Re: Clear Braces vs. Metal Mouth

October 12, 2004

I've had no problems with the clear...except that they cost more

The benefit of not feeling like a " metal mouth " at age 23 was

definitely worth it though! To speak to the strength question, I've

never had a bracket break or fall off and they've been on there

nearing 2 years now. *knocks on wood*

-Zoe

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

I've had no problems with the clear...except that they cost more

The benefit of not feeling like a " metal mouth " at age 23 was

definitely worth it though! To speak to the strength question, I've

never had a bracket break or fall off and they've been on there

nearing 2 years now. *knocks on wood*

-Zoe

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

Hi,

When I had my braces put on in May 2003, I requested clear on the

top 8 and metal on the others. I was told that clear were more

brittle but I've had no problem with the few that I have. I didn't

put clear on the bottom because I couldn't really see them and was

told that the bottom tend to get more wear.

Carole Anne

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

Hi,

When I had my braces put on in May 2003, I requested clear on the

top 8 and metal on the others. I was told that clear were more

brittle but I've had no problem with the few that I have. I didn't

put clear on the bottom because I couldn't really see them and was

told that the bottom tend to get more wear.

Carole Anne

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

I had clear (I assume you mean ceramic, not Invisaline) and there are

a couple drawbacks. From what I understand, the clear brackets are a

tad larger and may be a bit rougher on the inside of your mouth (mine

have caused numerous canker sores, although metal may have done the

same if I had them in). I've had a couple brackets break, but nothing

major. In the end, I think that they are a good choice as most people

tell me they can't notice them unless they are right up in my face

and looking.

October 12, 2004

I had clear (I assume you mean ceramic, not Invisaline) and there are

a couple drawbacks. From what I understand, the clear brackets are a

tad larger and may be a bit rougher on the inside of your mouth (mine

have caused numerous canker sores, although metal may have done the

same if I had them in). I've had a couple brackets break, but nothing

major. In the end, I think that they are a good choice as most people

tell me they can't notice them unless they are right up in my face

and looking.

October 12, 2004

The question, I think, is not whether your ortho will allow the clear

ones, but whether your surgeon will (I'm assuming you're headed for

surgery, too). And it's not that they're not strong enough,

ironically; it's that they're too strong.

My ortho would not use ceramic on the lowers, because he said that

they are so strong that they'd break a tooth before they'd pop off.

He did use them on the uppers and metal on the lower. The drawback

for surgery is that they can splinter, and if a chip of one goes into

your lung, it cannot be found on an x-ray and may cause you serious

troubles. I have never heard of this happening, I hurry to add, but

it was a caution in my contract with the ortho.

Gratuitous suggestion: In retrospect, I would go for all metal,

surgery or no, if I had to have more ortho (heaven forbid! twice

around this block is quite enough!), because I found the metal ones

more comfortable. (I was 56 at the time of surgery, which may be very

different from your circumstances.)

Cammie

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

The question, I think, is not whether your ortho will allow the clear

ones, but whether your surgeon will (I'm assuming you're headed for

surgery, too). And it's not that they're not strong enough,

ironically; it's that they're too strong.

My ortho would not use ceramic on the lowers, because he said that

they are so strong that they'd break a tooth before they'd pop off.

He did use them on the uppers and metal on the lower. The drawback

for surgery is that they can splinter, and if a chip of one goes into

your lung, it cannot be found on an x-ray and may cause you serious

troubles. I have never heard of this happening, I hurry to add, but

it was a caution in my contract with the ortho.

Gratuitous suggestion: In retrospect, I would go for all metal,

surgery or no, if I had to have more ortho (heaven forbid! twice

around this block is quite enough!), because I found the metal ones

more comfortable. (I was 56 at the time of surgery, which may be very

different from your circumstances.)

Cammie

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

I opted for metal after asking the same question in here and getting

that answer about the possibility of clear chipping during surgery and

being aspirated. Yikes!

Plus, it sounds like metal is a little smaller and therefore more

comfortable. (Although, on day 7 of having braces, if this is

comfortable I hate to think what clear would feel like!)

I don't think the metal looks bad, either. I got maroon o-rings and am

trying to think of them as just another accessory.

Luna

> >

> > Hi all!

> > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

> the

> > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

> tell

> > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Kim

October 12, 2004

I opted for metal after asking the same question in here and getting

that answer about the possibility of clear chipping during surgery and

being aspirated. Yikes!

Plus, it sounds like metal is a little smaller and therefore more

comfortable. (Although, on day 7 of having braces, if this is

comfortable I hate to think what clear would feel like!)

I don't think the metal looks bad, either. I got maroon o-rings and am

trying to think of them as just another accessory.

Luna

> >

> > Hi all!

> > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

> the

> > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

> tell

> > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Kim

October 12, 2004

I agree with everything Cammie said, but I'd like to add one other thing:

I have the ceramic braces on top and I've found that the clear, white,

and tooth color o-rings tend to stain *very* easily. So, if you're

like me, and a major coffee addict, be prepared to have your braces

look yellow/brown by the time you get to your next Orthodontist

appointment every 4-6 weeks. They only stay clear for a week or two

with heavy coffee drinking (2-4 cups/day).

If I were to go through it again, I'd opt for the metal braces.

~Jen

> >

> > Hi all!

> > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

> the

> > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

> tell

> > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Kim

October 12, 2004

I agree with everything Cammie said, but I'd like to add one other thing:

I have the ceramic braces on top and I've found that the clear, white,

and tooth color o-rings tend to stain *very* easily. So, if you're

like me, and a major coffee addict, be prepared to have your braces

look yellow/brown by the time you get to your next Orthodontist

appointment every 4-6 weeks. They only stay clear for a week or two

with heavy coffee drinking (2-4 cups/day).

If I were to go through it again, I'd opt for the metal braces.

~Jen

> >

> > Hi all!

> > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

> the

> > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

> tell

> > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Kim

October 12, 2004

Jen, or anyone else who has had clear/tooth-colored braces: Can

they be cleaned by the orthodontist each time you see him/her? Or

are you stuck with the yellow color? My friend has these braces,

and I've noticed the stained color. Is there anyway to clean them

yourself?

> > >

> > > Hi all!

> > > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and

whether

> > the

> > > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly

would

> > > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or

OS

> > tell

> > > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would

think is

> > > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Kim

October 12, 2004

Jen, or anyone else who has had clear/tooth-colored braces: Can

they be cleaned by the orthodontist each time you see him/her? Or

are you stuck with the yellow color? My friend has these braces,

and I've noticed the stained color. Is there anyway to clean them

yourself?

> > >

> > > Hi all!

> > > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and

whether

> > the

> > > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly

would

> > > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or

OS

> > tell

> > > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would

think is

> > > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Kim

October 12, 2004

The actual ceramic brackets do not stain, it's the o-rings attached to

them that do stain. As far as I know, the only way to be rid of the

stain is to change out the o-rings, which happens with every adjustment.

Someone posted a long time ago that the teal o-rings don't show stains

as much as the clear/tooth colored ones do. But, if you're in the

market for braces that are hard to notice your best bet would be to

avoid foods/drinks that could stain the o-rings and stick with the

clear/tooth colored ones.

Hope this helps,

Jen

> > > >

> > > > Hi all!

> > > > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and

> whether

> > > the

> > > > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly

> would

> > > > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or

> OS

> > > tell

> > > > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would

> think is

> > > > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > > Kim

October 12, 2004

The actual ceramic brackets do not stain, it's the o-rings attached to

them that do stain. As far as I know, the only way to be rid of the

stain is to change out the o-rings, which happens with every adjustment.

Someone posted a long time ago that the teal o-rings don't show stains

as much as the clear/tooth colored ones do. But, if you're in the

market for braces that are hard to notice your best bet would be to

avoid foods/drinks that could stain the o-rings and stick with the

clear/tooth colored ones.

Hope this helps,

Jen

> > > >

> > > > Hi all!

> > > > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and

> whether

> > > the

> > > > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly

> would

> > > > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or

> OS

> > > tell

> > > > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would

> think is

> > > > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > > Kim

October 12, 2004

I would say that if I did it again, I'd go with the metal uppers.

I've had my ceramics pop off a few time pre-op, and on popped off

during the surgery (ahtough it stayed on the arch wire). According

to my Ortho, my teeth are slightly smaller than normal, and

ceramic's have larger bases -- making them easier to come off then

then metals.

Plus it was $300 cheaper (althought spread over 18 months is pretty

insignificat, but if Bush can give everyone a $300 tax rebate and

get reelected, maybe it's not such a small amount? )

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

The clear plastic braces stain with everything (grape juice, wine, spaghetti

sauce). Some people get them because they say you can't tell they have

braces. Some girls at work got hers about the sametime as I did and they

opted for the plastic brackets. Their's have come off and I have had no

trouble with mine. They said I could come to the office every two weeks to

get them cleaned. I opted for gold instead of silver brackets.

Beverly

Re: Clear Braces vs. Metal Mouth

Jen, or anyone else who has had clear/tooth-colored braces: Can

they be cleaned by the orthodontist each time you see him/her? Or

are you stuck with the yellow color? My friend has these braces,

and I've noticed the stained color. Is there anyway to clean them

yourself?

> > >

> > > Hi all!

> > > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and

whether

> > the

> > > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly

would

> > > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or

OS

> > tell

> > > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would

think is

> > > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Kim

October 12, 2004

I would say that if I did it again, I'd go with the metal uppers.

I've had my ceramics pop off a few time pre-op, and on popped off

during the surgery (ahtough it stayed on the arch wire). According

to my Ortho, my teeth are slightly smaller than normal, and

ceramic's have larger bases -- making them easier to come off then

then metals.

Plus it was $300 cheaper (althought spread over 18 months is pretty

insignificat, but if Bush can give everyone a $300 tax rebate and

get reelected, maybe it's not such a small amount? )

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004

The clear plastic braces stain with everything (grape juice, wine, spaghetti

sauce). Some people get them because they say you can't tell they have

braces. Some girls at work got hers about the sametime as I did and they

opted for the plastic brackets. Their's have come off and I have had no

trouble with mine. They said I could come to the office every two weeks to

get them cleaned. I opted for gold instead of silver brackets.

Beverly

Re: Clear Braces vs. Metal Mouth

Jen, or anyone else who has had clear/tooth-colored braces: Can

they be cleaned by the orthodontist each time you see him/her? Or

are you stuck with the yellow color? My friend has these braces,

and I've noticed the stained color. Is there anyway to clean them

yourself?

> > >

> > > Hi all!

> > > My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and

whether

> > the

> > > ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly

would

> > > prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or

OS

> > tell

> > > you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would

think is

> > > that they wouldn't be as strong.

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Kim

October 12, 2004

Hi Kim,

I guess it's just a matter of preference. I may be in the minority

here, but if I had it to do again, I would still get ceramics (I

have ceramic/clear uppers, and metal lowers). I didn't pay extra

for them, and I haven't had any problems with them since I got them

seven months ago. Also, I had problems initially with the clear o-

rings staining, but they just switched me to white wire ties, which

don't stain at all. You can't even tell they're on. Neither my

ortho or surgeon even mentioned the added risks of getting clear

braces. Not sure if that's a good thing ... but as of yet, I

haven't noticed a difference at all between the two, and have been

completely happy with the clear.

>

> Hi all!

> My partner and I were discussing my impending braces and whether

the

> ortho was going to allow clear braces or not. I certainly would

> prefer it. Anybody here have clear braces or have an ortho or OS

tell

> you that you can't and the reason? The only thing I would think is

> that they wouldn't be as strong.

>

> Thanks!

> Kim

October 12, 2004