Braces Options in NZ – Types, Trends & Aligners

Braces have come a long way since their invention. Whether you are a teen looking for a perfect smile or an adult looking for a more subtle solution, modern orthodontic treatment options are suited to varying lifestyles, aesthetic preferences, and dental complexities.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of braces, their pros and cons, comparisons like metal vs. ceramic braces and clear aligners vs. braces, and help you determine the best option, especially if you’re an adult in the UK wondering about the best fit for your needs.

What are Braces Used For?

Braces are orthodontic appliances that align the teeth, reposition the jaws, and advance oral health. Whether you’re dealing with crooked teeth, overcrowding, gaps, or bite issues, braces gently shift teeth into their proper position over time using constant pressure.

Understanding Orthodontic Appliances

Orthodontic appliances are the devices used to correct misaligned teeth and jaws. They apply gentle pressure over time to move teeth into the desired position. The primary types of orthodontic appliances include:

• Traditional Metal Braces
• Ceramic Braces
• Lingual Braces
• Self-Ligating Braces
• Clear Aligners
• Other Appliances: Palatal Expanders, Headgear, Retainers

Traditional Metal Braces

For more than a century, traditional metal braces have remained the most widely used choice for orthodontic treatment. They consist of metal brackets and wires attached to teeth, connected by a thin wire and an elastomeric band. While they are more obvious than other options, they are robust and highly effective in achieving desired results.

How Do They Work?

Metal braces apply pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into their desired position. Your orthodontist will adjust the wires and elastomeric bands periodically to ensure the continual activation of the braces. Treatment time varies with each case, but normally it ranges from 6 months to 3 years.

Pros

• Effective: Metal braces are highly effective in treating complex orthodontic issues, including severe misalignments.
• Ideal for All Ages: Metal braces can be used by both adults and teens.
• Customizable: You can opt for different-colored elastomeric bands to add a touch of personalization to your braces.

Cons

• Visibility: Metal braces are easily visible to others, which can be a major concern for adults who prefer a more discreet option.
• Discomfort: Initially, you may experience pain and discomfort for a little bit since the pressure is applied to the teeth, while the mouth and gums adjust to the braces.
• Oral Hygiene Issues: Cleaning around the brackets and wires takes time and can be difficult, requiring extra effort to maintain good oral hygiene.
• Food Restrictions: Certain food items, particularly sticky or hard ones, may need to be avoided to prevent damage to the braces.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces provide a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. The braces have clear or tooth-colored porcelain brackets, making them less visible.

How Do They Work?

Similar to metal braces, ceramic braces use brackets and wires that gradually move teeth into their desired positions. The major difference is in the aesthetic appearance of the ceramic brackets, which blend in with the natural colour of your teeth, making the braces less visible.

Pros

• Aesthetic: Ceramic braces are hardly noticeable, like the traditional metal braces. Therefore, many adults prefer this ideal option.
• Effective: Ceramic braces can effectively treat a wide range of orthodontic issues.
• Customizable: Clear or colourful elastomeric bands can be used with ceramic braces, allowing for personalization.

Cons

• Cost: Ceramic braces will cost you much more than the traditional ones made from metal.
• Potential for Staining: If clear elastomeric bands are used to secure the wires to ceramic braces, they may become stained by colored foods or poor oral hygiene.
• Fragility: Ceramic brackets are more vulnerable to chipping and cracking than metal ones.

Clear ceramic braces can be a good option for those who want to straighten their teeth without people noticing the braces. If you want a treatment that is even less noticeable, clear aligners such as Smilepath Clear Aligners might be the right choice for you.

Clear Aligners

How Do They Work?

The first phase for any orthodontic treatment, including clear aligner treatment, is a thorough examination by the orthodontist of the teeth, face, and jaws, following which a diagnosis and a treatment plan will be formulated to suit your needs. First, a digital scan or impression of your teeth is taken to create a 3D model of your mouth. Based on this model, custom-made aligners are designed to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position.

Each set of aligners is worn for one to two weeks and is removed only during eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. Progress is made from one series of aligners to the next as teeth gradually shift into their final alignment.

Another approach would be to monitor the progress of your treatment remotely by taking pictures of your teeth with your smartphone and sending them to your orthodontist via an Aligner Tracker App . You can also be advised on when to switch to the next aligner. This will mean fewer visits to the dentist's office as your orthodontist checks the progress of your treatment remotely, offering enhanced convenience for you.

Pros

• Invisibility: As they are hardly noticeable, invisible braces appeal to adults who wish for a discreet way to improve their smile.
• Removability: With removable aligners, you can clean your teeth easily and eat and drink as you normally would.
• Comfort: As they are made of smooth plastic, clear aligners usually do not irritate the gums or cheeks. It's the smaller adjustments per aligner that make them more comfortable than braces.
• Predictable Results: The advanced computer systems in clear aligner treatment ensure your treatment outcome is predicted with precision.

Cons

• Compliance: Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours daily. Following the treatment rules is important, so if you suspect you won’t comply, look for a better treatment option.
• Not for Severe Problems: Not all serious orthodontic cases or those requiring large tooth rotations benefit from clear aligners. Your dentist may be able to offer a mix of clear aligners and fixed braces – this is worth asking about.
• Speech Impediment: Sometimes, within the first day or two with clear aligners, patients may speak with a temporary lisp or speech impediment.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are a hidden alternative to traditional braces. They are placed on the back side or tongue side of the teeth, making them virtually invisible from the front.

How Do They Work?

Lingual braces function similarly to traditional metal braces, but the brackets and wires are attached to the back of the teeth. This allows for discreet treatment without compromising effectiveness.

Pros

• Invisibility: Lingual braces go behind your teeth, so they are highly appealing for those wishing for a less noticeable treatment option. But sometimes you can see them when you open your mouth.
• Effective: Lingual braces can treat various orthodontic issues, including complex cases.
• Customized: Since they are customised, they match the shape of your teeth, providing both comfort and good results.
• No Staining: Since lingual braces are placed on the back of the teeth, there is no risk of visible staining.

Cons

• Initial Discomfort: The placement of lingual braces may cause initial discomfort and affect speech until you get accustomed to them because of the proximity to your tongue.
• Oral Hygiene Difficulties: It is sometimes trickier to obtain a clean mouth when there are lingual brackets and wires than when there aren’t.
• Cost: Treatment with lingual braces is often more expensive, as they are customised and set in place differently from traditional braces.
• Adjustment times: Adjustment periods may take longer than the usual braces seen outside the teeth.

Lingual braces offer the same effective results as traditional braces but are hidden behind the teeth, making them far less noticeable. Orthodontists are essential for accurate placement of these braces, ensuring they effectively correct misalignments, and for ongoing adjustments to achieve the desired results while minimizing discomfort.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces use a specialized bracket design that eliminates the need for elastomeric bands.

How Do They Work?

Self-ligating braces use a sliding mechanism to hold the arch wire in place, which reportedly allows for more efficient and comfortable tooth movement. These braces may need fewer adjustments and maintenance appointments than traditional braces.

Pros

• Faster Treatment: Since self-ligating braces may broaden the initial phase of orthodontic treatment, they make the most rapid development toward orthodontic perfection in straightening teeth.
• Fewer Adjustments: Because self-ligating braces do not require adjustments quite as frequently as traditional ones, fewer visits to the office are needed.
• Easier Maintenance: Cleaning self-ligating braces is generally easier, as there are no elastomeric bands or ties to clean around.
• Reduce Discomfort: With a sliding mechanism for moving the arch wire into the bracket in self-ligating braces, minimal friction and corresponding discomfort related to traditional braces are experienced.

Cons

• High Cost: Self-ligating braces are more expensive than conventional braces since they require a special bracket system.
• Bracket Failure: The sliding mechanism of self-ligating brackets may fail after extended use, potentially necessitating additional visits to replace the failed bracket(s).
• Not Suitable for All Cases: Self-ligating braces do not tend to work on their own for most cases of severe orthodontic problems or when extensive tooth rotations are required.

Metal Braces vs. Ceramic Braces

Metal Braces

• Pros: Durable, effective, and relatively inexpensive.
• Cons: May cause discomfort, highly visible.

Ceramic Braces

• Pros: Less visible, and effective for most cases.
• Cons: More fragile, may stain, and more expensive.

To sum up, choose metal braces for their long-lasting and cost-effectiveness, and ceramic braces if mainly concerned about aesthetics.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

Clear Aligners

• Pros: Most people won’t see them as they’re almost invisible, can be removed easily, and are designed to be comfortable.
• Cons: You have to be disciplined, and it does not work for complex cases.

Traditional Braces

• Pros: Can handle complex cases, and no compliance is required.
• Cons: Visible, dietary restrictions, potential discomfort.

To sum up, if you are an adult with mild to moderate issues, clear aligners may be your best choice, but for complex cases, traditional braces work best.

Other Orthodontic Appliances

Palatal Expanders

Purpose: Used to widen the upper jaw to correct crossbites and create space for crowded teeth.

Considerations:

• Age Factor: Most effective in children and adolescents.
• Adjustment Period: May cause temporary discomfort and speech changes.

Headgear

Purpose: Applies pressure to the upper teeth and jaw to correct overbites and other alignment issues.

Considerations:

• Wear Time: Typically worn for several hours daily or overnight.
• Visibility: External appearance may be a concern for some patients.

Braces Comparison Guide

Best Braces for Adults in NZ

Adults looking for effective and aesthetically pleasing orthodontic solutions have several excellent options to consider:

• Traditional Metal Braces: These are the most common and affordable braces. They’re very effective for all dental corrections, but are the most noticeable option.
• Self-Ligating Braces: Similar to metal braces, but use a clip instead of bands, which can reduce treatment time and need fewer trips to the dentist.
• Clear Aligners: Popular brands like Smilepath offer nearly invisible, removable trays. These are especially favored by adults and professionals who want a discreet, convenient option.
• Ceramic Braces: Made with tooth-coloured materials, ceramic braces allow less visibility than metal braces, but give the same level of strength. They are best for those who want a balance between effectiveness and aesthetics.
• Lingual Braces: Because they go behind the teeth, they’re not visible from the front. They are more costly and can cause discomfort at first.

Smilepath Clear Aligners: Discreet Way to Straighten Teeth

Smilepath Clear Aligners offer a modern, hassle-free way to straighten your teeth without the discomfort or visibility of traditional braces. These custom-made, transparent trays gently shift your teeth into alignment, without metal wires or frequent dental visits. Designed for at-home convenience, Smilepath aligners are nearly invisible, removable, and ideal for busy adults or teens looking for a confident smile. With affordable plans, expert monitoring, and effective results, Smilepath is a discreet and smart solution to achieve a perfectly straight smile.

Breaking Down the Process

Choosing the Right Orthodontic Solution

Choosing the right type of braces depends on your individual needs, lifestyle, and budget. From traditional metal braces to modern clear aligners, the above-discussed orthodontic appliance options are suited for every smile. Anyone who wants a discreet, comfortable, and easy way to straighten their teeth can choose Smilepath Clear Aligners. With nearly invisible, removable trays and expert remote monitoring, Smilepath makes achieving a confident smile easier than ever, perfect for busy adults looking for effective results without the hassle of traditional braces.

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