Are you considering braces to straighten your teeth? Wondering if you should go with traditional metal braces or modern clear aligners? If so, you may have seen advertisements for the latest option – blue colored braces! Keep reading to learn all about blue braces, if they could be the right choice for your teeth straightening needs.
Introduction
Braces come in a rainbow of colors these days, allowing you to add some personality to your smile while straightening your teeth. Blue colored braces are gaining popularity as a fun and playful option. But beyond the color itself, what sets blue braces apart? Are they simply traditional metal braces coated in blue, or something more advanced?
As we’ll discuss, blue braces provide a smart combination of the customization of clear aligners with the affordability and precision control of metal braces. This makes them an intriguing choice for many dental patients today.
What Are Blue Braces?
Blue braces consist of traditional metal brackets and wires coated in a blue color. This allows them to blend in more with your teeth compared to silver metal braces. The brackets are custom-fit to your teeth for comfort and precision control.
Beyond the color, blue braces function much like standard metal braces. The orthodontist bonds the brackets onto your teeth and connects them with a wire threaded through each bracket’s slot. By adjusting the wires and tension over time, the braces gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment.
One key benefit of such braces over metal is aesthetics. Bright silver metal smiles went out of style decades ago. With colored braces that better blend with your teeth, you can straighten your smile discreetly and with style.
Blue Braces vs. Clear Aligners vs. Metal Braces
How do these braces compare to clear aligners or traditional metal braces? Let’s breakdown the pros and cons of each option:
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners like Invisalign are removable plastic trays that incrementally move your teeth over time. They offer excellent aesthetics and comfort since they are nearly invisible and removable. However, they come with a higher cost and less precise control compared to fixed braces.
Metal Braces
Conventional metal braces are the most affordable and precise option for shifting your teeth, which is why they remain an orthodontic staple. However, their silver metallic color is unattractive to many patients. Teens in particular often feel self-conscious about their appearance with prominent silver braces.
Blue Braces
Blue colored braces give you the affordability and superior control of metal braces combined with aesthetics rivaling clear aligners. Since they blend in with your teeth better than metal and don’t need to be removed for eating or brushing like Invisalign trays, they provide an excellent middle ground option.
Who Are Blue Braces Best Suited For?
Blue braces are an especially great choice for certain demographics and dental needs:
- Teens and young adults who want discreet braces
- Patients with mild to moderate alignment issues
- Individuals who play wind instruments and want low-profile braces
- Active athletes who prioritize fixed, low-maintenance braces
- Patients on a budget who still want attractive braces
The custom blue color helps braces be more discreet and blend in better with teeth compared to metallic silver. This makes blue braces ideal for appearance-conscious teens.
They work well for less extensive teeth alignment needs. People with severe overbites or crooked teeth may require full-blown metal braces or a combination of clear aligners with fixed retainers instead.
Musicians who play wind instruments often benefit from braces with thin, low-profile brackets which blue touch offer. And active athletes like the fixed, non-removable nature of blue braces over alternatives like Invisalign that must be taken out regularly.
Finally, colored braces are an affordable fixed brace option for budget-conscious patients who still want their braces to look good.
What’s the Process of Getting Blue Braces?
Getting these braces is much like the process for traditional metal braces:
Consultation – Meet with an orthodontist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment plan recommendation. This determines if you are a candidate for such braces.
Moldings – Get impressions and molds taken of your teeth so custom blue brackets can be crafted to fit your smile precisely.
Bonding – Return to have the custom blue brackets bonded securely onto each tooth with dental adhesive.
Initial Wiring – The orthodontist threads the initial archwire through all brackets and adjusts tension as needed to begin shifting your teeth.
Adjustments – You’ll need to return every 4-8 weeks for wire changes and adjustments to keep your treatment on track.
Debonding – Once your teeth reach desired alignment after 1-3 years, the brackets are removed, leaving you with a beautifully straight blue brace smile!
As with other braces, you may also need auxiliary appliances like rubber bands at some point to facilitate specific movements.
Caring for Blue Braces
Caring for these braces is similar to traditional metal braces:
- Brush after meals and floss daily to avoid plaque buildup and staining
- Avoid extremely hot, cold, crunchy, sticky, or hard foods
- Use orthodontic wax to smooth out any sharp or poking bracket edges
- See your orthodontist promptly if a wire is poking your cheek or you experience pain
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed for soreness after adjustments
The blue color should not stain or discolor from foods if you practice good oral hygiene. But avoid curries, berries, and other pigmented foods which could temporarily tinge brackets.
Conclusion
Blue colored braces offer the precision control of metal braces with modern aesthetics for teens and adults who want discreet straightening. Combining custom brackets with thin wires coated in blue, they move teeth effectively while blending in with your smile.
For patients on a budget who want fixed braces that are comfortable, effective at aligning teeth, and don’t make a bold silver metallic statement, these braces check all the boxes. Consult with your orthodontist to see if such braces could be the right fit for your smile!
