strong, ceramic material that closely matches the natural colour of the teeth. This allows the brackets to blend in and look much less obvious than regular braces.