Choosing a color for your braces might be challenging because the wrong hue will not complement your mood, personality, or style. Most people fail to select the perfect color for their braces due to a lack of forethought.

Basics of Braces Bands Colors

White may seem ideal, but it is not always the case. White bands can dull your teeth and stain with time. Choosing braces color isn’t as simple as it seems, but we can help. Consider these factors while picking the appropriate braces color for you:

Age. Teenagers love brightly colored braces in single or many hues. Adults prefer neutral tones.

Skin tone. The color red or navy blue works well with lighter skin tones. These won’t help your skin look fresher or your teeth whiter. Darker skin tones look best with teal, brilliant blue, magenta, vibrant pink, or ruby red, which contrast nicely with darker complexion tones and make your grin stand out.

Eyes and Hair color. Colors that complement hair and eyes. Colored elastic bands look nice on light hair and eyes, whereas jewel bands look good on dark hair and eyes.

These band colors compliment the following eye colors:

• Green eyes: Red, orange, purple, and green color braces
• Blue eyes: Blue, pink, and lilac color braces
• Brown eyes: Dark blue, and dark green color braces

Teeth shade. Choose colors that will brighten your teeth. Avoid stains like brown and yellow. Darker hues are desirable as they help brighten the teeth.

Frequency of switching bands for braces

Every visit, your orthodontist will tighten your wires, allowing you to change braces colors. Colors can change every four to six weeks depending on how often you need modifications.

Discovering the best colors for braces

The most popular color combinations are blue, yellow, purple, and pink. Your orthodontist can also help you choose a color.

What if you can’t choose between two colors? Then do both. Yes. You can mix two colors for your braces. Here are a few common colors:

• neon green and pink
• Pink and purple
• Black and red
• Light blue and navy blue

Tips for picking braces bands colors that brighten your smile

Purple, crimson, black, and navy blue can all make your teeth appear whiter. Even if they don’t make your teeth appear whiter, neutral colors like silver and gray can help hide discolorations.

Express creativity with braces colors

Having trouble deciding on a brace color? Here are some options for braces colors to assist you to make the best pick.

Your favorite color. The logical pick considering your favorite hue is already your favorite. If you have multiple favorite colors, you can combine them to make a statement.

Favorite sports team.Support your favorite sports team by wearing their colors on your braces.

Match your outfit. Pick the most popular color in your closet for your braces.

Holidays and events. Various holidays have their own colors, such as St. Patrick’s Day. This is a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit by matching your braces to the season. You can also match your braces to key occasions like graduations and weddings.

Change of season. Is it winter? Summer? Spring or Fall? You can match the colors of the current season with the color of your braces.

Read more on Taking care of your teeth to avoid dental caries

Colors for braces for girls

A recent study found that female patients prefer red and purple bands. However, there are other aspects to consider, such as the color that can make your teeth appear whiter.

Below are popular choices of braces colors for girls:

• Yellow
• Purple
• Pink
• Aqua
• Neon Green

Colors for braces for guys

Male patients preferred black, blue, and dark blue colors. If other things don’t interfere, male patients should choose the darker color. Suggestions for color:

• Navy Blue
• Blue
• Black
• Red
• Orange
• Sky Blue

When going to your orthodontist check the braces color wheel to choose the right color for you. The color wheel can help pick the perfect color for you.

Sources:

• Elekdag-Turk S, Ozkalayci N, Isci D, Turk T. Color preferences of patients receiving elastic ligatures. Eur J Dent. 2010 Apr;4(2):171-4. PMID: 20396449; PMCID: PMC2853826.
  
• Hurlbert AC, Ling Y. Biological components of sex differences in color preference. Curr Biol. 2007 Aug 21;17(16):R623-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.06.022. PMID: 17714645.

Invisalign uses a system of removable, see-through trays rather than the wires and brackets that braces use. Let’s take a closer look at Invisalign and see why so many people choose this treatment to align their teeth.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is important to have properly aligned teeth as this helps to protect not only our dental but overall health.  You may have come to the realization that your child needs to have their teeth straightened, but now the question is how best to accomplish this – clear aligners or traditional braces? Simply put, both methods gently move your child’s teeth into the correct alignment, but

Read Proper Ways to Clean Your Invisalign Aligners.

What are the benefits of Invisalign over other types of Aligners and Braces?

Here are the top advantages that this treatment has over other methods:

1. Treats many conditions – This treatment can address overbite, openbite, crossbite, excessive overjet, crowding, gaps between teeth.
2. Easier to clean – Braces can be difficult to maintain. They need to be cleaned carefully after eating to keep food from getting stuck and causing plaque and cavities. Aligner trays are simple to remove, no matter where you are, and easy to brush and clean
3. Removable – Unlike traditional or other types of braces, Invisalign is not permanently attached to your teeth in any way. The aligners can be easily removed when you eat, drink, brush or floss.
4. Comfortable – There are no wires or brackets or sharp edges with Invisalign. Instead, the trays are smooth so they won’t cause any painful cuts or sores inside your mouth. They are comfortable to wear for 20 to 22 hours a day.
5. Fewer Office Visits – With this treatment, the patient receives aligners in advance so they can progress to the next stage of treatment without coming into the office. Visits will still need to be made to check the progress but not as many as metal braces, which require more frequent visits to tighten wires and bands.
6. Shorter treatment time – Depending on the severity of the issue, this treatment could take between 6 months to 2 years, on average. In comparison, traditional braces could expect to take between 1 and 3 years, depending on the case.
7. Nearly Invisible – These are made from a clear plastic material which is usually hard to detect. There are no wires or brackets so most people will not even notice.

The advantages of Invisalign are plentiful and the results will be evident pretty quickly. One thing for certain is that treatment will result in an even, healthy looking smile.

Related article: What are Invisalign Attachments?

Sources:

A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies (2019)

Treatment Comparison Chart

Invisalign attachments (SmartForce^®) are Tooth-Colored tiny shaped buttons attached to your teeth. They are bonded to teeth using a strong bonding composite material. SmartForce^®attachments are used when the patient cannot get the results they want with the invisalign aligners alone.

The reason you would prefer Invisalign over other treatment methods is that it is invisible and can be removed whenever you like. But when your orthodontist suggests that you use attachments to make the most out of your Invisalign treatment you now wonder how it can affect the looks and functionality of your Invisalign. What are these for, and why were is suggested to you in the first place?

Invisalign SmartForce^® Attachments Explained

When Invisalign was first introduced to patients, the treatment was only limited to a few orthodontic problems. If the malocclusion of the patient is severe, they’ll be advised to get treated with traditional metal braces. Over the years, Invisalign has been used to treat minor to mild cases, but it still can’t fix extreme cases of malocclusion and misalignment. But with the invention of attachments, Invisalign is now able to treat more serious cases.

Orthodontists place these tooth-colored dots on the teeth that need further adjustments and normally these are placed on the middle of the tooth. The idea of attachments is that the bumps will provide an anchor point that helps to direct the forces of the aligners more effectively and precisely to the tooth.

Attachments come in different shapes. It can be a circle, rectangle, square, or triangle. The shape of the attachments and their orientation depends on the purpose it serves, intrusion, translation, extrusion of tooth rotation.

The attachments are used primarily for severe crookedness or crowding where the tooth needs to rotate. There are also cases where the tooth needs to be raised within the gums so that it aligns with the neighboring teeth. The aligners alone won’t be able to perform such adjustments, but adding attachments will help the teeth move in their proper positions.

Read about How Invisalign Treatment Works | Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

How are Button Attachments for Invisalign Placed?

Placing attachments is a simple procedure. Orthodontists simply bond these “bumps” by implementing bonding techniques used with many other dental procedures. There are no drills or shots required to install it.

Attachments are placed using a template. Here’s how it’s performed:

• Orthodontists receive a clear, plastic template from Invisalign. It looks similar to an aligner but it has small bulges to match the location of the teeth to where the attachments need to be placed.

• They will then clean and prepare the surface of the teeth so that the attachments bond correctly.

• They then fill the bulge using a dental composite that matches the color of the tooth. The shape of the bulge creates the shape of the attachment to be placed.

• The template is then sealed to your teeth and your orthodontist will cure the bonding material using a dental curing light.

• When it has hardened, your orthodontist will remove the template and shave off any excess material. The small bump is what remains in your tooth and what makes up the attachment.

Can I Have Attachments for Invisalign if I Have Dental Restorations?

If you have some type of dental restorations placed such as fillings, veneers, or crowns your orthodontist should still be able to bond the attachments to your tooth. Although some types of restorations can be a challenge than others.

Composite restorations – since this is the same type of material used to create attachments, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Metal or porcelain – adding attachments to these types of restorations may be possible, although the bonding may not be as strong as when it is applied on a tooth or composite material. Depending on the level of forces involved, it may be difficult to place throughout the treatment.

Now that your braces are removed, you now have a straighter, beautiful smile that you’ll be proud to show off. But that doesn’t stop there, because you still need the assistance of your orthodontist and regular visits are essential in maintaining a straighter teeth and making it look great.

Your Regular Checkups are Important

After your braces have come off, it is crucial to visit your orthodontist to ensure that your teeth remain aligned, retainers fit properly, and that they can detect any issues that can become a bigger problem in the future.

Don’t Forget to Wear Your Retainer

When the braces have been removed, your teeth will be very vulnerable and can easily shift out of place. Retainers are still important during this period. Even Braces for kids are required to wear aligners after. Retainers make sure that they stay where they are needed. Your orthodontist will provide you instructions on how often they should be worn. After that, you’ll be instructed to wear it only at night. Make sure to follow the instructions or you’ll end up with bad teeth.

Further read How To Get Your Braces Off Faster?

What to Expect During Post-Braces Orthodontic Appointment

This appointment is very quick and easy; however, it is important to point out any vital complications that could arise once your braces are removed. As with kids clear braces, expect that your orthodontist will provide a thorough instruction to help your child. The sooner you’ll recognize the problem, the easier the remedy will be. If you have a poorly-fitted retainer, it will relapse and will not get to your target alignment.

More about Choosing Colors for Braces

This means that:

• You’ll be wearing a new set of retainers that will cost you more money.

• You will need to have the braces re-aligned.

• Your teeth won’t be in the desired position.

The post-treatment orthodontic visits will depend from one orthodontist to another. Expect to have a follow-up visit in 5 weeks, three months, six months to one year.

7 Tips to Prevent the Risk of Dental Caries

How to Keep Your Smile Straight For Life

Expect that your treatment will last a lifetime, and it is important that you keep your teeth straight. If you stop wearing retainers, your teeth will shift out of position. Help achieve a straighter smile by doing the following:

Wear your retainers as prescribed.

After wearing the retainer, your teeth will be weak and it will not have the strength to keep it straight for now. If there is space in your jaw, the teeth are likely to shift. The retainers will help keep the teeth straight.

Make sure to clean your retainers daily to keep in excellent shape.

Whenever you take off your aligners you need to keep it in a safe place when not in use as it can get lost or broken. This can be a problem and it will be expensive to replace particularly if you have lost many retainers.

If you are constantly grinding your teeth while sleeping, you should consider wearing mouth guards at night.

Mouth guards will keep your enamels protected and keep the teeth unaffected by your teeth grinding.

If something seems off, it is important to get in touch with your orthodontics as soon as you can.

Sources:

• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Dental braces.
• Elekdag-Türk S, et al. (2018). Ceramic brackets revisited. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.79638

Even if your braces are durable, you still need to treat them with care. And this starts with watching what you eat since some food and drinks can affect the durability of your braces. Moreover, your mouth and braces will be happier if you avoid these foods. Take note that Braces prices are not cheap; therefore, preventing these foods can help to not get another set of braces thus, avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Foods to Avoid

Candes and chewy caramels. Candies are too hard to be chewing when you have braces. You are likely to end up with broken brackets or damaged wires if you eat too many candies. Caramels are sticky candies that can get lodged between the tooth and a brace. .

Gum. The main risk of chewing gum is similar to caramel where it can get stuck between the wires of the brackets or bending the wire.

Popcorn. Regular popcorn kernels can get stuck under the gums and wires of the braces. If it is hidden in the right spot, it can be incredibly difficult to remove. Also, the kernel can be pressed against the gum which can cause irritation and pain.

Nuts and shells. Biting into the nuts and shells can force the wires out of alignment. The shards of the shells can scratch your gums and even crack your teeth. When you chew nuts, it breaks down into creamy paste that can stick to the crevices of your mouth and some of the pieces can lodge around your braces.

Taco shells and corn chips. Even though potato chips and taco shells are brittle, it can do a lot in damaging your braces. These are hard and crunchy that can easily damage the braces and get stuck between the teeth.

Crackers. Crackers are thicker than the taco shells, so expect to get as much damage to your braces as the taco shells can do.

Beef jerky. Beef jerky is very tough meat that can easily loosen the wires and brackets on your braces. The same can happen to poorly cooked beef or pork.

Chocolates. It is safe to eat soft chocolates, but avoid the hard ones since you will be forced to bite into the food which can easily destroy your dental appliance.

By now, you should already know the pattern. Hard, sticky, chewy, and tough to bite foods are the ones you should avoid eating.

Read What to do when brackets break?

Drinks to Avoid

Sugary and Acidic Drinks

Soda is highly acidic therefore drinking too much soda while you have your braces could stain the brackets and wires. Sugary juices contain a lot of sugar that will make your enamel vulnerable to attacks that can cause cavities and tooth decay.

Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea are highly pigmented which can stain the brackets and bands of your braces. These types of drinks can heavily affect the translucency of clear ceramic braces.

Drinks that Stain Ligatures

For ceramic braces, avoid beverages that could stain the ligatures. If it cannot be avoided, limit the amount of consumption of such to prevent the stains. The following can stain the ligatures:

• balsamic vinegar

• curry

• fruit juices

• cola

• red wine

• tomato juice

The list is exhaustive, so Contact Us for additional information on foods to eat.

Source:

• Payment and Insurance Frequently asked questions
• The basics of braces. (2016). kidshealth.org/en/parents/braces.html
• Adhesives for bonded molar tubes

Invisalign will be able to correct the alignment of your teeth in the most subtle, and discreet manner. This is one of the reasons patients prefer this over other orthodontic treatments. Not only that it’s invisible, but it also has one of the fastest treatment times to date.

We asked patients who have undergone this treatment and these are five reasons they love this treatment.

Invisible

The reason most patients prefer this treatment is that it doesn’t have wires and brackets that show off when they talk or smile. The aligners are made of transparent plastic which makes it nearly invisible. One of the reasons patients don’t want to have their teeth corrected is that metallic braces are ugly. The metal braces and wires show up and it is often a cause of distraction to other people. For teens, it means that they’ll be teased upon because of their metal teeth.

Comfortable

It is a given fact that plastic is more comfortable to wear than metal braces since plastic is flexible and it conforms to the patient’s teeth. Metal brackets have sharp metal parts that can rub against the lips and cheeks that can scrape the surface of your mouth and can cause sores.

While it is possible to treat sores caused by metal braces by using dental wax to provide cushion and to take painkillers to numb the discomfort, wouldn’t it be better if it hadn’t occurred in the first place?

Invisalign does not contain metal wires or brackets that could scrape your mouth. Learn more about what’s involved with Invisalign Aligners.

More on Invisalign vs Braces : Which One is Best

Eat Without Restrictions

When wearing metal braces, you are restricted to foods that won’t cause it to get damaged or break apart. And believe us when we say that there are a lot of foods that you cannot eat. This makes most people feel like being punished. However, with Invisalign, since the aligners can be removed, you retain the natural functions of your teeth and without restrictions. You can enjoy eating any food you like since you’ll remove it when eating and install it back again after. Just don’t forget to clean your teeth after.

More about How to Clean Invisalign Aligners? 

Stay in Sports

Most patients avoid getting the much-needed orthodontic treatment because they think it can affect their performance when playing sports. This can also be due to the horror stories that they heard of someone having their face ripped on because of the braces at the time they are playing sports.

While this rarely occurs, patients often prefer to be on the safer side. Invisalign aligners can be removed; thus, they can take it off during sports and put them back in after. Check out all the Mistakes to Avoid before starting an Invisalign Treatment.

Learn Clear Aligners

A Better Oral Hygiene

With traditional braces, there are metal brackets and wires attached to the teeth. It’s no surprise why people hate these because they are a chore to clean. Food particles can get stuck in between the wires and brackets and if it is not cleaned immediately, it can cause cavities. There is also a problem where the stains accumulate to the teeth that are very noticeable. Sometimes, teeth whitening won’t work which will leave you with a permanent stain on your teeth.

Invisalign solves this problem since these can be removed. This ensures that you won’t use special brushes to clean these. You can brush as you brush your teeth.

There are many other reasons people choose Invisalign over traditional methods. This is the best option if you don’t want to feel embarrassed wearing those metallic straighteners and a perfect choice if you hate doing a lot of maintenance to your teeth.

Mistakes to Avoid When Starting an Invisalign Treatment

Sources:

• Orthodontics Via Silicon Valley
• History of Orthodontics https://books.google.com/books?id=UNNhyMz_fowC&pg=RA1-PA237

You won’t be wearing braces for the rest of your life. The day will come where your orthodontist will remove that metal bracket and wires off your teeth and will reveal a perfect set of teeth that you’ll be proud to show off. Unfortunately, not all patients can get their braces removed on the projected time frame. If you want to get rid of these types of Dental Braces for Adults faster, here are some tips for you.

Read Getting Braces Put On

Be Wary of What You Eat

Eating healthy foods is a step to getting off your braces faster. But remember that these are not quick-fix solutions, but this makes sure that your teeth will move safely, quickly, and faster than your average treatment time.

• Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar and starch to prevent buildup of plaque that can cause cavities and tooth decay.

• Do not eat gooey or gummy foods like caramel, gummy bars, braces, and other foods that might stick to the braces and prevent it from working effectively. Constant chewing will be tough on the braces, and it could bend the wires out of place.

• If you can’t avoid eating hard foods such as bread, raw vegetables, or meat you need to chop it up to bite-size pieces. Remember to chew the food carefully.

• Eat only foods. Do not attempt to chew on hard objects or anything that is not food such as pens, pencils or biting your nails as it can damage the wires.

What To Expect When First Getting Braces

Take Care of Your Braces

If you take good care of your braces, you’ll be able to recover faster and speed up the process of getting it off your teeth faster. With many wires and brackets located in your mouth, the food particles can get lodged in it. Interested in this treatment? Find out the without insurance.

Use only soft-bristled toothbrushes when cleaning your teeth. Remember to brush your teeth in circular motion when cleaning your teeth. We prefer that you use an electric toothbrush for a more consistent technique and efficient cleaning.

Read : Expect These During Post-Braces Orthodontic Appointments

Make sure to floss daily. Flossing helps to avoid plaque buildup of the plaque between the teeth and gum and it allows the braces to work efficiently. The healthier your mouth is, the more likely the teeth to shift into the position faster.

When you are using elastics, make sure to use it as prescribed. Although wearing these elastics may be uncomfortable at times, and it is difficult to wear it at night, these are important in helping your teeth to be straighter. When you are wearing the bands, make sure to relax your jaw and try not to grind your teeth. The movement will put pressure on the teeth and aid in the alignment process to work correctly. You also need to be thorough when cleaning your braces particularly with teeth alignment for kids.

Source: How does it work and what does it cost?

When your brackets get broken, it can be an inconvenience. Some people even get anxious or scared when it comes off during the duration of their treatment. Luckily, it is not a hard fix and it is not an immediate concern. Read correcting your bite.

Here we’ll discuss what causes the brackets to break and what you can do if it happens to you.

What Causes the Brackets to Get Broken

It is not uncommon for the brackets to break. As a matter of fact, the common problems patients of orthodontists face is getting the brackets broken.

This is due to the fact that these are fragile, and lightweight especially with kids clear braces. With this in mind, you should have known by now that the common cause is what you put in your mouth. During your consultation, your orthodontist will recommend foods that you can and cannot eat. For instance, you need to avoid hard foods such as popcorn, candies, and ice.

Your brackets won’t break apart on your first bite of a hard food, but if you continue on doing that it could completely snap. It can also cause the brackets to become loose. Remember that the Average Cost may not include replacement brackets if they break so take care of them.

A less common reason these break is when you are too aggressive with brushing your teeth that it has caused injury in your mouth. When brushing your teeth remember to only do gentle strokes and in a circular motion. This helps prevent the snagging of the wire bracket and will result in a cleaner teeth. Mouth injury is often encountered during sports like basketball or football. Use a high-quality mouthguard to protect your teeth.

What Happens if a Bracket on the braces Comes Off

You need to understand that when the brackets come off. it shouldn’t always be treated as an emergency situation. Since this is a common problem, there are many things you can do to try to fix it before your orthodontist can reattach it. But if you don’t take it to your orthodontist sooner, it can have long-term consequences that will not only cause a lot of damage to your teeth, but also increase the treatment time and treatment cost.

The brackets are the ones that put pressure in the areas of your mouth. When a piece of it is missing, it won’t be able to shift to its target position. This will result in most of your teeth returning to its original position.

If these have not entirely come off, expect to experience mouth sores. This is due to the portion of the bracket attached against the cheeks or gums. Over time the sore will worsen and when it is left untreated, it can cause an infection.

Read – Foods to Eat and Avoid With Braces

How to Fix a Broken Bracket

When this occurs, the first thing you need to do is to assess the situation. Do not panic, because the more you panic the more you’ll have a hard time figuring out what to do. Inspect the bracket carefully then determine the extent of the damage. Check if it is loose or still attached to your teeth.

When it is loose, remove it from your mouth and store it in a safe place. You’ll have to bring these on your next visit so that they can safely reattach it. When it is partially attached, check if the loose side is poking on your teeth or gums. Check for signs of bleeding.

Get straighten your teeth.

You need to contact your orthodontist as soon as you can. During the call, your orthodontist will ask questions that will help then get a better view of your situation such as the extent of the damage, and what causes your brackets to come off. Describe what happened in detail. You will need an appointment time to meet with your orthodontist to fix it and make the necessary adjustments.

Check out Our Office.

With the advent of modern dentistry, there are various options in correcting the alignment of your teeth which means that you won’t be tied to wearing traditional braces. One of the benefits of Invisalign compared to braces is that these are nearly invisible to the naked eye but can still do the job of straightening the alignment of the teeth effectively. Learn more about bite alignment.

Have you decided that this will be your treatment? Then keep on reading to help you avoid these common mistakes:

Not Seeing the Right Specialist

When it comes to this type of dental treatment, you don’t go to a general dentist and expect to get the best results. The only specialist qualified for this treatment is an orthodontist who has completed special training and education in Invisalign.

Not Doing Your Research

Before making an appointment, you need to be well informed and this is where you should have done your intensive research about Invisalign. When you are knowledgeable about this treatment, you’ll feel better during the consultation as you’ll know exactly what your orthodontist is talking about. You can also ask questions, but make sure to write down your questions before asking them. Request for the before and after photos of his or her work. Sometimes it’s not about how many patients the orthodontist has treated; it’s the quality of their work that matters.

You do not Understand the Invisalign Ranking System

Now that you are looking for the right orthodontist to perform the treatment, you noticed that there is an accreditation associated with the specialist you are interested in. What these are is Invisalign’s ranking system. The ranks are based on the number of patients the orthodontist has treated with Invisalign aligners. The ranking is as follows: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and VIP. There is also a ranking with a plus in the title – this shows that they are more experienced within their level. When you seek a VIP Diamond Plus orthodontist, expect the best results.

Read Why choose invisalign treatment?

Not Wearing Your Aligners for the Required Time Frame

What is great about these aligners is that you can take them out when you eat or clean your teeth. You also won’t worry about these breaking your mouth when playing sports as all you have to do is take it out. But it is important to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours per day. Do not skip a day without wearing it because the teeth can shift back which will increase the treatment time. It is also more expensive since the subsequent aligners will no longer work and you’ll need a new set.

Expecting it to work Overnight

There are a lot of reasons patients love this orthodontic treatment. However, even if it is a more modern solution to traditional braces, do not expect it to work overnight. There are various stages that your teeth will have to undergo before it can straighten your teeth. The average treatment time is from six to twelve months, but it is possible that you’ll notice minor changes in your teeth every day. It is possible that your teeth will improve, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll have to stop wearing them. Consult your orthodontist first to find out if you are safe not to wear these aligners anymore.

More about average cost for treatment.