Clear Braces
San Antonio

Thinking about straightening your smile with orthodontics, but don’t want your treatment to be obvious to others? You should know about clear braces.

Clear braces are a subtle alternative to traditional braces that teens and adults both love. Talk to our orthodontists in San Antonio, TX, about the benefits during a free initial consultation.

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Call Us: (210) 479-2000

How Do Clear Braces Work?

Clear braces work just like traditional metal braces do, but the archwire is translucent and the brackets are made of tooth-colored porcelain rather than metal. The two types of orthodontics address the same dental alignment issues, including:

Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Open Bite
Overcrowding
Gapped Teeth

Your orthodontist will attach ceramic brackets to the front surfaces of your teeth and then thread an archwire through the brackets. This wire exerts constant gentle pressure on the teeth to guide them into their intended position. Your orthodontist may attach clear elastic bands to the brackets to apply additional force that encourages movement.

Clear braces treatment generally takes 12–36 months, depending on the complexity of the case. You’ll visit our San Antonio, TX, offices for periodic checkups so your orthodontist can switch out the archwire and ensure your treatment is progressing as planned.

Clear Braces vs. Invisalign Weighing Your Orthodontic Options

We’re proud to offer both clear braces and Invisalign® clear aligners for patients who want less conspicuous orthodontic treatment. You can explore the advantages of both here, and your orthodontist can help you determine the best option for your needs during your free consultation.

Dr. Richard D. Hulme was one of the first orthodontists to earn board certification.

Appearance

Clear braces are comprised of tooth-colored brackets and a clear archwire. It’s hard for other people to notice you’re wearing them.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of thin plastic and rest flush against the teeth, so they’re even less noticeable than clear braces.

Diet

When wearing clear braces, it’s best to avoid hard and sticky foods that could crack a bracket or get stuck in the wire, like nuts or gum.

You can take clear aligners out before eating, so you won’t have to avoid any foods during treatment. However, you must be sure to brush and put your aligners back in immediately after eating.

Upkeep

There’s almost no upkeep associated with clear and metal braces other than brushing and flossing with a bit of extra care and attending your orthodontic checkups.

Invisalign clear aligners require more of a commitment than braces. They must be worn for at least 22 hours a day to be effective, which doesn’t work well with some schedules. They also have to be cleaned at least once a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush, toothpaste, and lukewarm water.

Effectiveness

Clear braces can treat mild, moderate, and some severe orthodontic concerns. Our orthodontists are better able to customize treatment to your needs.

Without an archwire, clear aligners can’t exert the same force as clear braces or traditional braces, so they’re mainly used in mild to moderate cases.

Orthodontic Treatment Made Easy 5-Star Reviews From San Antonio, TX

Everyone is friendly. They are professional, gentle and friendly! My daughter always have a positive experience during her visits. Thank you Hulme Orthodontics!

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So glad we came to see Dr. Hulme. He explained everything in detail. Answered all my questions. All of the staff was soo nice. We would definitely recommend them.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Braces in San Antonio

Why should I bother straightening my teeth as an adult?

In addition to the cosmetic benefits, it’s worth straightening your teeth at any age to benefit your dental health. Simply put, straighter teeth are easier to keep clean. You can decrease your risk of cavities, infection, and other issues for years to come by aligning your smile now.

Can teens get clear braces?

Yes! Teens make great candidates for clear braces and traditional braces. We can also discuss clear aligner therapy as an option for the right teen candidates.

Will my braces stay clear throughout treatment?

Your brackets can stay clear as long as you’re diligent about your oral hygiene. The ceramic material is prone to staining from dark foods and beverages, like tomato sauce and coffee, so thoroughly brushing after eating can do a lot to keep your braces clear and your smile bright.

Do traditional braces have any advantages over clear braces?

A tried-and-true orthodontic solution for decades, traditional metal braces are also available at our San Antonio offices. Ceramic brackets are generally less durable than brackets made from metal, which means the archwire laid across them can’t exert quite the same force as it could in a traditional braces system. Therefore, patients with especially severe or complex misalignment are often better served with metal braces.

Clear Braces
San Antonio

How Do Clear Braces Work?