Sapphire Braces

Orthodontic teeth alignment with aesthetic braces on high-tech systems

At the Kiadent Clinic for Personalized Prosthetics, you can affordably install sapphire braces and save on treatment costs. We work with high-tech American brands.

Orthodontic teeth alignment with aesthetic braces is available at our clinic in Odessa, located at 12 Tyraspolskaya Street.

What Are Sapphire Braces?

Sapphire braces are the most advanced type of aesthetic braces for bite correction. They consist of transparent orthodontic brackets attached to the teeth and a holding steel archwire.

The brackets in these systems are made from artificially grown sapphire (monocrystalline ceramic) and belong to the ceramic braces category.

For enhanced aesthetics, all components of sapphire brace systems are designed to be less noticeable:

Archwire — coated with matte or glossy white material (in some cases, a classic silver wire may be used for better treatment efficiency).
Ligatures (elastic or wire fasteners) — can be white, Teflon-coated, or transparent.

Pricing for Sapphire Braces

Full Range of Services for Sapphire Braces

Orthodontist consultation
Retainers
Diagnostics (impressions, fabrication, and model calculations)
Installment plan for sapphire braces — 1.5 years (monthly cost for two arches, all-inclusive)
All-inclusive braces (fabrication, installation, scheduled visits, archwire replacement, removal)

Pros and Cons of Sapphire Braces

Pros:

High transparency ensures excellent aesthetics.
Refract light and can look like jewelry for teeth.
Smooth, polished edges do not irritate or injure the mucosa.
Hypoallergenic and free from allergic reactions.
Resistant to food dyes (wine, coffee, berries).
More comfortable and durable than ceramic systems.

Cons:

More expensive than ceramic and metal braces.
Less durable than stainless steel systems.
Not suitable for correcting severe dental anomalies.

Strong and Efficient

Although sapphire braces are traditionally considered fragile, our clinic uses next-generation sapphire systems that minimize these drawbacks. Enhanced manufacturing technology ensures high strength at ligature attachment points, comfort, and effective impact on teeth.

Types of Sapphire Braces

All sapphire braces are vestibular, meaning they are attached to the visible (outer) surface of the teeth.

Ligature Braces

These systems use elastic or wire ligatures to tension the archwire. Ligatures are attached to each bracket after the archwire is placed and are replaced as the teeth align.

Brands: Ormco Inspire Ice.

Self-Ligating (Non-Ligature) Braces

These systems feature ceramic brackets with passive locks made of ceramic or stainless steel. In passive self-ligating systems, the lock cover holds the archwire in the bracket without pressing it against the slot bottom. Made from polycrystalline ceramic, they are less durable than ligature systems.

Brands: Damon Clear, Damon Clear 2.

Which Is Better: Sapphire or Ceramic?

Unlike ceramic, artificially grown sapphire crystals are highly transparent and refract light. This makes sapphire braces look stunning on white teeth.

For patients with yellowish tooth enamel, we recommend ceramic systems. If you're drawn to the beauty of sapphire, teeth whitening can be performed before treatment to lighten the enamel by 6–8 shades.

Ceramic	Sapphire
Transparency
Matte texture	100% transparent
Durability
Possible chipping or breakage of ligature wings or self-ligating locks	Chipping is unlikely
Treatment Effect
Higher friction of the archwire prolongs treatment	Polished slots shorten treatment time

Doctor's Advice

The choice of system depends not only on the patient’s preferences but also on clinical conditions, indications, and contraindications. During the consultation, the orthodontist will recommend several brace options based on the degree of misalignment, your budget, and aesthetic preferences.

Sapphire Braces Installation Process

1. Step. Diagnostics
The patient undergoes X-ray imaging (TRG or OPTG) to identify dental issues and evaluate the condition of the teeth and bone tissue. Photos of the face from various angles are taken, and impressions of the jaws are made.
2. Step. Oral Preparation
Before installing braces, all sources of infection — cavities, tartar, gum inflammation — are treated. A professional oral cleaning is performed. Sometimes wisdom teeth are removed to relieve pressure on the dental arch.
3. Step. Fabrication
Custom sapphire braces are fabricated based on the impressions using computer-aided CAD/CAM modeling (virtual setup). The final appliance is created from the virtual model.
4. Step. Attachment
The installation process takes 1–2 hours and includes:
1. Preparing the tooth surfaces.
2. Attaching sapphire brackets with photopolymer adhesive.
3. Securing the archwire and additional accessories (rings, springs, ligatures).
Usually, two visits are required — one for each jaw. At the end of the procedure, the doctor schedules follow-up visits and explains oral care during treatment.
5. Step. System Adjustment
Every 4–8 weeks, the patient must visit the clinic for check-ups. During the visit, the doctor evaluates progress, replaces ligatures, and adjusts the archwire.

Restrictions and Contraindications for Installation

Restrictions:

Sapphire is harder than tooth enamel, which in some cases may cause damage to the upper teeth if installed on the lower jaw.
Less effective for severe dental anomalies.
Not recommended for athletes or individuals engaged in high-impact sports due to the risk of chipping and cracking.

In such cases, metal braces, combined, or lingual systems are suggested.

Contraindications:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Diabetes, periodontitis, periodontal disease, active cancer treatment.
Prosthetic structures on implants.
Mixed or deciduous dentition in adolescents.

Questions and Answers

How long should sapphire braces be worn?
Treatment with sapphire systems typically lasts longer than with metal ones — usually 1–3 years, depending on the degree of misalignment. After removal, a retention stage of up to 12 months begins, during which the patient wears a silicone retention cap at night.
How can I save on orthodontic treatment?
You can reduce treatment costs by using systems with a combination of materials. In such designs, brackets on less visible parts of the dental arch (lower jaw and molars) are made of plastic or metal, while the front upper teeth feature sapphire brackets.
Do sapphire braces turn yellow?
Transparent braces are resistant to strong food dyes and retain their original appearance throughout treatment. However, elastic ligatures may slightly discolor due to smoking, coffee, chocolate, or wine. Proper care minimizes discoloration, and ligatures are replaced monthly.
How to care for sapphire braces during treatment?
- Rinse your mouth after every meal.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily using an orthodontic care kit recommended by your dentist.
- Use interdental brushes and an irrigator for cleaning instead of dental floss.
- Avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth, such as croutons, apples, or carrots. Cut hard fruits and vegetables into small pieces.
- Undergo professional cleaning at the clinic every 4 months.