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PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Lots of patients ask about clear brackets when getting braces, but some brands are giving other clear brackets an undeserved bad reputation for staining easily.

It’s true that some brands of less expensive clear brackets become discolored with wear, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, who owns an Eagan and Minneapolis, MN orthodontics practice. Foods such as tomato sauces, soft drinks, coffee, tea and grape juices can discolor some clear brackets over time.

However, there are some quality brackets on the market that do not stain. The Minneapolis, MN orthodontist uses Inspire ICE brackets, manufactured by Ormco Orthodontics. The brackets, made from crystal-clear sapphire, are more stain resistant than brackets made from porcelain or plastic compounds, which can be more porous.

Foods and fruit juices also can stain elastic ties around the brackets, but Eisenhuth said that isn’t much of a problem because those are changed at each orthodontic visit, which typically is every six weeks.

ICE brackets also are the only entirely transparent bracket on the market and they practically disappear once placed on the teeth, according to the Ormco Orthodontics Web site.

“The enamel on our teeth has a pigment and everyone’s tooth color is slightly different, which makes it difficult to find a tooth-colored bracket to match everyone,” said Eisenhuth, the Minneapolis, MN braces expert. “Using this clear colored, high-quality bracket means that it pulls in the color from the teeth, no matter what shade the teeth are.”

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of ICE brackets, Ormco touts the strength of their product, stating that the brackets are two times as resistant to breakage as other ceramic appliances. They also require less force when they are removed from the teeth and they have a smooth profile that provides optimum comfort for wearers.

“Overall, I like the brackets because it’s smaller, it looks nice and it responds well to movement,” Eisenhuth said. “We’ve had really good results for the two years or so that we’ve used them.”

Good Hygiene Can Prevent Stains And Improve Treatment
Even patients with clear brackets that aren’t ICE brackets can take measures to ensure they stay looking aesthetically pleasing, Eisenhuth said.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of having an electric toothbrush, such as a SoniCare brush,” she said.

Brushing within 20 minutes after eating foods or drinking beverages that can stain the teeth and the brackets is a good practice for keeping teeth white and tooth decay at bay. On average, braces wearers should brush their teeth two to four times daily with a non-whitening toothpaste. Using a whitening toothpaste only whitens the portions of the teeth that aren’t covered by brackets, so once those brackets are removed, patients can be left with spots on their teeth where the brackets were.

Patients with clear brackets often also have clear ligatures, so it is important to have the ligatures changed regularly, as they can stain more quickly than the brackets.

The cleaner the brackets, the less friction created as far as orthodontic movement goes, Eisenhuth said. That means the braces can move the teeth faster. Patients who do not brush and floss properly run the risk of getting inflamed gums, which can make it more difficult for the orthodontist to properly align the teeth.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about ICE brackets, Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth’s practice or you would like to schedule a consultation with her, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth, Minneapolis Invisalign provider attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth, Minneapolis Invisible Braces Expert, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Eagan and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

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