If your teeth are not aligned properly, then your dentist may have recommended that you get braces. However, they might not have told you that there are actually a variety of different options out there. Some types of braces are good for saving money, while other types are easy to conceal. To help you figure out which direction you want to go, here are some of the basic facts about the four most common types of braces:

What are traditional metal braces?

Your most basic option is to get a set of metal braces that attaches to the front of your teeth. This option is fairly easy to install and adjust, which means that you won't need to spend too much time in the orthodontist's office. On top of that, you can easily clean out any large food particles that get stuck in your braces. And on top of that, traditional braces are relatively inexpensive, which means that they are a great choice if you don't have too much money available.

What are ceramic braces?

Alternatively, you could get braces that are made out of ceramic instead of metal. Ceramic blends in with your teeth, which means that your braces are going to be a lot harder to see. If you are concerned about the impact that braces will have on your smile, then opting for ceramic can be the right choice. In terms of comfort and ease of access, ceramic braces are much like traditional metal braces, since they are built in roughly the same fashion.

What are lingual braces?

While regular braces are attached to the outside of your teeth and are thus easy to spot, lingual braces are attached to the inside. This results in a set of braces that is practically invisible, yet also hard to install and work on. Your orthodontist will have a tough time cleaning out a set of lingual braces and making adjustments, which can result in some rather uncomfortable experiences for you. This also means that lingual braces will tend to be more expensive.

What are plastic braces?

Finally, you could get a series of disposable plastic braces, each of which is worn for several weeks. The main benefit of plastic braces is that they can be taken out at will, meaning that you can eat whatever foods you want, whereas other braces prevent you from enjoy foods like caramel corn. In terms of cost, plastic braces tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum, although that can depend entirely on where you live relative to the company that will produce your plastic braces. Contact a dentist like Kyle J Frisinger DMD for more information.