Colored Braces

Many patients find themselves stuck with an orthodontic appliance that they have to wear, but think unsightly or even downright hateful. For many patients getting ceramic braces or clear aligners is simply not an option and they find themselves with an appliance that makes them afraid to smile, and quite a bit of resentment can build up because of this. Luckily, steel brackets can be covered with little plastic bits that can make your smile more (or less) colorful.

The Color Wheel

In every orthodontists office, you will find a color wheel. This is just what it sounds like, a wheel with colors fading into each other on the rim. Any of the colors that you can point to on this wheel is a color that can be manufactured and put onto your braces, rendering your brackets the color you have chosen. This way your smile will not be a face full of metal, but a softer, more attractive, less toothsome and more colorful and attractive sight. You can ask to see the color wheel and pick a color off of it at your next activation session, which you should attend every 6 to 8 weeks. By the next session, your new bracket coverings should be ready, and can be popped on to the top of your brackets.

Decisions, decisions

As there are many colors that you can choose from, there are some things to take into consideration. First of all, any color you pick will appear somewhat lighter, as the mouth is full of light pink and white or off-white colors. Second of all, once the color is on a rubbery texture, it may appear brighter than it will as a shade on a two dimensional piece of paper.

It is advised to steer clear of white or very light colors,a s your teeth will seem yellow or gray in comparison. Not to mention the fact that the color white stains very easily, and will be a not-so-pleasing off white in a matter of weeks, stained by such foods and drinks like cola, coffee, tea, red wine, berries, red fruits like cherries and sour cherries, beetroot, curry, and a host of other things.

Darker colors are thus recommended, as they do not stain and make your teeth look whiter. But dark somber colors may not be very cheerful, and a smile is supposed to give an impression of good will and friendliness, not to mention that dark colors may not go well with your wardrobe! Choose colors that do go well with your wardrobe, things that either tastefully off set the color of your clothing, or blend well with the primary colors you usually wear.

Fun Ideas

Bring a bit of national pride into your smile by wearing the color of your flag on your braces! Have festive bracket colorings appropriate for the season (i.e.: red and green for christmas, black and orange for halloween, green for St. Patrick’s day, etc); you can change the coverings on your braces each time you go for an activation session. Have fun with your braces - if you must wear them, why not make the most out of the experience?