Ceramic Braces in Somerville, MA

Discreet, Tooth-Colored Braces With Full-Time Control

At Somerville Orthodontics, nothing means more to us than helping our neighbors feel confident in their own smile. Ceramic braces give patients across Somerville and the greater Boston area the same full-time control as traditional braces, with a softer, tooth-colored look that’s easy to live with at work, at school, and everywhere in between. Under the care of board-certified orthodontist Dr. Moonyoung Lee, our ceramic braces patients get precise, predictable treatment backed by real technology and a team that knows this community.

Why Somerville Patients Are Choosing Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are gaining ground for a simple reason: more adults than ever are getting braces, and most would rather not broadcast it. According to the American Association of Orthodontists’ most recent national survey, the number of adults in active orthodontic treatment has climbed to roughly 1.9 million, up sharply from just a few years earlier, with adults now making up close to one in three orthodontic patients nationwide.

For the professionals, parents, and graduate students who make up so much of the Somerville community, that trend tracks: people want a fixed, dependable treatment that can handle real bite correction, without the self-consciousness that can come with a mouthful of metal in meetings, on video calls, or in the classroom.

Benefits of Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces combine the discretion patients want with the control orthodontists trust. Here’s why so many Somerville teens and adults choose them:

Naturally discreet

Tooth-colored and clear brackets blend with your enamel, so your braces are far less noticeable than metal, in person and on camera.

Comprehensive control

Ceramic braces can treat many of the same complex crowding, spacing, and bite issues as traditional metal braces, not just minor cosmetic tweaks.

Always working

No trays to remove or forget. Just like traditional braces, your treatment progresses every day, automatically.

Stain-resistant brackets

The ceramic material itself is engineered to resist staining and discoloration for the entire length of your treatment.

Comfortable & modern

Today’s ceramic brackets are smaller and smoother than earlier generations, reducing irritation to lips and cheeks.

A trusted middle ground

A popular choice for teens and adults who want something more discreet than metal, but don’t want to rely on remembering to wear a removable device.

Are Ceramic Braces Right for You?

Ceramic braces tend to be an especially strong fit if:

  • You’re a teen or adult who wants a less visible alternative to metal braces but prefers a fixed, always-on treatment over a removable one.
  • You have moderate-to-complex crowding, spacing, or bite concerns that need the full-time control only fixed braces provide.
  • You want the confidence of knowing your treatment never comes off, and never depends on you remembering to wear it.
  • You’re comparing options and want something that looks more natural than metal in photos, video calls, and everyday conversation.
  • You’re comfortable wearing a mouthguard during contact sports, since ceramic brackets are slightly more brittle than metal.
Welcome to Somerville Orthodontics

The Ceramic Braces Treatment Process at Somerville Orthodontics

1. Your First Consultation

We’ll talk through your smile goals and orthodontic concerns, and Dr. Lee will assess whether ceramic braces are the right fit for you or your teen.

2. Your Custom Treatment Plan

Our digital scanner creates a fast, goop-free 3D image of your teeth, so we can map your treatment, estimate your timeline, and depending on your chosen treatment, we can show your smile prediction.

3. Getting Your Ceramic Braces On

We bond your custom ceramic brackets and thread your archwire in a single, comfortable visit, no surprises, no long chair time.

4. Monitoring Your Progress

Roughly every 4 to 6 weeks, we’ll bring you in to adjust your archwire, refresh your ligature ties, and track your progress toward your new smile.

5. Caring for Your New Smile

Once treatment wraps up, we’ll fit you with a custom retainer, sometimes produced right in our office with our in-house 3D printer, to protect your results for years to come.

How Ceramic Braces Work

Ceramic braces work exactly like traditional metal braces: small brackets are bonded to each tooth, then connected by an archwire that gently guides your teeth toward proper alignment. The difference comes down to materials. Instead of stainless steel, ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets made from a durable ceramic composite, so they blend into your smile instead of standing out against it. And because ceramic braces stay on your teeth around the clock, just like metal braces, there’s no removing, no forgetting, and no compliance guesswork: your treatment keeps moving forward every single day, just more quietly.

Ready to Start Your Smile Journey with Ceramic Braces?

Schedule your Smile Assessment with Somerville Orthodontics today, in person or virtually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ceramic braces stain?
The brackets themselves resist staining for the life of your treatment. The elastic ligature ties can pick up minor color from dark foods and drinks, but they’re replaced at every adjustment, roughly every 4 to 6 weeks.
Generally, yes, ceramic braces tend to cost a bit more than traditional metal braces, though typically less than clear aligners for a comparable case. We’ll walk you through exact pricing and financing options at your consultation.
Most patients complete treatment in about 12 to 24 months, similar to traditional metal braces, though timelines vary based on the complexity of your bite.
You may notice mild soreness for a few days after your braces are placed or adjusted, which is typical of any fixed braces. Most patients adjust quickly, and any discomfort is minor and short-lived.
Yes. Ceramic braces are a popular option for teens who want a less visible alternative to metal, as well as for adults. Because ceramic brackets are slightly more brittle than metal, we recommend a mouthguard for contact sports.
Ceramic braces are fixed to your teeth and work continuously with no compliance required, which makes them a strong fit for more complex cases. Clear aligners are removable and nearly invisible, but rely on you wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day. Dr. Lee will help you compare both during your consultation.