Braces
At Donegal Orthodontics, we offer ceramic and clear brackets for those who want or need fixed appliances but don’t want the ‘metal’ appearance.
Benefits of
Braces
Convenient
Fixed appliances are stuck to the surfaces of the teeth and are very reliable with less compliance required – great for busy people. Fixed appliances cannot be left out or lost!
Value for Money
The traditional fixed appliances are cost – effective but may take a few more and longer visits to our office than the ‘aligner’ type treatments. Overall treatment times are similar to Invisalign.
Appearance
Some patients like the appearance of fixed appliances, and the clear ceramic alternatives, especially teenagers, whose friends have or are undergoing similar orthodontic treatments.
Types of Braces
Available
The type of brace you need will depend on what type of problem you have. There may be a choice of brace depending on the severity of the problem and the overall goals of treatment.
'Train Track Braces' Fixed Appliances
In our practice, we use self-ligating brackets that apply extremely light forces making these treatments comfortable, a little quicker and require fewer visits than the older generation of brackets. We also use ‘Tip Edge’ brackets that are also low friction and allow treatment of more severe types of bites. These fixed braces are well tolerated, very accurate and suitable for many orthodontic treatments.
Advantages of Fixed Appliances
Ceramic White Brackets
Having braces doesn’t necessarily require highly noticeable metal brackets and wires. Ceramic White braces are a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces and provide patients with an equally effective treatment.
Ceramic braces a great option for patients that are concerned with the cosmetic look of having braces because they aren’t as easily noticeable, but maintain the effectiveness of metal braces.
Popular
Treatment Process
as ‘train track’ braces are exceptionally reliable and are a great way to align teeth and correct smiles for many patients.
Tailored
to You
The type of brace you need will depend on what type of problem you have. There may be a choice of brace depending on severity of the problem and the goals of treatment.
White
Ceramic Braces
White (ceramic) brackets can be used for adult clients, but they do have some minor draw backs. These draw backs can be overcome with good patient motivation and a couple of extra visits.
What Our Clients Say
Are Braces for Me?
Fixed braces are suitable for children, teens and adults and can tackle even the most complex cases as efficiently as simple corrections.
When it comes to your teeth, we take all the necessary steps to ensure the treatment chosen is suited to your orthodontic needs. At your first appointment, we will take the necessary x-rays and scans as well as provide you with expert advice on orthodontic treatments for you.
Request Your
First Appointment
Love Your Smile
FAQ's
Most Frequently Asked Questions
An attractive smile can bring life-long benefits in terms of self-confidence, socialising and even career opportunities.
In addition to the cosmetic/social advantages of having a beautiful smile, well-aligned teeth are easier to clean. Patients who have had orthodontic treatment will gain long term health benefits by maintaining better dental hygiene.
After extensive scientific research and many technological advances, orthodontic treatment is easier than ever. Treatments are now shorter, more comfortable, and require fewer visits. Orthodontics is now a realistic option for anyone regardless of age or previous dental care.
The type of brace you need depends on what your desired results and existing concerns you have. The choice of brace depends on the severity of the problem and the goals of treatment.
Braces will not mark your teeth, but it is important to thoroughly clean your teeth and braces throughout treatment. If dental plaque builds around the brace, the plaque itself may damage your teeth.
Methods on how to clean your teeth and braces will be provided throughout your treatment and an interdental brush with instructions on how to use special brushes will be given.
Cleaning your teeth will be easy with clear aligners, as these can be taken out to brush and floss your teeth as normal.
Invisalign and clear braces are similar, in that they are more discrete than metal braces. While the two treatments have the same mission, there are some differences between them.
- Invisalign aligners are removable and are virtually transparent, almost unnoticeable during treatment. White/ceramic braces bond to the patient’s teeth and are clear/tooth coloured. These brackets systems still require wires and are more noticeable than Invisalign aligners. Ceramic bracket treatments can be very effective for certain problems, especially for adult orthodontic clients.
- Invisalign can be removed to wash and floss teeth. Ceramic braces are fixed to the teeth and won’t be removed until the treatment has been completed. Ceramic brackets can occasionally pick up stain over time in certain situations.
- Removal of ceramic brackets can generate high forces and very very rarely can damage the enamel surface. We are very careful and experienced in removing these brackets, but this is a rare and recognised risk.
- Invisalign treatments will require small attachments on certain teeth to generate the correct therapeutic forces, these are necessary to achieve the accuracy required to finish to the highest standard. These are easily removed with no risk.
- Certain clinical problems are more suited to Invisalign, certain other problems are more suited to fixed appliance (ceramic) treatments. We will guide you as to the best option depending on your needs and preferences.
Please also be cautious of ‘fruit’ in the form of fruit drinks and smoothies and fizzy drinks. Taken to excess these acidic drinks will cause enamel loss and erosion of your teeth. This is irreversible and can cause sensitivity and loss of tooth structure. Water is better, healthier and cheaper than these types of drinks – again occasional intake will be no problem, but frequent doses will cause problems.
Sports enthusiasts should limit/avoid energy/isotonic drinks as that are also high in sugar and acid. They don’t tend to work unless you are under extreme conditions, ie endurance events on hot days.
With care most types of food can be eaten safely.
Ceramic braces can treat all the same problems as traditional metal brackets and are especially efficient at aligning teeth and closing extraction spaces.
There are recognised pros and cons for all treatment types and we can explain these to you as part of the planning process. Different alignment issues can require different treatment plans and ceramic brackets can be considered as part of this process.
At your first appointment, we will take 3D scans, X-rays and photographs to determine the right diagnosis and treatment needs. Treatment options and plans will then be discussed to consider any choices and obtain the best possible results.
Orthodontists and their team members are highly trained specialists who will prioritise your orthodontic needs, health, safety, and treatment success.
Braces will not mark your teeth, but it is important to thoroughly clean your teeth and braces throughout treatment. If dental plaque builds around the brace, the plaque itself may damage your teeth.
Methods on how to clean your teeth and braces will be provided throughout your treatment and an interdental brush with instructions on how to use special brushes will be given.
Cleaning your teeth will be easy with clear aligners, as these can be taken out to brush and floss your teeth as normal.
CARE OF YOUR TEETH AND APPLIANCE
- Brush your teeth 3 times every day. Time yourself for 3 minutes and brush every surface of the tooth. Move the brush gently along the gum line using a small circular motion. Brush in and around all the brackets and wire of your braces. Be gentle but thorough. You do not need to scrub hard! Don’t forget to clean the inside surfaces next to the tongue.
- Please use the Interdental brush (smaller brush) after you have brushed with the orthodontic toothbrush. This small brush is excellent at getting between the brackets and into any small spaces.
- When flossing, threat the end nearest the cotton, into the bottom of the tooth on the lower teeth and the top of the tooth in the upper teeth, and gently rub up and down each side of the tooth. Don’t snap it down in between the teeth as you may damage the gum. Work methodically so that each tooth is flossed.
- Please use a fluoride mouthwash last thing at night, every night.
- The disclosing tablets- the disclosing tablets aim to check how well you are brushing your teeth.
Please read the information leaflet before using the disclosing tablets.
- Brush your teeth as normal
- Chew the tablet in your mouth but do not swallow it.
- Rinse your mouth out with water.
- Look in the mirror. Are there any pink areas on your teeth? This is the plaque that has been ‘disclosed’ and shows where you need to clean more.
- Brush your teeth again to remove the plaque (pink area).
Our professional and friendly team are on hand to assist you Monday to Friday between 9 to 5 PM.
We can book an appointment for you over the phone on 074 912 9400 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Alternatively, you can request an appointment via our website at any time of the day by completing the ‘request an appointment’ form online.
Our team will be in touch within 24 hours from your request, to book a date and time that’s convenient for your first appointment with our specialist team.
We look forward to welcoming you into our clinic and discussing your orthodontic needs further.
