Different Braces Colors

Although individual types of dental braces used to align teeth are not normally selected solely on the basis of color, each type of brace actually comes in distinctive colors that may or may not be available in other styles. Depending on the materials used to make the components of a particular type of brace, you may end up with a clear, off-white, metallic or rainbow-colored addition to your smile.

Metallic

Silver or gold colored metal is the material used to make the brackets for conventional braces. The metal used is an alloy of stainless steel and nickel, with small amounts of other metals. Real gold and gold plating can be used if you are allergic to stainless steel or choose to view braces as mouth jewelry and make a social statement with your teeth. Brackets can also be made from silver-colored titanium, for people who are allergic to nickel. Both of these metals are more expensive than conventional brackets. Tiny elastic bands called ligatures are wrapped around similarly colored metal extensions that protrude from the brackets. These elastic bands are used to hold a silver- or gold-colored arch wire onto the brackets. The rubber bands themselves may be clear, silver or gold, to maintain a metallic color scheme.

Multi-colored

The ligatures used on conventional metal braces come in a very wide variety of colors, including many different shades of red, blue, green, yellow, pink and purple, and even black and white. Metallic and fluorescent shades of all these colors are also available. These multicolored tie bands are very popular with children who sport conventional metal braces because they are able to choose and change colors at each monthly visit throughout the course of their one- to two-year orthodontic adventure. Some children choose to have a different color band on every tooth, for a rainbow effect.

Tooth-colored

Brackets made from ceramic composite are colored off-white to blend in with the color of your teeth. In this case, the arch wire may be metal or clear so as to be unseen. Ligatures may be white or clear if the goal is for braces to be as unnoticeable as possible.

Clear

If you have pure white teeth and don't want braces to detract from their appearance, you may choose translucent brackets and either a clear or metal arch wire. The brackets are made from monocrystalline sapphire, a clear, strong material that won't stain easily. Clear ligatures help maintain the discreet appearance of translucent braces.

Clear plastic retainer-style invisible braces (brand name Invisalign) are popular with adults for minor straightening of the teeth. The retainers are made from molds of your teeth and replaced every couple of weeks with tighter molds until your teeth are straight.