Types of Braces in Antioch and Brentwood
Reviewed by Dr. Brent E. Sexton
There are four realistic ways to straighten teeth at Delta Smiles: metal braces, clear ceramic braces, self-ligating brackets and clear aligners. All four work. The right one depends on your bite, your day, and how much you care about how it looks while it’s happening.
Dr. Brent Sexton and Dr. Tiffany Louie will tell you which options suit your case and which don’t, instead of presenting all four as equally good and leaving you to guess.
Metal Braces
Still the most versatile appliance in orthodontics, and still the right answer for a large share of cases. Stainless steel brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by an archwire that does the moving. Today's brackets are noticeably smaller and smoother than the ones most adults remember, and the wires are gentler. Metal handles everything from mild crowding to significant bite correction, works regardless of whether the patient remembers to do anything, and is the most economical option we offer. Kids and teens usually pick their own elastic colors, which is a small thing that makes a long process more bearable.
Best for: any age, any complexity, and anyone who'd rather not have to think about compliance.
Clear Ceramic Braces
The same system, with tooth-colored or clear brackets instead of steel. From conversational distance they're far less obvious, which is why they're popular with adults and with teens who feel strongly about photographs. The trade-offs are honest ones: ceramic brackets are slightly larger than metal, marginally more prone to chipping under heavy force, and the clear elastic ties can pick up stain from coffee, tea and tomato-based sauces between visits. We change the ties at every appointment, so the staining resets, but if you drink a lot of coffee it's worth knowing.
Best for: adults and older teens who want the effectiveness of braces with a lower profile.
Clear Aligners
A series of removable clear trays instead of fixed brackets. You take them out to eat and brush, and wear them 20 to 22 hours a day otherwise. Aligners handle a wide range of crowding, spacing and bite problems very well, and they ask something in return: consistent wear. For a disciplined adult that's a good trade. For a teenager who loses things, braces are often the kinder recommendation. Full detail on the Invisalign page.
Best for: adults and committed teens with mild to moderate alignment needs.
Comparing Your Options
| Â | Metal | Ceramic | Â | Clear aligners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Most visible | Low profile | Â | Nearly invisible |
| Handles complex cases | Yes | Yes | Â | Some |
| Depends on patient compliance | Some: elastics and food rules | Some | Â | Heavily: 20 to 22 hrs/day |
| Removable | No | No | Â | Yes |
| Food restrictions | Some | Some | Â | None |
| Staining risk | None | Elastic ties can stain | Â | None |
What Decides the Recommendation
Three things, in this order.
What the teeth need to do. Some movements are far easier to achieve with a fixed appliance. Others are equally straightforward either way. This is the part that isn’t negotiable, and it’s why the exam comes before the recommendation.
Who’s wearing it. A 13-year-old on a water polo team, a 45-year-old in client meetings all week and a 9-year-old in Phase One treatment have very different needs.
What you’re comfortable with. Where two options would both work, the choice is yours, and we’ll say so when that’s the case.
Why Straight Teeth Matter Beyond Appearance
Crowded and overlapping teeth are harder to clean, which raises the risk of decay and gum disease over decades, not months. A bite that doesn’t meet evenly wears unevenly, and that wear doesn’t reverse. Correcting alignment protects the teeth you already have, which matters most for adults.
See Which Option Suits You
Call (925) 754-3197 in Antioch or (925) 513-9320 in Brentwood, or request an appointment. The exam is free, and you’ll leave with a recommendation and the full cost.
Related: living with braces · Invisalign · what treatment costs · treatment for teens
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about orthodontic treatment at Delta Smiles. From braces and Invisalign® to appointments, financing, and patient care, we’re here to help you feel informed and confident every step of the way.
Which works faster, braces or aligners?
Neither, reliably. Treatment time tracks the case, not the appliance. A simple case finishes quickly on either; a difficult one takes as long as it takes. Anyone promising a specific timeline before examining you is guessing.
Are ceramic braces as strong as metal?
Strong enough for the vast majority of cases. Ceramic brackets are marginally more brittle under heavy force, so in cases needing very heavy mechanics, we may recommend metal on the lower teeth and ceramic on the visible upper ones.
Can I choose my elastic colors?
Yes, and you can change them at every visit. It’s the single most popular part of treatment for patients under about fifteen.
Which option do adults usually choose in Brentwood, CA?
Clear aligners first, then ceramic braces. But plenty of adults choose metal once they hear the trade-offs, especially when the case is complex or the budget matters. There’s no wrong answer when it comes to appliances that suit your case.