Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces, but they use clear or tooth-colored brackets rather than gray or metallic silver brackets and wires.
Many people opt for ceramic braces because they're less noticeable on your teeth than metal braces. This can be a huge advantage if you're considering braces and don't want to feel self-conscious about wearing them.
But ceramic braces also come with some downsides.
Read on to learn how ceramic braces stack up against metal braces in terms of effectiveness, cost, and what they're like to wear on a day-to-day basis.
Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of ceramic braces, especially compared to traditional metal braces.
Ceramic braces are recommended if all of your adult teeth have come in and you've mostly stopped growing. This ensures a quick correction and a lower chance of brackets breaking due to the strain of tooth movement.
Ceramic braces are a good choice if you want your braces to be subtle. Because they're usually tooth-colored or white, they're less noticeable. This makes them ideal for straightening your teeth if you work a full-time job or attend college and don't want to draw attention to them.
On average, from the time you get them on to the time they're removed, ceramic braces cost about $4,000 to $8,000. This compares to about $3,000 to $6,000 for metal braces or $3,000 to $8,000 for clear, removable aligners like Invisalign.
Like other braces, ceramic braces aren't typically covered by healthcare or dental insurance plans. You'll likely have to purchase a separate orthodontic plan. These plans vary widely by state for children and adults.
As an adult, even if your dental plan covers orthodontic care, braces may not be covered if you're getting them for cosmetic reasons and not for the correction of a severe malocclusion or other dental condition that inhibits normal oral functioning.
Ceramic braces take about a year and a half to three years to straighten teeth, in comparison to less than a year up to three years for metal braces.
Ceramic braces aren't as durable, so as your teeth move, brackets need to be replaced more often to keep them from breaking under pressure. This leads to slower adjustment time.
Because ceramic brackets break more easily, the straightening process might take longer because of delays in straightening between visits to the orthodontist to fix broken brackets.
Ceramic braces are much less durable than metal braces simply because metal is sturdier than ceramic. A 2016 study found that ceramic braces are more than twice as likely to break than metal braces, even from normal contact from biting down.
If you play contact sports or are involved in an extracurricular activity that requires a lot of mouth movements — think singing, debate, or public speaking — you may want to consider more durable metal braces that won't chip or crack easily.
Ceramic brackets don't stain easily, but the elastic ties used to hold them to the wire can. Here are some tips to avoid staining your ceramic bracket ties:
The color of each component of your ceramic braces can be changed throughout the course of your treatment. The components include:
Ceramic braces can be a great choice if you want to keep your braces low-key.
But they're a little less durable and may take much longer to correct your bite. They can also be more expensive and stain more easily.
Talk to your dentist or orthodontist before you opt for either metal or ceramic braces — one might be more effective for your teeth, even if it's not your first choice.