Which materials are used?
Vary the materials of the fixed braces. The external brackets are made of gold, plastic, ceramic and titanium, the brackets for lingual technique, which are on the inside of the teeth, are made of ceramic, steel alloys or gold. The wires fixed in the brackets are made of nickel-titanium alloys and are very biocompatible
Rubbers for fixed braces
Brace rubbers are fastening elements in Edgewise brackets, which serve to anchor the wire in the lock of the bracket. They serve as a so-called ligature and are especially popular with children because of their color variability. However, since the rubber wears out due to the permanent force and tension exerted by the wire, it must be replaced with new ones at regular intervals.
The time frame for this is about two to three months. As an alternative to the rubbers, there are wire ligatures, which are much more durable and resistant than the brace rubbers due to the material. However, since they are metal-colored, they are not very popular for aesthetic reasons.
Which brackets are available?
The holding elements of fixed braces, the so-called brackets, differ in shape and form and are used for the respective treatment goal. The standard bracket or twin bracket has two wings. However, there are also brackets that have only one wing.
These are called single – brackets. The wire that is anchored in the bracket is fixed by an encryption mechanism and cannot move. Therefore the brackets are distinguished by their locks.
The three different lock mechanisms name the brackets Edgewise – Brackets, Light – Wire – Brackets and self-ligating brackets. Edgewise – Brackets and Light – Wire – Brackets are closed with a ligature of thinner wire or a pin. Self-ligating brackets, on the other hand, do not require any aids for fixation, which is why they are the most expensive option.
Furthermore, the different closing mechanisms still differ in size, as wires of different strengths are gradually used – for greater or lesser traction on the teeth. Another distinguishing feature is the material of the brackets. Brackets are made of gold, plastic, ceramic and titanium.
They also vary in the way the brackets are attached. The majority of brackets are attached to the outside of the tooth surfaces and are universal brackets that fit any tooth surface. In modern lingual technique, the brackets are fixed to the back surface of the teeth and are custom-made to fit only the affected patient. You can find more information here: Brackets of a dental brace
