What Makes Gold Braces Unique?

About 6 million Americans are undergoing orthodontic treatment right now — about 4 million children and about 2 million adults. Not too long ago, having braces meant having a series of stainless steel brackets and wires attached to your teeth. 

In recent years, though, that’s changed — a lot. Today, there are more options than ever when it comes to straightening teeth — including discreet options, like Invisalign aligners, clear ceramic braces, or lingual braces attached to the backs of teeth.

But not everyone who wears braces wants to hide their treatment. In fact, orthodontic treatment is so popular today that plenty of people want to flaunt their braces and claim them as part of their own, unique style. That’s where gold braces come in.

At Duval Orthodontics, J.A. Duval, DDS, offers gold braces for patients of all ages — kids, teens, and adults. Here’s how to decide if they’re right for you.

How gold braces differ

Braces use a series of brackets applied to the tooth surface to straighten teeth. These brackets are adhered with a special dental cement, then the brackets are connected by a thin wire. The wire is adjusted during treatment, applying a gentle force that moves your teeth into their proper locations.

Gold braces work the same way. In fact, the main difference between gold braces and traditional braces is the color: While traditional braces are silver-colored, gold braces are just what you’d expect — gold. The brackets are gold, and the wire is gold, too. 

Of course, the brackets and wires aren’t solid gold. As a single metal, gold is really too soft to effectively do the difficult job of moving teeth. Instead, the brackets and wires are made of stainless steel plated with several layers of gold. It’s the gold that you see, while the underlying stainless steel does the work.

Caring for gold braces

Even though they look dazzling, gold braces don’t need any additional treatments or polishing to look their absolute best. Regular brushing and flossing is important for getting rid of food particles and plaque, and for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, too. 

With any braces, you might just need a little practice in the beginning to learn the best way to floss and brush around the brackets and wires. Dr. Duval offers plenty of tips, along with recommendations of special flossers and other devices to make your care routine simple.

No matter what type of braces you get, you’ll also need regular office visits to make sure your treatment stays on track. During your visits, Dr. Duval will adjust the wires in specific ways to keep each tooth moving in the right direction. You’ll also need to avoid very hard or sticky foods, both of which can damage your brackets or wires, no matter what color they are. 

Gold braces: jewelry for your teeth

While gold braces work the same as traditional braces, that gold plating does increase the cost of the appliances slightly. When you consider that you’ll be wearing your braces for 2-3 years, the extra cost is a small investment for the big boost in confidence you’ll gain when you flash that golden smile.

To find out more about gold braces at our offices in Warner Robins and Albany, Georgia, book an appointment online or over the phone at Duval Orthodontics today.