What are colored braces?
Colored braces do not differ in characteristics from standard orthodontic structures. Modern dentistry offers many such devices. The range of bracket systems includes designs of various colors and shapes.
Such devices are intended for:
- correction ;
- alignment of the dentition;
- restoration of the normal position of individual teeth.
On this topic
- Braces
Choosing the best brush for cleaning braces
- Maria Konstantinovna Tevs
- October 5, 2020
Colored braces, in contrast to standard metal structures, avoid the psychological discomfort that patients experience when wearing orthodontic appliances. By restoring the bite, they simultaneously serve as a decorative element that adorns the teeth.
The range of colors for bracket systems includes 6 standard shades:
- yellow;
- red;
- white;
- pink;
- blue;
- green.
Expensive dental clinics offer more than 20 shades.
Design features
A color change can be achieved by staining the entire orthodontic structure or its individual elements, known as ligatures. The use of the latter significantly reduces the cost of the device.
Ligatures are made from colored rubber bands of increased elasticity. They are used to give the arch that corrects the dentition the required tension.
The ligatures are fixed on the brackets and arches of the bracket system. They almost completely cover the unaesthetic metal parts of the structure.
Multi-colored braces are made from the following materials:
- metal;
- plastic;
- ceramics;
- sapphire.
On this topic
- Braces
How to use wax for braces
- Maria Konstantinovna Tevs
- October 5, 2020
Metal models provide maximum dental correction. With the help of such braces, it is possible to achieve the desired result in a shorter period of time. This explains the high popularity of metal models.
Among the disadvantages of such structures, low aesthetic appeal stands out. It is with such devices that colored ligatures are most often used.
Plastic models are considered the most affordable orthodontic structures used for teeth correction. They are highly durable and have an aesthetically attractive appearance. Plastic braces are available in clear or colored varieties.
The third type of structure consists of a metal arch and ceramic brackets that are fixed to the teeth. Such models are highly expensive. Ligatures are used with ceramic structures in cases where there is a need to hide a metal arc.
Sapphire braces are more expensive than other orthodontic devices. The high cost is due to the material from which such systems are made. The latter are characterized by an aesthetically attractive appearance. Ligatures with sapphire systems are also used to mask the metal arc.
Varieties
According to market research, colorful braces are popular mainly among children and young people. They are also preferred by extraordinary people who are self-confident and who like to emphasize their individuality. The more mature age category, most often, chooses invisible braces, the color of tooth enamel.
Colored ligatures
To satisfy all these consumer demands, manufacturers produce ligatures of all colors and shades, as they say, for every taste.
In addition to the color range, a curly line of braces was launched. The shapes come in a variety of shapes, from simple hearts to geometric shapes and cute animals. Such designs look original and cute, and children are simply delighted with them.
What materials are these medical accessories made from? There are several options:
- steel _ It sounds reliable, which is why it is considered the most popular. In addition, the steel structure is flexible and hypoallergenic. It retains its properties throughout the entire course of dental therapy;
- gilding _ This spraying will not cause irritation. The design itself is highly resistant to the external environment. These braces look elegant, like jewelry. An ideal choice for business people;
- an economical option is braces with colored rubber bands, called ligatures by professionals;
- plastic locks.
The plastic construction is quite durable, so you don’t have to worry that this material will be less effective in straightening your teeth.
Who is suitable for colored braces?
Colored braces are mainly intended for children and teenagers. Orthodontic structures of this format were developed primarily for this category of patients.
Children have a negative attitude towards the need to wear braces. In this regard, some of them strive to remove structures ahead of time by any means. Colored braces of various shapes and sizes are designed to suppress this desire.
Children love bright colors. They have a positive attitude towards colored orthodontic structures, which make them stand out from their immediate surroundings.
On this topic
- Braces
Find out what to do if braces rub your cheeks
- Maria Konstantinovna Tevs
- October 5, 2020
It is more difficult with the second group of patients. Teenagers are attentive to their appearance. And they do their best to prevent the installation of braces. Original orthodontic structures, on the contrary, attract increased attention from the environment, which is necessary for teenagers.
Adult patients are less likely to have color devices installed. However, even among this category of people there are those who are ready to experiment with their appearance.
Ligatures for braces. Example photo
Ligatures are special attachments made of rubber. They can be of any color: from pastel to acid-bright. By the way, there is also a fashion for ligatures, so now it is popular to produce them in the form of various shapes, for example, hearts or stars. Ligatures are needed to firmly secure the bracket to the surface of the teeth.
Photo 1. A photograph of teeth with braces installed on them with blue ligatures.
Photo 2. Braces on teeth with colored ligatures in the shape of card suits.
Photo 3. Teeth with metal braces installed on them with ligatures of various shapes.
Advantages and disadvantages
Colored ligatures are a way to make your smile unique. However, this device has pros and cons, which we will discuss below.
The advantages include:
- Reducing the load on teeth. Ligatures are made of soft materials that reduce the load on the teeth, but the structure remains just as strong and reliable.
- Do not cause allergies. The materials from which braces are made are safe and do not cause irritation or inflammation.
- Do not stain. Products made from metal can gradually become colored under the influence of dyes that are included in food products, but in the case of alloys, their color will remain unchanged.
- They help complement the image. Appearance is important today for people of all ages. Therefore, multi-colored ligatures are a great way to add a “small” zest to an image.
- Removes the psychological barrier. Most children refuse to wear braces because they think it is completely unsightly. And students fear they will be laughed at at school for having an "ugly" metal structure in their mouth. However, colored ligatures make bite straightening structures less “terrible”, so it is easier for a person to decide to have one installed.
Among the disadvantages of wearing ligatures are:
- Price.
- Regular inspection.
- Wrong color selection.
Rules for choosing colors
The duration of wearing braces depends on the type of anomaly. Most orthodontic structures are installed for at least 1 year. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of a color device, taking into account certain nuances:
- There is no need to install white braces. They will stand out against the background of the teeth, muting the tone of the enamel.
- Yellow ligatures are suitable for those who have white enamel. If the surface of the teeth is covered with stains, then colored braces will enhance their shade.
- Bright ligatures are suitable for gray enamel. If your teeth have a dark shade, then it is recommended to opt for black, burgundy or blue braces.
- Bright green, red or orange devices are suitable for those who want to stand out from others.
- You can emphasize your individuality if you choose ligatures that match your eye color.
- Designs in calm shades are suitable for men, pink or turquoise for women.
- For children, it is recommended to choose braces, each bracket of which has its own shade.
Modern orthodontic designs provide for activation of the device at certain intervals. During this procedure, the patient has the opportunity to change the color of the ligatures.
What color should I choose braces?
The advantages of colored braces include individual selection of the color and shape of the ligatures. The child can choose the design he likes. In the future, this will help to avoid psychological problems during bite correction. Well, as for teenagers, independent choice is the default.
But how to choose the best option? Here are some tips on this matter:
- The brighter and more saturated the colored ligatures on braces, the visually lighter the tooth enamel will appear against their background. Therefore, if you have a gray or yellow tint to your tooth enamel, it is better for you to give preference to dark tones. The ideal option would be black; it creates a strong contrast between the white enamel and the ligatures. For the same purpose, you can try other shades. For example, dark blue or maroon;
- universal colors suitable for all types of teeth are blue, red and deep blue;
- Based on the external characteristics of the face, it is advisable to choose the color for the eyes. This combination looks very impressive.
Girls prefer delicate colors. For example, pink and turquoise. Guys are more conservative in their choices. The most popular combinations are blue + purple and different shades of green.
For those who like experimenting, there is an interesting technique - a combination of different colors. Great combinations are purple + raspberry or orange + red. These colors go one after another: first orange, then red, then orange again, etc.
Features of care
The rules for caring for colored braces do not differ from those that apply to standard orthodontic structures. The patient needs:
- Clean regularly using special brushes. The latter effectively remove food particles accumulated between individual structural elements and plaque from metal surfaces.
- Brush your teeth after every meal . This approach eliminates the possibility of developing carious processes.
- Use brush .
- Stop using floss. There are special models that do not deform the ligatures and the corrective arch.
- Rinse your mouth after drinking coloring drinks. This ensures that the original color of the structure is preserved.
- Reduce or completely avoid eating hot food. Exposure to high temperature negatively affects the condition of the ligatures.
If the structure is damaged, you must contact an orthodontist to replace the brace system.
Advantages and disadvantages
Colored braces correct malocclusions with the same effectiveness as standard braces. At the same time, they have a number of significant advantages:
- Comfortable to wear. The grooves of the structure are additionally reinforced with a metal arc. It provides a tighter fit.
- Provide psychological comfort. This is especially important when the bite is corrected in children.
- Ligatures are made of hypoallergenic material. Therefore, colored braces do not harm the patient’s body. They also do not irritate the oral mucosa.
- Reduces stress on teeth. This effect can be achieved through the use of elastic ligatures.
- Colored designs hide defects. They do not change color after consuming coloring products. In addition, colored braces mask food debris and plaque.
- Quick to get used to.
What do multi-colored braces look like?
The first braces appeared at the end of the 19th century. They were rarely used, only in difficult clinical situations. With the development of orthodontics, braces have improved. And along with metal structures, aesthetic analogues appeared. But the developers didn’t stop there; bright, colorful designs were created especially for little researchers. Teenagers can not only choose the color of braces themselves, but also change shades during each subsequent correction.
In fact, the effect of a cheerful multi-colored range is achieved not through the plates themselves, but with the help of ligatures that serve as arc clamps in the groove of the locks. In general, the orthodontist uses the same classic metal or aesthetic braces. If the treatment is based on the use of a self-ligating technique, the plates are deprived of wings with which elastic bands are attached. The arch is held in place by a latch included in the bracket itself. Thus, when using non-ligature systems, it will not be possible to achieve the effect of multi-colored braces .
