Ceramic Braces

The brackets themselves are stain-resistant, but the clear elastic bands that hold the wire can discolor if you drink a lot of coffee, red wine, or curry. These bands get changed at every adjustment (every 4-6 weeks), so staining isn't permanent. Just be aware you might see some yellowing toward the end of each cycle.

Not quite. Avoid hard foods (nuts, hard candy, ice), sticky foods (caramel, gummy bears), and anything you have to bite into with your front teeth (whole apples, corn on the cob). Ceramic brackets are more fragile than metal ones and can chip if you're not careful. Cut food into smaller pieces and chew with your back teeth.

Most people notice visible changes within 2-3 months. Your teeth won't be perfect that quickly, but you'll see movement. Full treatment averages 18-24 months.

Contact your clinic immediately. Most international clinics in Hanoi and HCMC offer emergency appointments for broken brackets. If you're traveling outside Vietnam when it happens, any orthodontist can temporarily reattach it: just save the bracket. Don't delay; a broken bracket can extend your treatment time.

Yes, but you'd need to pay for the metal brackets. Some people start with ceramic on top teeth (more visible) and metal on bottom teeth (less visible) to save money. Talk to your orthodontist about hybrid options if cost is a concern.

Your teeth will shift back. It's not a maybe. It's a certainty. After braces come off, your teeth are in their new positions but the bone and tissue around them need time to stabilize. Most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers full-time for 6 months, then nightly forever. Skipping this means wasting 2 years and thousands of dollars.