Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces work like metal braces, but the brackets are tooth-coloured or clear, so they blend in with the teeth and are less noticeable. At Suman Dental Care they are planned and fitted by Dr. Aashka Doshi, an orthodontist (MDS, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics). Treatment commonly takes 12–24 months, but this varies from person to person.
Step by step
- 1Consultation and records
The orthodontist examines your teeth and bite, and takes photographs, X-rays and impressions or a scan. If a wider scan is needed, you will be told where to have it taken.
- 2Choosing the bracket type
You discuss whether ceramic brackets suit your bite and habits. Some people have ceramic on the front teeth and metal on others.
- 3Fitting the braces
A tooth-coloured bracket is bonded to each tooth and a wire is fitted. No injection is needed, and fitting usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
- 4Regular adjustments
Every 4–6 weeks the wire or its ties are changed so the teeth keep moving gradually. Take extra care with any ceramic bracket, as it is more brittle than metal.
- 5Removal and retainers
The brackets are carefully removed, the teeth are polished and retainers are fitted to hold the new position.
- Teenagers and adults who want fixed braces that are less visible
- Crowded, overlapping or gapped teeth, and many bite problems
- People who can keep their teeth and brackets very clean
- Not always the right choice for a deep bite or heavy biting forces; your orthodontist will advise
Teeth and cheeks are sore for about 3–5 days after the braces go on, and for a day or two after each adjustment. Soft food and your usual pain relief help, and orthodontic wax eases rubbing.
Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods, and do not bite into hard things such as apples or sugarcane, as ceramic brackets can chip or break. Brush after meals and clean between the wires with an interdental brush. Strongly coloured foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, turmeric curry and cola, can stain the elastic ties, which are replaced at each visit. If a bracket breaks or a wire pokes, call the clinic. See the braces aftercare card.
- Brackets can break or chip more easily than metal ones.
- Elastic ties can stain; clearer ties are changed at each visit.
- Larger brackets can feel bulkier and may rub the lips and cheeks.
- Enamel wear: ceramic is hard and can wear teeth that bite against it, so your bite is checked.
- Decay and white marks can form around brackets if cleaning is poor.
- Relapse: without retainers, teeth tend to drift back.
What affects the cost
We don't publish prices online. After an examination you get a written estimate that lists each item.
Payment by card, cash or UPI.
Questions patients ask
Are ceramic braces invisible?
No. They are less noticeable than metal braces because the brackets match the tooth colour, but the wire and brackets can still be seen up close.
Are ceramic braces as effective as metal braces?
They move teeth in the same way and can treat most of the same problems. Some bites are better suited to metal brackets, and your orthodontist will tell you which. See metal braces.
Do ceramic braces stain?
The ceramic bracket itself resists staining, but the small elastic ties can pick up colour from tea, coffee, curry and cola. They are changed at every adjustment.
How do ceramic braces compare with self-ligating braces?
Self-ligating braces use a built-in clip instead of elastic ties and can be made with metal or ceramic brackets. Ceramic describes the bracket material; self-ligating describes how the wire is held.
Are ceramic braces more painful?
Not in general. Soreness for 3–5 days after fitting and a day or two after adjustments is normal with any type of braces.
Questions about this treatment?
Send a WhatsApp message or book an examination. The dentist explains the options before anything starts.