Pros and Cons of Traditional Metal Braces: Make the Right Choice for You

Everyone wants to feel good and make a lasting first impression, and braces are often a way to do that. However, a considerable investment both in terms of time and money is involved. As with any major decision, you’ll want to know the pros and cons of braces so you can figure out whether they are worth it.

Having years of experience with braces of all kinds, we’ve seen the pros and cons of braces upfront, with real-life patients. Here are a few things we have learned and now want you to know:

Pros: Reasons to Get Traditional Metal Braces

They work. With proper care and maintenance, they will straighten your teeth over time.

They are durable. Traditional braces don’t easily chip or crack. Although there are cases where the wire snaps or brackets fall off, these are relatively easy fixes.

They are slightly less hard on your pocket. Traditional metal braces typically are less expensive, since they have been out in the market longer.

Cons: Why You Might Avoid Metal Braces

There are many drawbacks, and many people feel that they outweigh the benefits:

They can hurt.  Putting on the braces or getting them tightened can be very painful since they are moving your teeth by applying pressure.

Brushing and flossing can be difficult. Maintaining metal braces is not easy at all. Flossing can be very difficult since you must thread the floss around the wire to get between your teeth.

They limit what you can eat. Since traditional metal braces are attached to your teeth, they are present all the time, meaning that you may need to cut down your favorite foods.

Alternatives to Metal Braces

While you are exploring metal braces, you should be aware that there are alternatives worth considering. Specifically, there are different types of braces, such as Invisalign, Ceramic braces, Lingual braces, each with their pros and cons.

You can read about braces on the internet forever. It’s time now to take that first step. We hope you’ll make it with us!