Reviewed by Derek Reznik, DDS, MS
Reznik Orthodontics offers metal braces, ceramic braces, AO Empower self-ligating braces, and Invisalign clear aligners at both its Odessa and Midland offices. Each moves teeth accurately. They differ in what they look like, what they require day to day, and what they cost.
Most patients arrive having already decided which one they want, usually on appearance. That is a reasonable starting point and a bad finishing point, because some cases are handled far better by one appliance than another. Read this to understand the trade-offs, then let the examination settle it.
Metal braces
Ceramic braces
Invisalign clear aligners
Self-ligating braces
Choosing between them
| Metal | Ceramic | Self-ligating | Clear aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Most visible | Low | Low to moderate | Lowest |
| Removable | No | No | No | Yes |
| Elastic ties | Yes | None on Empower Clear | None | Not applicable |
| Handles complex movement | Best | Very good | Very good | Within limits |
| Depends on your discipline | Rubber bands and hygiene only | Same | Same | Heavily |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Higher | Higher | Higher |
Two questions settle most decisions. What has to move, which is clinical and is answered at the examination. And what you will actually do, which only you can answer honestly. A patient who will not wear aligners is better served by brackets, no matter how much they prefer the idea of aligners.
Every option involves visits every 4 to 8 weeks lasting 20 to 40 minutes, at either office, Monday through Thursday. All four end the same way, with a retainer you keep wearing.
What is the same whichever you choose
The mechanics do not change. Every option applies steady light force, the bone around each root remodels, and the tooth follows. Nothing about that is faster or slower because of what the brackets are made of.
Fitting takes one to two hours for a fixed appliance, or a scan and a first set of trays for aligners. Expect three to five days of soreness afterwards, and a week or two while your lips and cheeks toughen up if you are in brackets. Orthodontic wax handles the second part and is supplied as often as you need it.
Then come the visits: every 4 to 8 weeks, 20 to 40 minutes, at either office, Monday through Thursday. Braces have their wires changed as the teeth progress; aligners get checked and the next sets handed over.
Rubber bands are the other constant. If your bite needs correcting, you will wear interarch elastics regardless of which appliance you chose, and how consistently you wear them will affect your result more than the bracket system does.
And every option ends the same way, with a retainer you keep wearing. Teeth drift for the rest of your life whether or not they were ever treated, so retention is not optional if you want the result to hold.
What treatment costs
The fee depends on the case and on the appliance. Consultations are free, monthly payments begin at $99, $0 down is available, and in-house plans carry no interest. Reznik Orthodontics is not in-network with any insurance plan but accepts most PPO plans, bills directly and takes assignment of benefits where allowed. Ask for a figure on more than one option at your consultation; you will get them. The cost and financing page has the detail.
One more thing worth saying plainly: none of these options is a compromise. All four move teeth accurately in a specialist’s hands, and the recommendation you get will follow what your case needs rather than what is easiest to sell.
Ask at the consultation what each suitable option would cost in your specific case, and you will be given the figures rather than a single recommendation.
Book a free consultation
Call the Odessa office at (432) 333-7105 or the Midland office at (432) 682-1222, or request an appointment online.
Dr. Megan Reznik and Dr. Derek Reznik are each a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. You will leave the consultation knowing which options would work for your case, what each would cost, and how long each would take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ceramic brackets break more easily than metal ones?
They are more brittle than steel, so they can chip under heavy force, which is one reason a patient with a very deep bite is sometimes advised toward metal on the lower arch. In ordinary use they hold up fine.
Can I switch appliances partway through treatment?
Sometimes, and it depends on how far along you are and what is left to correct. Raise it at a routine visit rather than waiting for the next problem, because the answer often depends on timing.
Do I get to choose the color of my elastics?
Yes, on any appliance that uses them, and they are changed at every adjustment. Self-ligating brackets do not need them, but colored elastics can be added over the top for patients who want them.
Which type of braces works the fastest?
The one that matches your case. Treatment time is driven by how far the teeth have to move and how consistently you follow instructions, far more than by the appliance. Any practice promising a specific time saving from a bracket brand is selling.