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Ceramic braces
What are ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces, also known as clear braces, are a type of fixed brace that uses tooth-coloured brackets to discreetly straighten your teeth.
Clear teeth braces can achieve the same precise results as traditional metal braces, with the added bonus of being more discreet, which makes them a popular choice for both adults and teenagers.
Because they’re fixed to your teeth, ceramic braces can treat the most common orthodontic problems, including crowded teeth, overbites and underbites.
How do ceramic braces work?
Clear brackets are attached to the front of each tooth and are connected by a thin metal or tooth-coloured wire. The brace uses gentle pressure to gradually move your teeth into the desired position.
Most patients report that fitting ceramic braces is a pain-free procedure that usually takes about an hour. It involves several stages, which are:
- Preparation: Your orthodontist will polish your teeth and apply a gel (known as an ‘etch’) to the tooth surface. This creates a microscopic texture that ensures the bonding is more effective
- Bonding: Your teeth are rinsed, dried and then painted with a primer. The individual ceramic brackets are then applied to the front surface of your teeth with an adhesive
- Curing: The adhesive is hardened with a curing light which securely fixes the ceramic brackets in place
- Wiring: A thin metal or tooth-coloured wire is threaded through each of the brackets and then secured with clear or tooth-coloured elastic bands called ligatures
While the process itself is pain-free, some patients may find their teeth are slightly sore over the next few days as they become accustomed to their braces.
You’ll need to visit your orthodontist throughout your treatment, typically every six to ten weeks, so they can check on your progress and adjust the wires of your braces. Once you’ve finished treatment, you’ll be given fixed or removable retainers to maintain your new smile.
If you have any questions about the procedure or feel nervous about orthodontic treatment, our friendly team is always happy to answer any queries and help you feel at ease.
How much do fixed ceramic braces cost?
Unlike some NHS orthodontic treatments, ceramic braces are a private treatment option starting from £2,650 to £4,500. The exact cost will depend on your individual needs. Your consultation with your orthodontist will allow you to discuss treatment options, and they will be able to give you an exact cost after your clinical assessment. Ask your practice about payment options.
Spread the cost of your teeth straightening treatment†
Get the straighter smile you’ve always wanted with finance options that suit you, including 0% APR up to 36 months or 7.9% APR over 48 or 60 months.
Ask us about hassle-free finance with Novuna Personal Finance today. T&Cs apply.
How long do fixed ceramic braces take to straighten your teeth?
Pros:
- Discreet: Clear braces are less noticeable than traditional metal braces, which gives some patients greater confidence during treatment
- Convenient: Fixed ceramic braces are bonded to your teeth, so unlike Invisalign braces, you don’t need to worry about taking them out to eat or clean
- Effective: Ceramic braces can treat a range of orthodontic issues, unlike other ‘discreet’ orthodontic options like clear removable aligners which are less appropriate for severe misalignment issues
- Colour: Patients can often choose the colour of the bands for their braces, matching their style or personality
Cons:
- Fixed: Unlike treatments for less severe misalignment (like clear aligners), ceramic braces can’t be removed while treatment is underway
- Food and drink: Crunchy or chewy foods can damage fixed braces, and food and drink with strong pigmentation like red wine or turmeric can stain the clear brackets, so you may need to be careful with what you eat and drink
- Cost: Ceramic braces are generally more expensive than traditional metal braces
Do ceramic braces hurt?
It may take a while to get used to wearing fixed braces, and you might feel discomfort each time you get them tightened. This can be managed with over the counter painkillers.
For irritated areas inside your mouth, pain relief gel can help. You can also ask your orthodontist for special wax to press over areas of your brace that start to rub. If you need any help with pain relief, get in touch with your local practice who will be able to help you.
What to expect at your first ceramic braces appointment
Your first appointment at Total Orthodontics involves a dental exam to check you’re a good candidate for ceramic braces. Your orthodontist will likely take a digital scan of your teeth to assess your bite, and you’ll be able to see a 3D image of your straighter smile. There will also be time to discuss your treatment goals and costs, and to have all your questions answered.
Invisalign treatment
Invisalign treatment uses clear, removable aligners to move your teeth without the need for fixed braces. You can take them out to eat, drink or brush your teeth.
Lingual
braces
Lingual braces work in the same way as fixed metal braces but they’re fitted to the inside of your teeth rather than on the front of them. For this reason, they’re often called ‘hidden braces’.
Fixed metal braces
Fixed metal braces use metal brackets and wire to straighten the teeth. They often cost less than ceramic braces.
Looking after ceramic braces
Some key tips for looking after ceramic braces include:
Avoid staining: The clear brackets or neutral-coloured elastic bands on ceramic braces may stain so avoid highly coloured food and drinks such as coffee, tea, tomato ketchup, berries or red wine. Smoking can also leave yellow marks.
Be careful what you eat and drink: To protect the brackets and wires on your braces, avoid hard or chewy foods like popcorn, chewing gum, crusty rolls, toffees and boiled sweets
Brush and floss regularly: Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once a day
What to expect
At your consultation, we will chat through your options and suitability for different teeth straightening treatments.
*Terms and conditions:
1. Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2. Consultations subject to availability.
3. Free consultations available at participating practices only.
We recognise that when you give us personal information (which includes health information) you’re trusting us to take good care of it. Please see www.bupa.co.uk/privacy for more information about how we collect, use and protect your data.
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Find out more
Invisalign treatment
Invisalign treatment uses clear, removable aligners to move your teeth without the need for fixed braces. You can take them out to eat, drink or brush your teeth.
Fixed metal braces
Traditional fixed braces are made of metal rather than ceramic. They’re a more visible option than ceramic.
Cost of
braces
Find out more about how much braces cost and how you can request an estimate for treatment.
†Finance terms and conditions:
Finance applicant must be aged 18 or over, a UK resident, have a UK bank account and be in permanent employment. All loans are subject to eligibility, status, affordability and a credit check. T&Cs apply. Finance is available on private dental treatments only.
The minimum spend for finance is £250 and the maximum is £50,000. 0% APR representative is available on repayment terms of up to 36 months subject to the amount of credit. Finance taken at repayment terms of 48 or 60 months is subject to 7.9% APR representative.
Total Orthodontics and Bupa Dental Care are trading names of Oasis Dental Care Limited, Vantage Office Park, Bristol, BS16 1GW, whose company registered number is 00478127. Oasis Dental Care Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA registration no: 710559. Oasis Dental Care Limited is a credit broker and not a lender.
Finance is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register no. 704348. Registered Office: Novuna House, Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP. Registered in Cardiff under company no. 1630491. The register can be accessed through; http://www.fca.org.uk/.
Our orthodontists
*Form Terms and conditions:
1. Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2. Consultations subject to availability.
3. Free consultations available at participating practices only.
Total Orthodontics and Bupa Dental Care are trading names of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
