Your dentist will know which appliance is best for your particular problem, but you often have a choice. There are usually three types of braces: the most popular type is a bracket, metal, ceramic, or plastic that adheres to the teeth. Ceramic stents are usually transparent or tooth-colored and are less noticeable than metal stents. The tongue, or hidden, is the brackets that are attached behind the teeth and hidden from view. Both brackets use wires to move the teeth to the desired position.
The new choice for traditional braces is a series of clear, customizable removable devices called aligners. Not only are these brackets invisible, they are also removable so they do not trap food and plaque between teeth like metal brackets. You will each aligner for about two weeks and can only remove it for eating, brushing and flossing. For adults with mild spacing problems, this may be an option. Invisible braces are not suitable for children and adolescents who are still waiting for permanent teeth.
