Orthodontic Solutions for Summer Smiles

As the sun shines brighter and the days stretch longer, there’s no season like summer in San Francisco. Summer is a season full of smiles—whether you’re enjoying the sunny days in the city, heading somewhere tropical and warm, or simply spending time with friends and family. It’s the perfect time to focus on feeling your best, and as the saying goes, you’re never fully dressed without a smile! We know that the word “braces” doesn’t trigger feelings of confidence in many, but there’s a variety of orthodontic solutions tailored to help you achieve your best smile without the stress. Our top three alternatives to traditional braces are ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign. Each has pros and cons, but all three will keep you smiling brightly all year long.

Ceramic Braces

When you think of braces, the first thing that often comes to mind are the metal brackets attached to each tooth. Ceramic braces flip this narrative, offering a subtle yet effective alternative to traditional metal braces. Unlike their metal counterparts, ceramic braces swap the clunky metal for clear or white brackets that blend in with your natural teeth so they appear less noticeable. They might sound like an inferior version of Invisalign at first, but they have some significant pros: they can address severe alignment issues more effectively than Invisalign, so they may be a better choice if you have a complex case. Ceramic braces also work faster than Invisalign so that you can show off your perfectly straight smile even sooner.

Lingual Braces

If you don’t remember ever seeing a friend with lingual braces, there’s a good reason: they’re worn on the back of the teeth instead of on the front, making them almost invisible! A newer option in orthodontics, lingual braces use the same hardware as regular braces and can treat cases ranging from mild to severe. Just like ceramic and traditional braces, they’re fixed to the teeth and remain in place 24/7, so patients looking for a set-it-and-forget-it option will prefer them to clear aligners that must be removed before meals.

Invisalign

Perhaps the most popular among the three, Invisalign is the brand name for clear aligners, a modern orthodontic treatment alternative to braces. Unlike lingual and ceramic braces, no brackets (and no metal!) are involved in Invisalign treatment. Instead, clear aligners are used to straighten the teeth gradually. Treatment for Invisalign consists of swapping out the aligners for a new set approximately every other week, and they need to be removed during meals, so they aren’t the most hands-off treatment. However, taking them off for meals means patients can enjoy their favorite foods without worrying about breaking a bracket or getting food stuck in their braces. In terms of visibility, Invisalign falls between ceramic and lingual braces: the aligners are clear, and there’s no wire, but they’re still somewhat visible.

Whether you’re opting for a totally invisible look with lingual braces or a tried and true classic with Invisalign in San Francisco, there’s an option to keep you smiling confidently all summer long.