Thanks to today’s advances in orthodontic technology, Porter Orthodontics can provide our patients with more options when it comes to wearing braces than ever before. While traditional metal braces are still widely used, clear braces are very popular with teens and adults who are self conscious about wearing braces, along with Invisalign removable aligners, the “braceless” alternative to straight teeth. Dr. Porter will help you determine which treatment option is right for you.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces used today. They are smaller and more comfortable than ever before and constructed of high-grade space age metal alloys. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on teenage and adult patients who have aesthetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene since ceramic braces are larger. The only drawback to ceramic brackets is that they are more fragile and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits with certain foods and smoking.
Invisible Braces
Clear appliances, such as Invisalign, use a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth. No one can tell you are wearing those aligners because they are invisible! Invisalign aligners are removable so you are not limited in what you can eat and drink during treatment. Plus… brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. 
Empower 2 Self Ligating Braces
Self-ligation is one of the orthodontic industry’s leading trends and an option that can provide benefits to you and your orthodontist.
Empower braces is a complete self-ligating bracket system that maximizes your comfort while wearing braces. Built to the highest standard, Empower is manufactured with leading edge Metal Injection Molding technology and durable, high-performance clips. Each bracket is designed with the patient’s comfort and orthodontist’s treatment goals in mind.
Quicker, easier wire adjustments. State of the art self-ligating clips hold the arch wire in place instead of rubber bands (ligatures), allowing for quicker and potentially more comfortable wire adjustments.
Quicker, easier wire adjustments. State of the art self-ligating clips hold the arch wire in place instead of rubber bands (ligatures), allowing for quicker and potentially more comfortable wire adjustments.- Strong and hygienic. Empower uses strong, heat treated chromium cobalt clips instead of traditional ligatures that are prone to discoloration, lose their effectiveness over time, and require frequent replacements. Eliminating ligatures also eliminates one of the leading food traps.
Comfortable inside your mouth. Empower’s contoured edges and sculpted, low profile design means a smoother surface against your cheeks and lips.
Comfortable inside your mouth. Empower’s contoured edges and sculpted, low profile design means a smoother surface against your cheeks and lips.- Effective, efficient treatment. The versatility of Empower’s design gives your orthodontist more control over treatment than ever before.