Conventional metallic braces are made from stainless steel alloyed with trace amounts of other metals and are considered a mainstay of orthodontic therapy. Ceramic braces have been available for over 20 years representing considerable esthetic improvement without any compromise of a quality result. Most adults and some younger patients prefer the low key appearance of ceramic.

The ceramic material is 5-7 times more expensive than metallic braces and its use adds 4-5% to the cost of the braces. For patients with deep overbites (excess vertical overlap of the front teeth), it may not be prudent to place ceramic braces on the lower teeth as they could damage the upper teeth upon contact for the ceramic material is both harder than enamel and abrasive.