Ceramic braces - yes or no? This question was asked, probably, by every patient who faced the problem of choosing a particular type of jaw plate. After all, it is really important to determine which option will be the most suitable in terms of effectiveness for leveling the dentition, and give preference to the material from which the plate will be installed on the jaw with maximum efficiency.
It is difficult to imagine such a person who would not want to have a perfect smile. Most people have congenital pathologies of tooth construction, problems of malocclusion and distorted growth, or rather curvature. But not everyone resorts to artificial alignment of teeth by means of plates, and in vain.
A healthy snow-white smile is one of the most important aesthetic factors influencing facial expression, dictating mimic beauty and responsible for the euphony of speech. After all, an incorrect bite or wide teeth gaps contribute to the appearance of obstacles in the pronunciation of certain sounds, which spoils colloquial speech and interferes with normal constructive communication. And wearing a plate is a real way out of the situation.
Ceramic braces for teeth alignment
When choosing the composition and material of braces, many people prefer ceramic ones. They are complex non-removable special devices that are fixed on the inner or outer surface of the teeth, and contribute to their consistent correction and alignment over the time allotted by the orthodontist.
Such designs have several subspecies in their classification, have many pros and cons, and differ in price.
How much do ceramic braces cost, and what determines their price?
The cost of a ceramic plate is much more expensive than a metal or plastic one, but at the same time, its price is much more attractive than the cost of a sapphire bracket system. What affects the price level for the installation of ceramic braces?
- The place of treatment and the procedure for fixing braces. When choosing dentistry, you must first consult on the pricing policy of a medical institution. The higher the level of his accreditation, the higher the level of qualification of the attending physician, the more expensive this procedure will be, respectively.
- Separate components of complex treatment. The placement of ceramic braces is just one step in the long and difficult process of straightening crooked teeth. In addition, the patient needs:
- undergo a preliminary medical examination with the formation of images, casts, calculation of a treatment plan;
- purchase a specific bracket system;
- regularly visit the attending physician for advice regarding the progress of treatment and undergoing plate adjustment procedures;
- carry out the procedure for removing orthodontic structures;
- put a retainer - an orthodontic device necessary to fix the alignment results.
And all these items are included in the estimate, which the patient will need to pay.
- Bracket manufacturer. Different manufacturers of orthopedic construction charge different amounts for their materials. So, for example, the Clarity SL brand from 3M Unitek takes an average of 180,000 rubles for its product, the In-Ovation C from GAS costs about 120,000 rubles, the QuicKlear brand model from FORSTADENT costs about 130,000 rubles. The cheapest warrant is Damon Clear from Ormco - about 110,000 rubles.
- Classification of ceramic devices according to adjustability. There are two types of braces:
- ligature - structures that are attached to the arc of the plate using rings and wire; the main mechanism here is the ligature - it securely holds the arc in a fixed position;
- ligatureless - are considered a breakthrough in orthodontic medicine, because they do not require monthly visits to the doctor to correct the bending of the bracket and are self-adjusting. In such braces there are no hooks and ligatures at all, which is very convenient for the patient both in wearing (they do not cling to the tissues of the internal oral cavity) and in correction (the patient can make it himself).
The cost of the first devices described is naturally higher than the price of the second ones. So, the average cost of ceramic ligature brackets for one jaw is on average from 40,000 to 50,000 rubles, and the price of ceramic non-ligature brackets varies from 130,000 to 175,000 rubles.
- Classification by type of construction. Methods for fixing ceramic devices are also divided into two subspecies:
- vestibular - those that are attached to the outer side of the jaw;
- lingual - those that are fixed on the inside of the teeth.
The latter are distinguished by the complexity of fasteners, but at the same time they have a great privilege: such braces are not visible to others and do not spoil the aesthetic appearance with their intimidating appearance. However, the price of such structures ranges from 190,000 to 230,000 rubles and more, depending on the manufacturer. Not everyone can afford such pleasure.
Thus, having analyzed the level of change in the cost of installing ceramic braces according to some indicators, we can summarize: the payment for this procedure depends on many factors, so it is impossible to name any relatively generalized average price for this operation. But you can compare the ceramic bracket system with other types of similar devices.
To understand which type to give preference to, you need to know their differences from each other. To do this, it is necessary to consider the pros and cons of ceramic structures compared to others.
Which braces are better: ceramic or metal?
When a dilemma arises in front of the patient - metal or ceramics - he consults with an orthodontist. And together they consider three fundamental factors that directly affect the subsequent choice of the patient.
- Price . Ceramic braces are much more expensive than metal braces. This is one of the negative signs, because of which many patients do not prefer ceramics.
- wearing period . The metal has a more durable and fixed structure, which allows a person wearing a metal plate to go through a year and a half with it and come to the desired result during this period. Ceramics, in this regard, is inferior to its cheaper counterpart, because the service life of ceramic structures is worn longer than metal ones by several months. And this is a disadvantage for the patient.
- Aesthetics . Ceramic braces have a much more well-groomed, neat and inconspicuous appearance than a pile of iron in the mouth, which is metal equipment. Therefore, here the advantage is reserved for ceramics.
Everyone proceeds from their needs and capabilities. Therefore, it is up to everyone to decide which braces to install for themselves, because beauty is important to someone, and money in their pocket is important to someone.
Which braces are better: sapphire or ceramic?
In addition to metal, plastic and ceramic systems, there are also sapphire ones. They are most often compared with ceramic ones, because they are similar to each other in some of their characteristics.
Sapphire braces in their appearance look even more attractive and inconspicuous than ceramic ones. According to their composition, they are an artificial sapphire strung on a bracket, which looks like a transparent stone. This stone, being in the adhesion of the plate on the teeth, is practically invisible during communication. Therefore, if you choose between sapphire and ceramic in terms of aesthetic appearance, more privileges are given to the first composition.
But beauty is worth the sacrifice. And these sacrifices, in this case, are manifested in the price. Sapphire braces are the most expensive of all existing today. How elegantly they are executed, so high a price will have to be paid for them. And this fee is much higher than the fee for the ceramic composition.
As for the terms of use, here they are worn on a par with ceramic devices: no longer, no less. The same can be said about the effectiveness of alignment of the dentition - the functionality of sapphire braces is the same as that of ceramic ones.
Having made a brief review of ceramic structures in the chain of various systems, as well as considering the degree of their effectiveness and ease of use, we can conclude that ceramic braces are the most relevant and rational to use today. Their invisibility when worn, well-groomed appearance and effectiveness of the impact on the leveling process makes many choose the ceramic bracketing system. The only thing that can confuse is the rather high cost of this service. But already the first results of the procedure leave no doubts in patients about the correctness of their choice and the payback of this process.
