What Colors Do Braces Come In?
Braces come in over 80 different colors, including black, white, red, blue, green, and purple, as well as more exotic colors such as glow in the dark, metallic gold, and tooth-colored. You can mix and match these colors and change them every adjustment.
Getting to pick the color of your braces is one of the more exciting parts of the entire journey to a better smile. The color combination ideas are almost endless. You could choose your favorite color, or choose seasonal colors such as pastels in the springtime. A popular option is to alternate bands using your school colors or having an entire rainbow across each arch. Feel free to get creative with this!
What is the coloring on braces?
The coloring on braces is from the elastic bands, called elastomeric ligature ties, that are wrapped around the wings of the metal brackets that are cemented to your teeth.
These brackets have a slot in the middle and a wing at each corner. Once the brackets are cemented to your teeth, an archwire will then be placed in slots of the bracket, and then the ligature bands are wrapped around the outside of the wings to secure the wire in place. Sometimes the bands are stretched to connect to several brackets across multiple teeth, thus increasing the amount of power and tension on those particular teeth. There are no elastic bands on clear aligners like Invisalign.
How are Ligature Ties Placed and Removed?
Your orthodontist will use an instrument called a hemostat to place the tiny ligature ties around your brackets. Removing them is usually performed on the day of your adjustment by a dental assistant using a scaler, it’s completely painless and takes just a few minutes.
What are some of the most popular color combinations for braces?
- Favorite color:An obvious choice is to pick a color that you already love! If you have more than one favorite color, you can choose them both for a more unique smile!
- Match your outfit:Take a look at what colors are most prevalent in your closet and then pick a braces color that is complementary to your style! Adult patients often pick a neutral color that closely matches their enamel, complementing any outfit or occasion.
- Holidays and Events: St. Patrick’s Day (Green), Fourth of July (Red White and Blue), Christmas (Red and Green), and many other holidays have signature colors. A fun way to get into the holiday spirit is to match the color of your braces with an upcoming holiday. Also, consider coordinating your braces color for any special occasions like weddings or graduations.
- Your favorite sports team:Show your team spirit by putting your favorite team’s colors on display with your braces!
Dr. Dina Sanchez
Board Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Dina Sanchez is a board certified orthodontist, mom, published author, wife, University of Maryland clinical professor, abstract artist, tooth fairy, and accidental lacrosse superfan. Learn more about Dr. D here.
