Fixed Braces and Clear Aligners

Fixed Braces and Clear Aligners

At Atria City Dental Group, we offer a wide range of orthodontic treatment systems.

It can sometimes be difficult to know which system might be best suited for your situation as well as your specific wants and needs, which is why it is important to work with an orthodontist that is well versed in a broad range of systems and treatment modalities. They will be able to guide your decision making process and discuss the options that would produce the results you desire.

Fixed Orthodontic Braces

This system is probably what most people first think of when it comes to orthodontic treatment. It involves metal brackets temporarily bonded to teeth, with the brackets then connected to wires and elastic bands. The wires and elastic bands are applied and adjusted by an orthodontist in order to guide your teeth to the desired position. Braces are a tried and true orthodontic system. They are the most versatile orthodontic system and are therefore very effective at treating a broad range of misalignments and bite issues, and this makes them a capable system that can be utilised to address simple or complex cases.

There are a few subcategories of fixed braces:

Fixed metal braces

• Metal fixed braces are the quintessential form of an orthodontic treatment system. They are reliable, versatile and cost effective. They can even be customised with a range of elastic colour options.

Fixed ceramic braces

• Ceramic braces work the same way as metal fixed braces, but instead of stainless steel, the brackets bonded to teeth are made out of ceramic. The colour of the ceramic can blend in with the colour of your teeth and this can be a more aesthetic option for some patients.

Self-ligating braces

• This orthodontic system is very similar to fixed braces, but works in a slightly different way. In certain situations, they have the potential to be a faster and more comfortable option. If your orthodontist feels that you might benefit from this system, they will discuss the option with you.

Lingual braces

• These fixed braces are bonded to the inside surface of your teeth (close to your tongue) as opposed to the outside surface (close to your cheeks and lips). Because of this, they are almost unnoticeable when people look at your teeth. They can therefore be a great cosmetic choice.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a newer system for orthodontic treatment. Following assessment and planning with an orthodontist, a series of clear trays are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth. The trays push slightly on your teeth, and over the series of trays, gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. Since these trays are clear, this system has the benefit of being more low-profile. They can also be removed to make it easier to clean your teeth. However, this system is not suitable or ideal for all situations, and it is important to get the opinion of an experienced orthodontist to know if it is the right system for you.

There are a few subcategories of clear aligners:

Invisalign

• Invisalign is one of the leading brands in clear aligner technology, and they provide a fairly versatile treatment option. Your orthodontist will work with Invisalign to design your clear aligners and plan your treatment.

Customised clear aligners designed in-house

• These clear aligners are an orthodontic solution similar to invisalign, but they are designed in-house and constructed by our dental lab. This allows a high degree of customisation to your specific dental needs, and can also be more cost effective.