Types of Braces in Peoria and Glendale, AZ

Dr. Thomas Shipley has been providing orthodontic care and braces to patients in the Peoria, AZ and Glendale, AZ area since 2005! With so many braces options to choose from, contact Shipley Orthodontics to schedule a consultation to go over a treatment plan that works best for you.

Metal Braces

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.

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Gold Braces

Gold braces are similar to traditional metal braces in many ways. They are made of stainless steel but are uniquely coated in gold. The gold coating may be considered a more cosmetic option than traditional metal braces, and the cost of gold braces is surprisingly comparable to most clear braces.

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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 older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

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Invisible (Clear) Orthodontic Appliances

Invisalign®

Invisalign® uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teeth. And, no one can tell you are wearing Invisalign because it's invisible! Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. Please visit our Invisalign page to learn more.

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Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore "invisible" when you smile. Lingual braces are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth and therefore the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors/actresses, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.