Ceramic Braces: Pros and Cons, Cost, and Outcomes

Ceramic braces are increasingly popular as they not only provide excellent orthodontic results but also offer superior aesthetics. So, what exactly is this method, what are its pros and cons, and how much does it cost? Let’s explore further with Elite Dental in the article below.

1. What are ceramic braces, and who are they suitable for?

Ceramic braces use high-quality ceramic brackets in combination with archwires and specialized orthodontic appliances. This technique generates stable pulling force, helping to expand, align, and move the jawbone into proper occlusion. It effectively corrects misaligned teeth, malocclusions, and other dental issues, resulting in straight, naturally shaped teeth and a radiant smile. It allows patients to eat, live, and enjoy life with greater confidence and quality.

Ceramic braces are suitable for the following groups of people:

• Crowded, crooked, gapped teeth, overbite, or underbite.
• Misaligned bite issues.
• Jawbone discrepancies, such as an over-protruded upper jaw, a forward lower jaw, a narrow upper jaw, or a lower jaw that shifts to the right or left, causing facial asymmetry or excessive gum exposure when smiling.
• Patients allergic to metal who want to use braces.
• Especially suitable for individuals who frequently interact with others and need to maintain aesthetics throughout the orthodontic process.

2. How much do ceramic braces cost?

The cost of ceramic braces is a common concern and a key factor in helping you make a decision.

The general price range for ceramic braces on the market is as follows:

• Traditional ceramic braces: 25,000,000 – 50,000,000 VND
• Self-ligating ceramic braces: 45,000,000 – 60,000,000 VND
• Ceramic braces with clear wires: 30,000,000 – 80,000,000 VND

These are reference prices only. The actual cost varies based on factors such as the severity of the malocclusion, the type of braces, dental conditions, and other individual needs.

At Elite Dental, the price of ceramic braces is as follows:

>> To get an accurate quote for ceramic braces, we recommend visiting Elite Dental for a consultation. Our dentists will provide a thorough examination and suggest the most suitable treatment plan for you!

3. Advantages and Limitations of Ceramic Braces

Compared to metal braces, ceramic braces offer several outstanding advantages that significantly support the orthodontic process. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Evaluation Criteria	Metal Braces	Ceramic Braces
Material	Made primarily from stainless steel, ensuring safety for oral health.	Made from safe inorganic ceramic alloys, resistant to acid erosion and minimizing irritation to the body.
Aesthetics	Metal brackets are visible on the teeth while eating and speaking, making them less aesthetic and easily noticeable.	Ceramic brackets are white and natural in color, matching real teeth and hard to detect unless closely inspected.
Chewing Capability	Metal braces can feel bulky and uncomfortable during meals due to their angular design.	Ceramic braces are designed to ease chewing, reduce food sticking, and improve oral hygiene.
Adaptability	Metal braces may irritate sensitive individuals, and during the initial period, can cause soft tissue injuries like lip or cheek biting.	Ceramic braces have a smooth design that reduces friction, minimizing damage to lips, cheeks, and gums, and improving hygiene.

Although ceramic braces offer outstanding advantages, they do have some limitations:

• Higher cost: Ceramic braces are more expensive than metal braces because they combine effective orthodontic performance with superior aesthetics, minimizing visibility.
• Fragility: Ceramic brackets are more prone to scratching or breaking with strong impacts. If broken, an entire set of new brackets might need replacement.
• Maintenance: Proper oral hygiene is essential. If neglected, the ceramic base can become stained or discolored.

4. How many types of ceramic braces are there today?

The ceramic braces method is divided into two main types:

4.1 Traditional ceramic braces

Traditional ceramic braces (also known as conventional ceramic braces) operate on the same principle as metal braces. They use elastic bands to secure the archwire within the bracket grooves, creating a firm force to reposition misaligned teeth into their proper positions along the dental arch. This method helps restore a beautiful smile, improve chewing function, and achieve balanced facial aesthetics.

However, over time, traditional ceramic braces may experience issues such as loosened or broken elastic bands. Therefore, when using this method, it is essential to replace the elastics periodically as instructed by your orthodontist.

4.2 Self-ligating ceramic braces

Self-ligating ceramic braces (also known as self-locking ceramic braces) are compactly designed and use a sliding mechanism instead of elastic bands to secure and guide the archwire within the bracket grooves. Compared to the traditional method, self-ligating ceramic braces reduce friction and minimize discomfort for the wearer. They also eliminate the issue of broken or stretched elastic bands, making the treatment process faster and enhancing aesthetics.

Choosing the right type of ceramic braces

With both traditional and self-ligating ceramic braces available, many people wonder which option yields the best results. In reality, both methods are effective and offer positive outcomes. To choose the most suitable type, you should consider your current needs. If your budget allows and you wish to reduce the treatment time and the number of visits to the clinic for elastic adjustments, self-ligating ceramic braces are an optimal choice.

5. Elite Dental – A trusted address for ceramic braces

In general, to decide which type of ceramic braces is most suitable and ensure optimal results, a thorough examination is essential. Comprehensive check-ups and X-rays help the orthodontist assess the current dental condition and propose the most appropriate solution, ensuring effectiveness in both aesthetics and chewing functionality. It is crucial to choose a reputable orthodontic center, such as Elite Dental, for your treatment.

At Elite Dental, our team of orthodontists is well-trained, with over 10 years of experience in treating various cases with ceramic braces. We are committed to providing sustainable, high-quality, and safe orthodontic results. Prioritizing the customer experience, Elite Dental’s orthodontists focus on developing treatment plans based on the philosophy of preserving natural teeth and protecting oral health. Patients can rest assured that upon completing their treatment, they will not only achieve a radiant smile but also a well-aligned bite that ensures long-term stability and health.

One of our cases involved Ms. V.K., a real estate consultant. She struggled with crowded teeth and a slight midline shift, which affected her facial symmetry. After researching several reputable dental clinics, she chose Elite Dental, known for its professional team, experienced orthodontists, and modern equipment.

Given the nature of her job, which required frequent client interactions, V.K. opted for ceramic braces to maintain aesthetics during her treatment. After two years of commitment, she achieved a radiant smile with aligned teeth and harmonious facial symmetry. Her new smile not only boosted her confidence in communication and negotiations but also opened new opportunities in her career.

Another satisfied patient, Ms. Stephanie Thảo Nguyên, an event organization manager, also had a successful experience with ceramic braces at Elite Dental, achieving exceptional results.

With her initial condition of jaw protrusion, underbite, gapped teeth, open bite, and facial asymmetry, the orthodontist recommended:

• Step 1: Applying the Meaw arch technique – a multi-loop arch wire to reposition the lower jaw backward and resolve the underbite.
• Step 2: Extracting four wisdom teeth to create space for tooth movement.
• Step 3: Attaching ceramic braces combined with the Meaw arch, minivis screws, elastics, and bite blocks to retract the lower jaw, advance the upper jaw, and align the teeth into their correct positions.

After completing her orthodontic treatment, T.N. will undergo a minor gum surgery to address her gummy smile caused by short tooth crowns.

The cooperation and dedication between T.N. and her orthodontist over four years yielded the desired “sweet fruit.” Her gaps were closed, teeth aligned, and her upper and lower jaws were properly positioned, resulting in improved chewing comfort and better oral health.

6. Ceramic braces procedure

Before starting treatment with ceramic braces, patients should understand the procedure and choose a reputable clinic to ensure optimal results. Currently, Elite Dental is proud to be a leading specialized orthodontic center in Ho Chi Minh City. Why do we make this claim? It’s all thanks to our standardized ceramic braces procedure, offering a comfortable experience with just five steps:

Step 1: Examination and consultation with the orthodontist

Patients visit Elite Dental by appointment to undergo X-rays using the Sirona imaging system from Germany, which provides detailed 3D images, including cephalometric, frontal, and panoramic views. This is a critical factor in advanced orthodontics, ensuring the accuracy of the treatment plan. Afterward, patients will have a direct consultation with an orthodontist to discuss their current dental condition and the proposed treatment plan in detail.

Step 2: Dental impressions

Once the patient agrees to the treatment plan, the orthodontist will perform a professional dental cleaning and take dental impressions of the patient’s teeth to create records for the treatment.

Step 3: Attaching the braces

The orthodontist will carefully attach the ceramic braces according to the correct technique to ensure effective tooth movement without affecting soft tissues, minimizing pain and swelling as much as possible. After the procedure, patients will receive instructions on proper oral hygiene and be provided with an interproximal toothbrush to help them adjust to their “new life with braces.”

Step 4: Regular follow-up appointments and adjustments

Follow-up visits are essential in the ceramic braces procedure, as they allow the orthodontist to check the progress and make necessary adjustments to the archwire and anchors. This step maintains treatment effectiveness and prevents relapse. At Elite Dental, treatment outcomes are covered by a 1–2 year free warranty.

7. Notes when using ceramic braces

To ensure a satisfying orthodontic experience, patients should keep in mind the following considerations during and after treatment:

• In the first week after starting braces, maintain a healthy diet with soft, easy-to-chew foods like boiled dishes, porridge, soup, and milk to minimize discomfort and prevent damage or dislodging of the braces.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods that require significant force to bite or chew, such as popcorn, peanuts, and hard candies. For nutritious foods like apples or carrots, cut them into small pieces before eating.
• Brush your teeth up to twice a day. Use dental floss instead of toothpicks to avoid scratching or dislodging the brackets.
• Choose a toothbrush specifically designed for braces, and use mouthwash regularly to maintain comprehensive oral hygiene.
• Wear a retainer after completing ceramic braces treatment.
• Attend regular check-ups as scheduled by your orthodontist.
• Avoid harmful habits like biting or sucking on fingers, lips, or using your tongue to push teeth, as these can interfere with tooth movement.
• Consider whitening your teeth after completing orthodontic treatment.

All these recommendations will be thoroughly explained by the orthodontists at Elite Dental throughout the treatment process. Therefore, you can confidently start your ceramic braces journey with Elite Dental. Rest assured that you will achieve a safe orthodontic experience and a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts for years to come.

8. Frequently asked questions

Here are detailed answers to common questions about ceramic braces at Elite Dental:

8.1 Do ceramic braces hurt?

It is normal to feel mild discomfort or sensitivity during the process of aligning and moving teeth and bones to the correct physiological bite position. However, choosing a reputable clinic with a team of highly skilled and experienced orthodontists can significantly reduce discomfort. This ensures a smooth treatment process, adhering to the plan, and guarantees the quality of the final results.

8.2 How long does ceramic braces treatment take?

The duration of ceramic braces treatment depends on the severity of misalignment and the degree of deviation of one or more teeth. To determine the exact timeline, it is advisable to book an appointment for a consultation with an orthodontist.

At Elite Dental, our highly specialized team of orthodontists meticulously plans the treatment process. Accurate calculations help shorten the orthodontic timeline, allowing patients to regain their natural, radiant smiles as soon as possible.
Contact Elite Dental at 0902661100 today to get direct advice from our orthodontists!

8.3 Is there an age limit for ceramic braces?

According to Dr. Đỗ Quỳnh Như, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Orthodontic Association and an orthodontist at Elite Dental, there is no age limit for orthodontic treatment. However, timely intervention is crucial. For children, the golden period for braces is between 6–12 years old.

For adults, orthodontic treatment should be carried out as early as possible. Early treatment of misalignments helps boost confidence, allows you to enjoy life, and enhances career prospects. Moreover, orthodontics helps maintain oral health and prevents dental issues, contributing to overall long-term health and stability.

8.4 Can you get ceramic braces if you have missing teeth?

Many people wonder if it’s possible to undergo orthodontic treatment with missing teeth. The answer is YES, but it depends on the diagnosis and instructions from the orthodontist.

Orthodontic treatment can complement implant placement. For cases with one or a few missing teeth, orthodontics can rearrange the dental structure and create space for future implant placement.

Therefore, apart from assessing the current dental condition, it is essential to visit a reputable clinic with a well-trained team of orthodontists. This ensures accurate and comprehensive solutions, leading to fast and long-lasting results.

With outstanding benefits in both aesthetics and chewing function, ceramic braces are increasingly chosen by people seeking to regain a radiant smile. If you’re wondering which is the best orthodontic center today, Elite Dental is the worthy answer. Partnering with Elite Dental ensures a safe orthodontic journey, resulting in a smile that is not only beautiful and aligned but also genuinely healthy, sustainable, and long-lasting.