Having dental braces used to mean a mouth full of metal. These days options abound -- from porcelain dental braces to tooth-colored dental braces to clear and behind-the-teeth choices. But traditional metal braces shouldn't be counted out -- especially since they can be overlaid in gold. Yes, you read right, gold!
Dental braces are designed to help an orthodontist align your teeth and correct problems with your bite (a malocclusion), such as crooked teeth or an overbite. The average treatment time is about 24 months. Gold braces can help you look great not only after orthodontic treatment but during as well. Gold braces are the ultimate fashion statement for the person who really wants to stand out from the crowd.
The earliest dental braces were actually made of a variety of substances, including both gold and silver. These dental braces literally created a "metal mouth" because the bands wrapped around the entire tooth. Gold was a popular choice for early dental braces because it is soft and easy to shape. The only problem is that because gold is so soft, the dental braces required frequent adjustments by the orthodontist to keep things on track. It was also very expensive!
The Golden Age of Dental Braces
Dental braces have come a long way since the 1900s; today, gold braces are actually made of stainless steel, just like standard braces. They just happen to be overlaid in gold! That means you reap all the benefits of standard metal braces without the expense of a solid gold grin.