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Which Type of Braces is Right for Me?

Home » Blog » Which Type of Braces is Right for Me?

girl smiling

Long gone are the days when there was only one option when you were told you needed braces. While traditional metal braces are still highly effective and sometimes the best choice for an individual, there are several types of braces you and your orthodontist can choose from these days. Whether you’re a full time professional looking for the boost in confidence that comes with a straighter smile, or you’re a parent researching how braces will work for your child or teen, we have an orthodontic solution to share with you.

In this post, we’ll go over the different types of braces we offer here at our Oklahoma orthodontic practices. Then when you come in for a consultation, we can discuss which specific type of braces would best meet your orthodontic needs and suit your lifestyle.

Traditional Metal Braces 101

metal bracesTraditional metal braces are a highly effective orthodontic treatment method that has been around for generations. Metal braces use brackets that are bonded to each tooth and linked together by an arch wire, which is secured in place by rubber bands. Your orthodontist will periodically tighten the wire during your appointments, which will gradually adjust the teeth until they reach the desired position in your mouth.

With advances in technology over the years, metal braces are more comfortable for patients than they ever have been. Any pain that the patient experiences is usually confined to just the few days after braces application or wire tightening. Otherwise, traditional metal braces are very manageable, with a few slight modifications to your daily teeth cleaning and some simple dietary restrictions such as food that is exceptionally sticky or chewy.

We also like to mention to families that kids with metal braces can choose from a variety of bright colors for their brackets and rubber bands. We think this makes orthodontic treatment a little more fun and helps to personalize the experience for your child, making him or her a bit more invested in keeping up with the treatment plan.

What are Ceramic Braces?

Ceramic braces are similar to traditional braces in how they work, but they’re much less visible than metal braces. The brackets are made of a ceramic material that is clear or tooth-colored and blends nicely into your smile, making your orthodontic treatment hardly noticeable to those around you.

The aesthetic benefits of ceramic braces are what make them a particularly appealing treatment option for teens and adults who would rather keep their braces discrete in their professional and social lives. Ceramic braces are truly the best of both worlds since they’re equally as effective as traditional braces while remaining much less conspicuous.

Your Invisalign Providers in Oklahoma

Invisalign is an even more discreet orthodontic treatment option than ceramic braces. Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear plastic retainers that are custom fitted to your top and bottom teeth. Every two weeks, you switch to a new set of retainers because each retainer is shaped slightly differently to gradually direct your teeth the position prescribed by your orthodontist. Your treatment plan is even mapped out in advance to help you visualize the results you will soon be seeing in your own smile.

Besides being virtually invisible in photos and in person, Invisalign has a variety of other unique benefits that lessen the impact of your orthodontic treatment on your everyday lifestyle. For instance, Invisalign aligners can be taken out when you brush your teeth and floss each day, so you don’t have to learn any new dental hygiene techniques like you do with most braces. The fact that Invisalign aligners are removable also means you can eat foods normally forbidden with traditional braces, like popcorn and gummy bears, as long as you clean your teeth afterwards, of course!

The brand has even developed Invisalign Teen for adolescents who have all of their permanent teeth when beginning orthodontic treatment. Invisalign Teen is popular among active high school students who don’t want traditional braces interfering with their playing sports or musical instruments, and would like to avoid having their orthodontic treatment documented in their yearbook picture. We can all understand that feeling!

Your Oklahoma Orthodontists Will Help You Decide

Still not sure which type of braces you should choose? Don’t worry, this post isn’t the only information you will receive from us on braces, you certainly won’t be making the decision on a type of braces alone. As your trusted Norman, Mustang and Oklahoma City orthodontists, we will thoroughly evaluate your smile and make recommendations about the types of braces that would work best for your specific orthodontic needs and your lifestyle.

Schedule a consultation at one of our offices today, and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, or anything orthodontics-related!

Keep Smiling, Oklahoma!

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Joe A.
Your people have done an exceptional job with my daughter and her braces. She just had them taken off and we couldn’t be happier.
Response from the owner:Hey Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that your daughter is happy with her braces and the care she received. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional service, and it's rewarding to know we made a positive impact. We appreciate your support!
Amber S.
We’ve had a great experience from start to finish. Everyone there is super friendly and made my daughter feel really comfortable every step of the way. The whole process went smoothly, and her smile looks amazing now! Definitely recommend them if you’re looking for a place that takes great care of their patients.
Response from the owner:Hi Amber. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made your daughter feel comfortable and that the process went smoothly. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care to all our patients. We look forward to seeing you again!
Cathey N.
I was recommended to Craig and Streight in Mustang several years ago for my boys to start their orthodontist journey. We absolutely love them!! I could not of asked for a better experience for myself and my boys! 💗 Cathey, Carson & Ethan
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Don J.
All three of our kids have had braces from Craig and Streight, and it’s been a very positive experience with all three.
Response from the owner:Hi Don. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that your children have had such a positive journey with us. It's wonderful to know that our team has made a difference for your family. We appreciate your trust and support!
Jessica C.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere of this office! Every single interaction we had was nothing short of superb! So thankful to have found a great orthodontist to work with over the next couple years!
Response from the owner:Hi Jessica. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the atmosphere and had such positive interactions with our team. We're excited to be part of your orthodontic journey and look forward to providing you with exceptional care in the coming years!
Barbara F.
My only issue with today’s appointment was the 30 minute I had to be seen. Once I was called back, my hygienist was calm and considerate and showed me how to use my Invisalign.
Response from the owner:Hey Barbara. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad to hear that your hygienist provided calm and considerate care during your appointment. We appreciate your feedback regarding the wait time, as it helps us enhance our patient experience. If you have any further concerns, please feel free to reach out to our office manager. Your input is invaluable to us!
John N.
Great place with excellent service for kids, but the wait was too long.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Lillian Maxey (.
awesome staff! so sweet and helpful and had a great experience with my invisalign and them!
Response from the owner:Hi Lillie. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact during your Invisalign journey. Your kind words motivate us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Ladan M.
We had a great experience. Professional and caring personnel and super amazing Dr. Straight made it an easy choice to work with.
Response from the owner:Hi Ladan. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team, including Dr. Streight, made such a positive impact. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kelly P.
Just started my fourth kid in treatment today. No where else we would go…from the front desk gals, fresh coffee for this tired momma, the hygienist, the dentists…it’s always been a great experience. Wonderful staff making amazing smiles!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Kelly. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family feel at home with us. Our team is dedicated to creating a positive environment, and it’s great to know that our efforts are making a difference. We look forward to continuing to support your family's journey to amazing smiles!
Artoya
Staff and the doctor were very friendly and they explained everything in detail.
Response from the owner:Hey Artoya. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our team provided friendly service and thorough explanations. Your experience is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it!
David B.
Took my twin girls in for braces today and we had an amazing experience. The entire staff went out of their way to answer all of our questions and they were so sweet with the girls. The girls left with new braces and big smiles and I left with confidence in my desicion. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Hi David. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact on you and your daughters. It's great to know that everyone left with smiles and confidence. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent care for your family!
Melissa M.
We love Craig & Streight! They have always been so friendly and helpful!
Response from the owner:Hi Melissa. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that you love our team at Craig & Streight. Providing friendly and helpful service is our priority, and your kind words inspire us to keep delivering the best experience possible!
Chuck K.
I've had nothing but the best-ever experience at CSO; from check-in to the clinics, the staff is all one one page, professional and SO very friendly. They're living the corporate ethos, and it shows! If you need orthodontics, it's CSO for me from now on!
Response from the owner:Hi Chuck. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. It's great to know that our commitment to professionalism and friendliness is making a difference. We look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent care in the future!
Tiffany R.
The greatest staff and doctors! They made a challenging situation so much easier. Huge hearts, professional and went above and beyond. I’m so appreciative.
Response from the owner:Hi Tiffany. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to make a challenging situation more manageable for you. Our staff is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care, and it's heartwarming to know their efforts made a positive impact. We truly appreciate your kind words!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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