What are braces colors, and how do colored braces work?
When people think of colored braces, what most have in mind is not the wire but the small colored rings placed around the brackets (small buttons bonded to the teeth). These rings are called ligatures, or in everyday language braces bands. Their job is to hold the main wire in the bracket slot. The wire and brackets are usually metal-colored; the color choice is made through these small bands.
In other words, braces colors are a style detail, not a treatment method. Whichever color you choose, the force applied to your teeth, the length of treatment and the result do not change. On this page, you will find practical tips to make choosing a color easier, how often the bands are changed, and options for people who do not want their braces to show.
Are ligatures and orthodontic elastics the same thing?
No. The colored rings around the brackets are ligatures and are put on by the orthodontist. Some patients are also given separate elastics that are hooked onto small hooks on the brackets between the upper and lower teeth; these are called orthodontic elastics (interarch elastics). These elastics help correct the bite and are changed daily by the patient. You can find in detail how the elastics are put on in our article on orthodontic elastics.
When are braces band colors changed?
Ligatures are not permanent. At each check-up appointment, when the wire is adjusted, the old bands are removed and new ones are put on. Check-up intervals vary by person and treatment plan, but in most cases they are every few weeks. So if you do not like a color, you do not have to live with it for long; you can choose another color at your next check-up.
Over time, the bands can pick up color from food and drinks; light shades in particular can look duller in the days close to a check-up. This is natural, and it is one of the reasons the bands are changed regularly. If a band falls off or snaps on its own, do not panic; check whether the wire has come out of place and let your clinic know. Our article on braces emergencies guides you in such situations.
Which braces colors look nicest?
There is no single color that suits everyone; the nicest braces color is the one that matches your skin tone, tooth color and style. Still, general observations about the colors patients often ask about can be summarized as follows:
- Navy and midnight blue: Dark shades help the teeth look whiter. A common choice for people who want an understated, low-key look.
- Blue: A lively but calm color. Light blue shades can make the teeth look cleaner by contrasting with the tooth color.
- Burgundy and wine red: A deep, warm shade. On darker skin and with dark hair, it stands out but stays balanced.
- Pink: A fun color that teenagers especially like. Because light pink is close to the color of the gums, it may be less noticeable from a distance.
- Purple and lilac: Considered to go well with both cool and warm skin tones.
- Shades of green: Dark green looks calmer, while light green and neon shades look bolder.
- Gray, silver and clear: Blend in with metal brackets and help keep the braces from drawing attention.
Many people also prefer to have two or three colors alternated instead of a single color. This is another option you can mention to your orthodontist at your check-up appointment.
What should you consider when choosing a braces color?
Your tooth color and the perception of yellowing
The most overlooked point when choosing a color is how the band color makes your teeth look. White, cream and yellow-toned bands can make the teeth look more yellow. A white band may look clean on the first day, but it quickly picks up color from coffee, tea and spicy food. Black and very dark brown, when seen from a distance, can look like gaps between the teeth or food debris. If your teeth are naturally slightly yellowish, cool shades such as dark blue, navy and purple give a more balanced look.
Skin tone, eye and hair color
Pastel shades and dark blue go well with fair skin, while burgundy, purple, turquoise and vivid shades stand out on olive and darker skin. Choosing a shade that complements your eye color or the colors of clothes you often wear is also a simple but effective method.
Special occasions, school and work
If a graduation, wedding, photo shoot or important presentation is coming up, you can plan your check-up appointment accordingly and choose a more understated color. Some patients prefer their team's colors, or colors that suit periods such as holidays or New Year's. For people who want to draw less attention at work, gray, silver or clear bands are a good middle ground. If you are preparing for an important day, our planning before an important day page may also give you ideas.
What do the animal names on braces elastics mean?
This frequently searched topic actually concerns not the colored ligatures on the brackets but the interarch elastics given to the patient. Some manufacturers label their elastic packs with animal names and pictures. These names carry no meaning or personality trait; they are a code that makes it easier to distinguish the elastic's diameter and the force it applies. The same animal name may correspond to a different size from different manufacturers.
That is why it is your orthodontist, not you, who decides which pack you use. Note down the name of the pack you were given and how often you need to change the elastics, and do not switch to another size when the pack runs out. An elastic of the wrong size can apply a different force to the teeth than planned.
Do colored braces affect treatment?
No. Band color makes no medical difference. What really matters is maintaining oral hygiene, whatever color the bands are. Plaque that builds up around the brackets and bands can lead to white spots on the tooth surface and gum inflammation. Brushing after every meal and using an interdental brush and, if needed, a water flosser reduce this risk. You can find the supplies you can use in our braces care products guide.
To reduce staining, it helps to rinse your mouth with water after consuming strongly colored foods and drinks such as strong tea, coffee, cola, sour cherry juice, pomegranate and curry. We have summarized in a table which foods are suitable with braces on our what to eat with braces page.
I don't want my braces to show: what are the options?
Colored bands are not for everyone. For people who want their braces to be as unnoticeable as possible, the main options are:
- Ceramic (porcelain) brackets: Brackets close to the color of the teeth. Combined with clear or tooth-colored bands and a white-coated wire, they are hard to notice from a distance. For details, see our ceramic braces page and our article on porcelain brackets.
- Self-ligating brackets: In some systems, the wire is held by the bracket's own clip instead of a band. In this case, colored bands are not used.
- Lingual braces: The brackets are bonded to the inner surfaces of the teeth and cannot be seen from the outside. See lingual braces.
- Clear aligners: Treatment with removable clear aligners that fit over the teeth instead of brackets and wires. The clinic uses the Invisalign system. To compare the two methods, you can read our clear aligners vs. braces page.
Which option suits you depends not only on aesthetic preference but also on the condition of your teeth, the type of bite problem and the length of treatment. That is why the decision is made together at the examination. To see all the methods together, take a look at our orthodontic treatments page.
How do I choose a color at my check-up appointment?
At most clinics, a color chart is shown during the check-up. To avoid being undecided, picking a few options before your appointment makes things easier. These small tips may help:
- Start with an understated color; once you see how the braces look on your face, you can move on to bolder shades.
- Take a close-up photo with your phone and look at it again a few days later; your first impression and the everyday look may differ.
- If there is a special occasion in the coming weeks, choose the color accordingly.
- If you choose very light colors, keep in mind that they may stain.
- If you are choosing for your child, leaving the decision to them may improve their cooperation with treatment.
At Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic in Çankaya, Ankara, braces and clear aligner treatments are planned by an orthodontist. You can discuss which method suits you at the examination and arrange your check-up appointments for weekday evenings or Saturdays. For the general flow of treatment, see our braces treatment page, and for information about treatment time, our how long braces take page.