Types of Braces in San Carlos and Menlo Park

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.

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.

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.

Customized Braces

We are excited to be able to provide a customized experience with Braces by offering the first metal braces that are precision fit using a custom 3D printed tray. Because custom brackets are made specifically for a patient's smile, brackets can be placed exactly where they need to be and wires can be bent to direct the teeth to their desired positions.

The process starts with a digital scan of your teeth – no goopy impressions required! The scan creates a topographical map of your unique anatomy which Dr. Tavarez uses to select the ideal brackets and placement for each tooth. This means your treatment is customized to your unique anatomy, so you get to your new smile faster than ever!

Here are just a few things patients love about Custom Braces:

• Fewer office visits required
• Custom braces make treatment more comfortable
• Exceptional results are achieved in record time