Types of Braces
Braces are still one of the most reliable ways to straighten teeth, correct a bite, and set up a healthy smile for the long run. At Hometown Orthodontics, we offer three types of braces — traditional metal, ceramic, and clear braces — so every patient, no matter their age or how visible they want treatment to be, has an option that fits their life. All three work the same way at their core: brackets and wires that gradually guide teeth into place. What differs is how they look and feel day to day. Below is a plain-English breakdown of each, and at your free consultation, we’ll tell you honestly which one gives you the best result for your specific bite.
Traditional Metal
Metal braces remain the most-used option in our practice, and for good reason. Durable stainless steel brackets stand up to sports, snacks, and everyday life, and they handle nearly every case — from mild crowding to significant bite correction — predictably and effectively. Kids and teens can pick colored elastic ties at every visit, turning appointments into something to look forward to. They’re also typically the most affordable option we offer.
Ceramic
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your natural enamel, giving you the same reliable bracket-and-wire treatment with a much less noticeable look. They’re a popular choice for patients who want the predictability of traditional braces without the “mouth full of metal” appearance. Ceramic brackets do require a little extra care around staining foods like coffee, curry, and red sauces — we’ll walk you through exactly what to watch for.
Clear Braces
Clear braces take discretion a step further, pairing clear brackets with clear wire clips and ties so there’s no metal glinting when you smile or talk. They deliver the same dependable, round-the-clock treatment as traditional braces, just with the most low-profile look among our fixed options. Many teens and working adults choose clear braces specifically because they want effective, predictable treatment without it being the first thing people notice.
Braces For Kids
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 — not because every child needs braces that young, but because early evaluation lets us catch and guide jaw growth and emerging bite issues while there’s still time to make a real difference. At that age, kids still have a mix of baby and adult teeth, and patterns in how the jaw is developing are becoming clear. Sometimes that first visit means we start treatment early. More often, it means we simply watch and wait for the right moment, so nothing catches you off guard later.
For kids who do need braces, treatment works quietly in the background while they keep being kids — playing sports, going to school, and growing up. We know first-visit nerves are real for little ones, so we explain each step before we do it, keep the environment relaxed, and let them ask as many questions as they want. Picking colored elastic ties at each visit turns a checkup into something they actually look forward to. We also offer same-day starts, so families aren’t stuck waiting weeks between that first evaluation and getting going, and we try to group siblings together whenever we can so you’re not making separate trips for every child.
Braces For Teens
The teen years come with a lot going on, and braces shouldn’t add stress to the mix. Traditional and ceramic braces both hold up well to sports, band, and everything else a busy teenager is juggling, and they work around the clock without depending on remembering to wear anything — which matters for a stage of life where consistency isn’t always a teen’s strong suit. Teens can also express a little personality along the way, choosing team colors, holiday combinations, or whatever color just feels like them at that visit.
We schedule with real school and activity calendars in mind, and we try hard to keep appointments from eating into class time or practice. We’re upfront with teens themselves about what’s happening to their smile and why it matters, not just with the parent in the room, because we’ve found that teens who understand their own treatment tend to take better care of it. If a teen is weighing braces against Invisalign — say, for band, wrestling, or senior pictures — we’ll look at their case honestly and help them and their parents land on the option that actually fits their life, not just what’s trendy.
Braces For Adults
It’s never too late to get the smile you’ve thought about for years. More adults than ever are choosing braces, whether they never had treatment as a kid, their teeth have shifted with age, or they simply want to fix something that’s bothered them for a while. Ceramic and clear braces are especially popular with adults who want effective, predictable results without drawing attention to their treatment in the workplace, in meetings, or on camera. Because adult bites and jaws are done growing, treatment is sometimes more involved than it would have been in childhood — but that just means a thoughtful plan matters even more, not that a straighter smile is out of reach.
We keep the process straightforward from the first visit: a clear fee quote, flexible payment plans, and a team that treats you like an adult making a decision for yourself, not a kid being brought in by a parent. Many of our adult patients tell us their biggest hesitation was feeling like they’d “waited too long” — and every one of them has been glad they finally went ahead. Whether you’re doing this for your health, your confidence, or simply because you can now that the kids are grown, you’ll get the same honest, unhurried consultation as anyone walking through our doors.
