Clear Braces in Fort Wayne, Auburn & Fishers
Clear braces use tooth-colored ceramic brackets, so you get the control of traditional braces with far less metal in your smile. Dr. Joel Johnson offers them at all three O·M·I Orthodontics offices.
What Are Clear Braces?
Clear braces, also called ceramic braces or white braces, are fixed braces whose brackets are made of a tooth-colored ceramic instead of stainless steel. They are bonded to the front of your teeth and connected by an archwire, exactly like metal braces, and they move teeth the same way. The difference is how they look: the brackets blend in with your enamel, so people notice your teeth before they notice your braces.
At O·M·I Orthodontics, ceramic braces sit alongside traditional metal braces and clear aligners. If you are searching for “invisible braces,” any of these could be the answer. Dr. Johnson’s job at your first visit is to match the option to your bite and your goals.
Clear Braces, Metal Braces or Clear Aligners?
All three straighten teeth. They differ in visibility, in how much they depend on your daily habits and in the kinds of bite problems they handle well.
| Option | How it looks | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Clear (ceramic) braces | Tooth-colored brackets; low-key up close and in photos | Fixed to the teeth, so they work around the clock. Brackets are a little larger than metal and need more care with hard foods. |
| Metal braces | Silver brackets, with colored ties if you want them | The most durable and usually the most economical choice. A good fit for younger patients and heavy bite correction. |
| Clear aligners | Nearly invisible removable trays | Removable for eating and brushing, but they only work while you wear them, most of the day and night. |
If you like the look of aligners but know you would leave trays in a drawer, ceramic braces are often the better answer. They give you a discreet smile without asking you to remember anything.
Who Are Clear Braces a Good Fit For?
Clear braces suit most patients who have all of their permanent teeth and care about how their braces look. In our offices that usually means:
- Adults who meet with clients, teach, present or simply do not want metal in their smile. Clear braces are one of the main options we offer in adult orthodontics.
- Older teens who are thinking about school photos, sports pictures, prom or graduation and are ready to take care of their brackets.
- Patients whose teeth need more control than aligners give, such as rotated teeth, deep bites or crowding that has to be untangled tooth by tooth.
Younger children in early treatment, and patients who play contact sports without a mouthguard, are often better served by metal brackets, which are smaller and tougher. Ceramic material is harder than tooth enamel, so where the upper and lower teeth meet, orthodontists sometimes use ceramic brackets on the upper teeth and metal on the lower teeth. Dr. Johnson will tell you plainly if a different option would serve your bite better.
What Treatment With Clear Braces Looks Like
Your free consultation
Your first visit is a complimentary consultation. We take records with advanced 3D imaging and a digital scan of your teeth, then Dr. Johnson walks you through what he sees and the options that fit. Please bring your dental insurance card, a list of current medications or medical conditions and any dental or orthodontic records you already have.
Placing your braces
Placing braces does not involve needles or drilling. The ceramic brackets are bonded to the clean, dry surface of each tooth and the archwire is fitted. Most people feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple of days while the teeth, gums and cheeks get used to the brackets. Soft foods help during those first days.
Adjustment visits
You come back every several weeks so we can check progress and change wires or ties. With clear braces, the elastic ties are usually changed at these visits too, which keeps the brackets looking clean. How long treatment takes depends on how much your teeth and bite need to move, and you get an estimated timeline at your consultation.
Caring for Clear Braces
The ceramic brackets resist staining. The small elastic ties that hold the wire, and the food trapped around them, are what can discolor between visits. A few habits keep your smile looking clear:
- Brush at least three times a day and after meals, and floss once a day. We show you how to brush and floss around brackets after your braces go on.
- Go easy on coffee, tea, dark soda, red wine and heavily colored sauces, or rinse with water right after.
- Skip sticky, chewy and hard foods such as caramel, gum, hard candy, nuts, ice and corn on the cob. They can loosen or chip a bracket.
- Keep up your checkups with your family dentist every six months. Food caught around braces can lead to cavities and gum problems if it is left there.
If a bracket feels loose or a wire starts poking, call the office that treats you and our team will help.
Cost, Insurance and Payment Options
Clear braces usually cost a little more than metal braces because the brackets are made from a different material. Your actual fee depends on your treatment plan, which is why we set it at your consultation rather than quote it over the phone. An O·M·I Orthodontics Smile Advisor goes over the cost and every payment option with you before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
We accept all major insurance providers, and our team will run a complimentary benefits check and help with claims and paperwork. We accept HSA cards, cash, check and debit or credit cards, and we offer 0% financing options. See our pricing, insurance and financing options pages for more detail.
Clear Braces at Our Three Indiana Offices
Dr. Johnson trained in orthodontics at the University of Michigan, where he still serves as an adjunct clinical professor in the Department of Orthodontics. He guides every patient with a personalized treatment plan, and O·M·I Orthodontics has been family owned since 1990. No referral is needed to book.
- Fort Wayne: 10211 Dupont Circle Drive, Suite A, in the Dupont Hospital Medical Park near I-69 and I-469. (260) 489-8989. Read more about braces in Fort Wayne.
- Auburn: 702 W Seventh St. (260) 925-0300. Read more about braces in Auburn.
- Fishers: 13910 Olivia Way, Unit 100, off Olio Road. (317) 939-6600. Read more about braces in Fishers.
Clear Braces FAQs
Are clear braces as effective as metal braces?
For most cases, yes. Ceramic brackets hold the same archwires and move teeth the same way. Metal is still the tougher choice for very young patients and for some heavy bite corrections, and Dr. Johnson will say so if that applies to you.
Do clear braces turn yellow?
The brackets themselves resist staining. The elastic ties can pick up color from food and drinks, but they are usually replaced at your adjustment visits, and good brushing between visits keeps them looking fresh.
Are clear braces the same as clear aligners?
No. Clear braces are bonded to your teeth and stay on until treatment is finished. Clear aligners are removable trays you change on a schedule. Both are discreet; the right one depends on your bite and on whether you want something fixed or removable.
Do clear braces hurt more than metal braces?
No. Expect the same mild discomfort for a couple of days after placement and after some adjustments, just as with metal braces.
Can teenagers get clear braces?
Yes. Older teens who will look after their brackets are often great candidates. For younger children we usually recommend metal brackets because they are smaller and more durable.
Book a Free Clear Braces Consultation
Find out whether clear braces fit your smile, and what treatment would involve, at a complimentary consultation in Fort Wayne, Auburn or Fishers. Start your free consultation online, or call the office nearest you.