Ortho consultations are free
Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your child’s teeth, which makes them less noticeable than metal braces. They work much like traditional braces, using brackets and a wire to guide teeth into better alignment over time, and they may be a good fit for kids and teens who feel shy about a mouth full of metal.
At House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Cypress, TX, our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Jeana Harmon-Taylor, offers ceramic braces as one of several braces options within our orthodontic care for kids, teens, and adults. Consultations are free, so you can ask questions and see whether ceramic braces fit your child before you decide anything.
Ceramic braces have three main parts. Brackets attach to each tooth, a wire runs through the brackets, and small ties or clips hold the wire in place. The brackets are clear or tooth-colored instead of silver, so they blend in with your child’s smile. Some treatment plans may also use tooth-colored wires or clear ties for an even more blended look.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, ceramic braces are fixed appliances, which means they stay on the teeth until treatment is complete. That is different from clear aligners, which are removable trays. Because ceramic braces stay in place, your child does not have to remember to put anything in or take it out. Ceramic brackets can be more brittle than metal, so they may need a little extra care.
Families often ask about ceramic braces because they combine a less noticeable look with the same basic way of moving teeth as metal braces. These are the main benefits we talk through with parents.
Clear or tooth-colored brackets blend in with your child's teeth, so braces are less noticeable in photos and up close.
Ceramic braces use brackets and a wire to guide teeth into better alignment, much like metal braces.
We show your child how to clean around the brackets and which foods and drinks to limit while braces are on.
Ceramic braces often appeal to teens and older kids who feel self-conscious about metal braces, especially around school events and photos. Dr. Harmon-Taylor also treats adults, so parents who are curious about their own smiles can ask about adult orthodontics too.
Ceramic braces are not the best choice for every child. Metal braces may work better when an appliance needs to be extra durable or a bite needs more complex correction, and our metal braces page explains that option in more detail. Dr. Harmon-Taylor looks at your child’s teeth, bite, treatment goals, and daily habits before recommending a type of braces.
The best way to find out is a free consultation. Dr. Harmon-Taylor talks through your child’s options in plain language so nothing feels like a surprise, and you can learn more about what happens during a free orthodontic consultation before you book.
Ceramic braces come in a few setups, and the right one depends on your child’s teeth, bite, and goals. Select each option to see how it works.
Ceramic brackets are paired with a standard metal wire. The brackets blend in with your child’s teeth, and the wire does the work of guiding teeth into place.
These brackets are made from clear ceramic, so they blend in and are less noticeable when your child smiles.
Some plans use tooth-colored wires or clear ties for an even more blended look. Dr. Harmon-Taylor can tell you whether this option fits your child’s treatment plan.
Your child’s first step is a free orthodontic consultation. Dr. Harmon-Taylor examines your child’s teeth, jaw, and bite, and X-rays or digital images may be taken depending on your child’s needs. Then she talks through which type of braces fits best, along with an estimated timeline, so you can decide with clear information.
If your family decides to move forward, the next visit is when the brackets go on. Dr. Harmon-Taylor explains each step in kid-friendly terms so nothing comes as a surprise. Your child may feel some soreness after braces are placed or adjusted, and we go over ways to manage it.
After that, your child returns for regular adjustment visits so Dr. Harmon-Taylor can check progress and make changes. Treatment often averages about two years, and daily brushing and flossing matter a great deal during that time. We go over how to clean around the brackets and which foods and drinks to limit.
Dr. Jeana Harmon-Taylor
Board-Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Harmon-Taylor treats children, teens, and adults. She likes to explain each step of treatment before it happens, using simple words and, for steps that are new to a child, simulation videos, so families know what is coming.
House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics puts pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the same building in Cypress, TX. Dr. Harmon-Taylor is a board-certified orthodontist who treats children, teens, and adults, and our board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Brandon Goodloe, cares for your child’s everyday dental needs. Orthodontic consultations are free, and we take time to explain every option so you know what to expect.
If your child has been asking about braces that are less noticeable, we would love to talk it through with your family. We can also go over payment options during your visit, and to get started, contact our office to schedule your child’s free consultation.
Treatment time depends on your child’s teeth, bite, and goals, and Dr. Harmon-Taylor shares an estimated timeline after the exam. Braces treatment often averages about two years.
Ceramic braces can pick up stains from dark drinks and foods, so brushing well and limiting stain-causing items helps them look natural. We go over which items to watch for when the braces go on.
Ceramic braces may cost more than metal braces in some cases because of the materials used. Cost also depends on your child’s plan, and we can walk through it with you at a free consultation.
Ceramic braces can help with many alignment and bite concerns, but they are not the right choice for every child. Dr. Harmon-Taylor checks your child’s teeth and bite first, and metal braces may be recommended for some cases.
Ceramic braces need careful brushing and flossing around the brackets, and the brackets can be more brittle than metal, so hard or sticky foods may need to be avoided. We go over the details when the braces go on.
27220 Highway 290 Suite B
Cypress, TX 77433
Phone: 281-727-0511
Fax: 281-727-0512
Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your child’s teeth, which makes them less noticeable than metal braces. They work much like traditional braces, using brackets and a wire to guide teeth into better alignment over time, and they may be a good fit for kids and teens who feel shy about a mouth full of metal.
