| Lots of patients ask about clear brackets when | | | | the teeth and they have a smooth profile that |
| getting braces, but some brands are giving other | | | | provides optimum comfort for wearers. |
| clear brackets an undeserved bad reputation for | | | | Good Hygiene Can Prevent Stains And Improve |
| staining easily. | | | | Treatment |
| It's true that some brands of less expensive clear | | | | Even patients with clear brackets that aren't ICE |
| brackets become discolored with wear. Foods | | | | brackets can take measures to ensure they stay |
| such as tomato sauces, soft drinks, coffee, tea | | | | looking aesthetically pleasing. |
| and grape juices can discolor some clear brackets | | | | Brushing within 20 minutes after eating foods or |
| over time. | | | | drinking beverages that can stain the teeth and |
| However, there are some quality brackets on the | | | | the brackets is a good practice for keeping teeth |
| market that do not stain. Some orthodontists use | | | | white and tooth decay at bay. On average, |
| Inspire ICE brackets. The brackets, made from | | | | braces wearers should brush their teeth two to |
| crystal-clear sapphire, are more stain resistant | | | | four times daily with a non-whitening toothpaste. |
| than brackets made from porcelain or plastic | | | | Using a whitening toothpaste only whitens the |
| compounds, which can be more porous. | | | | portions of the teeth that aren't covered by |
| ICE brackets also are the only entirely | | | | brackets, so once those brackets are removed, |
| transparent bracket on the market and they | | | | patients can be left with spots on their teeth |
| practically disappear once placed on the teeth. | | | | where the brackets were. |
| The enamel on our teeth has a pigment and | | | | Patients with clear brackets often also have clear |
| everyone's tooth color is slightly different, which | | | | ligatures, so it is important to have the ligatures |
| makes it difficult to find a tooth-colored bracket | | | | changed regularly, as they can stain more quickly |
| to match everyone. Using this clear colored, | | | | than the brackets. |
| high-quality bracket means that it pulls in the color | | | | The cleaner the brackets, the less friction created |
| from the teeth, no matter what shade the teeth | | | | as far as orthodontic movement goes. That |
| are. | | | | means the braces can move the teeth faster. |
| In addition to the aesthetic benefits of ICE | | | | Patients who do not brush and floss properly run |
| brackets, they are two times as resistant to | | | | the risk of getting inflamed gums, which can |
| breakage as other ceramic appliances. They also | | | | make it more difficult for the orthodontist to |
| require less force when they are removed from | | | | properly align the teeth. |