Types of Braces

Thanks to today's technology, patients now have more options when it comes to wearing braces. While regular metal braces are still widely used, clear braces are becoming increasingly popular along with removable appliances that can be used for mild cases of misaligned teeth.
Please read below to learn more about the types of braces we offer at our office and speak with your orthodontist to determine which appliance is right for you.

Metal
Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high-grade stainless steel. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.

Clear
Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal. The only drawback to ceramic brackets is that they are more fragile, and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.

GAC Mystique
Mystique offers the subtlety of a retainer with the strength of metal braces. While remarkably translucent, they're impossible to discolor. They go on easily and are removed just like ordinary metal appliances. They're ultra-smooth, providing excellent sliding mechanics and yet are as strong as metal-slot appliances.

Clarity
Clarity™ braces feature a comfortable design with a translucent appearance. Made from a hard ceramic material, these braces won't stain or discolor. With the same performance as metal braces, many patients are now choosing the clear option – Clarity!

Inspire
If you're looking for a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to metal braces, Inspire! may be for you. Crafted from clear sapphire, these braces are also very strong and dependable. Check with your orthodontist to see if Inspire! is right for you.

Damon
Damon braces were invented by Dr. Dwight Damon. The Damon bracket utilizes (sliding-door) technology known as "self-ligation" that allows the wire to slide back and forth within the bracket.
No elastic or steel ties are used with Damon brackets. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, Damon braces often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed.

In-Ovation R
"R" is a revolutionary new system of braces that is not only faster for your orthodontist to use, it also can significantly shorten treatment time. It's great looking and smaller for greater comfort. Plus, it offers better hygiene than conventional braces.

In-Ovation C
GAC In-Ovation-C utilizes an interactive self-ligating bracket system to enhance patient comfort and shorten treatment time, while also keeping aesthetics in mind. In-Ovation-C uses unique translucent Rhodium-covered clips for cosmetic appeal. Now patients can receive the benefits of an self-ligating bracket system with the aestheics of ceramic braces.

Wild Smiles
Wild Smiles brackets are made from quality stainless steel. They also can incorporate color elastic ties for added individuality. The patented designs can be mixed and matched to give everyone a truly unique smile.

Gold
Gold braces are stainless steel braces coated with 24-karat gold and are popular with patients of all ages.

Invisalign
The Invisalign System is a series of clear overlay templates called aligners that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adult patients with certain orthodontic bite problems. Ask us if you are a candidate for the Invisalign system.

Red, White and Blue
If all you need is a little cosmetic improvement for a great smile and you'd prefer not to have braces, the nearly invisible Red, White and Blue no-braces system may be the treatment for you.
It is similar to the Invisalign system in that a series of clear, customized aligners are designed for you. You will wear each appliance approximately 2-4 weeks in the easy-to-remember Red, White and Blue sequence. The final appliance is designed with all the corrections and can be worn as a long-term retainer.

Self Ligating
Self ligating brackets utilize (sliding-door) technology known as "self-ligation" that allow the wires to slide back and forth within the bracket. No elastic or steel ties are used with self ligating brackets. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, self ligating braces often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed.

Glow in the Dark
Glow in the dark braces are fun for kids of all ages. When your braces aren't "glowing," the brackets are tooth-colored.

Sure Smile
The SureSmile® state-of-the-art technology yields enhanced patient comfort, fewer trips to the office and shorter treatment times. Through 3-D imaging and customizing each patient's archwires, the SureSmile system gives the doctor more control to precisely configure your treatment plan. The Shape Memory alloy wires used in the SureSmile design are more effective than the traditional archwires used in conventional braces, allowing for shorter treatment and less discomfort.

Lingual Braces
Having braces doesn't mean you have to have a "tin grin." Our office also uses lingual braces, which attach to the lingual, or tongue, side of your teeth. Lingual braces are custom-fit for your teeth and treatment plan, and each bracket is manufactured for each individual patient. These appliances are well-suited for adults, who may worry about the aesthetic nature of regular metal braces.

Mini-Twin
The Mini-Twin bracket needs fewer archwires over the course of treatment than standard brackets, which increases the overall comfort for the patient. Many patients enjoy its smaller, more compact size, which enables it to be less noticeable, but not less effective. While its profile is up to 30 percent smaller than its competition, it maintains the standard size for its bracket slots, which enable it to maintain the stability and control so important to the treatment process.

iBraces
iBraces are placed behind your teeth so no one will know that you are wearing braces unless you tell them. These unique braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are 100% customized to the shape of your teeth and to your dental situation. iBraces have the unique prescription that your orthodontist creates for you built-in to ensure you get the results that you want. With iBraces, you get efficient, effective tooth movement and great aesthetics.

SmartClip
The SmartClip™ appliance by 3M Unitek is a unique self-ligating passive bracket system that uses a specially designed clip in the bracket to hold the archwire in place. This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, SmartClip™ brackets often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed.

SPEED System
The Speed Appliance is a self-ligating device made from nickel titanium, making it easier to operate the opening and closing apertures, while offering you strong, reliable materials to make your treatment progress with efficiency and speed. Since this system uses no ties, patients have found it easier to keep clean, resulting in better overall hygiene while in treatment. The self-ligation system also cuts down on patient discomfort and gets rid of the friction caused by other appliances. It is small and less noticeable, giving way to better aesthetics for our patients.

Victory Series
The Victory Series is popular with patients since the brackets and tubes come with a pre-applied, light-sensitive adhesive that enables patients to have controlled, efficient bonding with less waste, trouble and time. The brackets are also color-coded to help your doctor quickly and effectively treat each tooth individually. Because the bonding pads curve to match the shape of the tooth, they can provide more exact, efficient results. The brackets are available in miniature, "low profile," "vertical slot" or gold plating to meet each patient's specific needs.

Insignia
Insignia braces are a revolutionary custom approach to orthodontics. Your braces should be custom-tailored to your teeth, your smile and your treatment plan. With the use of 3-D imaging, Insignia can create precision brackets and wires to better suit your needs, resulting in more comfort and a shorter treatment time for our patients. Orthodontists receive special training and certification to use Insignia's cutting-edge technology.

Mini Diamond
Mini diamond braces are popular with patients of all ages. Noticeably smaller than regular metal braces, this appliance is more comfortable! They're also efficient, yielding the same treatment time as traditional braces. Ask us today about our mini diamond braces!

Herbst Appliance
The Herbst appliance can treat the discrepancy that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower by encouraging the lower jaw to catch up in growth. Even through the Herbst appliance prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, opening and closing movement still occurs easily, and patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.