Types of Braces

There are 2 types of braces: Removable Braces and Fixed Braces.

1. Fixed Braces

These braces are glued onto the teeth and cannot be removed by the wearer hence the term fixed braces.
There are 2 types of fixed braces – metal and clear braces.

• Metal Braces – Labial/Facial and Lingual:
  • Labial/Facial Braces: These are braces, which are placed on the front side of the teeth ie. When the wearer smiles the braces can be seen. These braces are most commonly used.
  • Lingual Braces: These are braces that are placed on the lingual surface/tongue side of the teeth ie. When the wearer smiles the braces cannot be seen. This type of braces are also known as "invisible braces".
• Clear Braces (Ceramic Braces) These braces are made from plastic, ceramic, sapphire or some other clear material. These braces are also placed on the front/facial surfaces of the teeth. As these braces are made of a clearer or semi transparent material, the braces are not so obvious when the wearer smiles or talks.
• Colored Braces (what sort of braces are these?) The color of the braces comes from the colored rings that are placed over the metal braces to keep the braces linking wire in place.
  
  The braces itself are not colored but still metal although there are clear braces wearers who request for colors to be placed over their clear braces.
  

2. Removable Braces:

These are braces that can be removed from the mouth by the wearer. These braces can be active or passive removable braces.

Active removable brace: eg. Active plates for minor tooth movement, functional/growth-aiding appliances.

Passive removable braces: eg. Mouth guards, splints, hard retainers, soft (clear) retainers.