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Ceramic Braces Vs Metal Braces

So, you’ve decided that you want to have your teeth straightened, what system do you go for? With so many options out there at the moment from traditional metal braces, through to invisible braces and finally ceramic braces it can often be difficult to know.

So this page is dedicated to helping you understand the difference between metal braces and ceramic braces so that you can be in a better position to make the best decision when it comes to having your orthodontic treatment.

What are the deciding factors about which brace is best?

The decision about which type of brace you have depends on many factors including.

  • The arrangement between your top teeth and bottom teeth, in other words your bite.
  • The requirement for you to have jaw surgery as part of your orthodontic therapy. (This is fairly rare).
  • The amount of time that you need to wear your braces.
  • The specific type of treatment, sometimes you may need to wear a headgear to necessitate the correct movement of your teeth.
  • The preference of your individual orthodontist or dentist.
  • Your aesthetic preferences, ceramic braces are generally much more invisible than metal braces.
  • The cost of treatment.

Metal Braces

Generally speaking metal braces are made of a silvery coloured material, although modern braces can also sometimes be made in gold. Metal braces are exceptionally strong and I generally suitable for most types of treatment due to their inherent strength. Modern metal braces are bonded to the surface of your tooth, and so have a minimal impact on the tooth itself. The arch wire is then connected to these brackets using a little rubber band called a ligature. In some cases these ligatures can be in a variety of colours to make your metal braces even more jazzy!

There are a variety of different types of metal braces within this category. Each with a slightly different design by a different specialist orthodontist, and whilst this is rather interesting for dentists it is not really interesting for patients to know the details of whether braces are self ligating or not!

Ceramic Braces

Tom Cruise and ceramic braces

The biggest advantage of ceramic braces is the fact that they are generally more tooth coloured. They are made of an especially strong composite material which generally speaking is resistant to staining. As with metal braces there are a variety of manufacturers of ceramic braces. You may also be interested to know that Tom Cruise was one of the celebrities that had ceramic braces fitted to misaligned teeth.

Which ceramic braces the ligatures which connect the brackets to the art wire are also generally tooth coloured, this means the whole of the system blends in to the tooth making the braces almost invisible.

Where does six month smiles fit into this?

Six month smiles offers ceramic bracket braces and is a revolutionary new system. It uses a specially designed bracket which allows for rapid tooth movement much faster than conventional ceramic or metal braces. Generally speaking six month smiles is also cheaper than conventional orthodontics, making it more appealing and obtainable by more people.

Having said this, it is not always possible to use six month smiles with every patient and this is why at Evolve Dentistry on the outskirts of Bristol we have our own orthodontist who is able to offer the full range of metal and ceramic braces to deal with the widest range of orthodontic possibilities.

Here’s a video of what one of our patients said after having ceramic braces fitted by up our dental practice

Six month smiles have a great YouTube channel where you can see many videos about the treatment.

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🦷 Ever wondered how we get a full picture of your smile?

In this reel, our brilliant dental nurse Lou walks you through how our OPG (panoramic) X-ray machine works – and why it’s such a valuable tool for spotting issues that aren’t always visible during a routine check-up.

From wisdom teeth to jaw health, the OPG helps us see the bigger picture so we can give you the best possible care.

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🎥 What is a dental crown – and how does it work? 🦷

In this short video, our lovely dentist Yasmin explains everything you need to know about dental crowns – from when they’re needed to how they protect and restore your tooth.

Whether you’ve been told you might need a crown or you’re just curious, this is a great place to start!

👑 Watch now to learn how crowns can help keep your smile strong and healthy.

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🎥 Meet Chris!

Chris recently had bonding on his front teeth as the first step toward getting his new dentures here at Evolve Dentistry. He kindly shared his experience with us, and we’re so pleased to be part of his journey to a confident, comfortable smile. 😄🦷

Watch the video to hear more about how the treatment has helped—and what’s next!

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🏆 We’re Finalists – Times Three! 🎉

We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Evolve Dentistry has been shortlisted as a finalist in three categories at the Dentistry Awards 2025:

✨ Best Patient Care
✨ Team of the Year
✨ Practice of the Year

Being recognised for the care we provide and the incredible team behind it means the world to us. Thank you to our amazing patients and community for your continued support – we couldn’t do it without you!

The winners will be announced on June 6th, we've got everything crossed.
📣 It’s National Smile Month! 😁

At Evolve Dentistry in Portishead, we believe that a healthy smile is a confident smile – and there’s no better time to celebrate than during National Smile Month! 🦷💙

Whether it’s a regular healthy mouth review, teeth whitening, or straighter smiles – we’re here to help you smile with confidence every day.

🪥 This month is all about raising awareness of good oral health and the simple steps that can make a big difference:
✨ Brush twice a day for 2 minutes
✨ Clean between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes
✨ Visit your dentist regularly
✨ Cut down on how much and how often you have sugary foods and drinks

#NationalSmileMonth #HealthySmiles #EvolveDentistry #PortisheadDentist #SmileWithConfidence #TeamEvolve
👶✨ Exciting News! ✨👶

Our lovely dentist Yasmin will be heading off on maternity leave in July, as she prepares to welcome a new addition to her family – and we couldn’t be more thrilled for her! 💕🍼

While she takes this special time away, we want to reassure all of Yasmin’s patients that they’ll be in safe hands. During her leave, your dental care will be looked after by Richard, as well as the rest of our experienced and friendly team, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.

We know how important continuity of care is, and we’re here to make sure you feel confident and supported at every appointment.

Join us in wishing Yasmin all the best on this exciting journey – we can’t wait to meet the newest member of the Evolve family! 💖

#EvolveDentistry #MaternityLeave #PortisheadDentist #TeamEvolve #DentalCare #YasminEvolve #PatientCare
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