Gold Braces at Evrigenis Orthodontics
Gold braces in Sacramento are the same appliance as traditional metal braces with one difference: the brackets carry a warm gold finish instead of bright silver. They hold the same archwire, correct the same problems and take about the same amount of time. At Evrigenis Orthodontics, Dr. Gregory Evrigenis places Iconix gold braces at both our Pavilions Lane and Del Paso Road offices in Sacramento, starting with a free consultation.
Most patients asking about gold braces are weighing appearance against durability. That is a reasonable thing to think through, and the short answer is that gold is one of the few aesthetic options that costs you no strength at all.
What Gold Braces Actually Are
A gold bracket is a stainless steel bracket with a gold-colored finish bonded to it. There is no solid gold involved, which is what keeps the cost in line with ordinary metal braces. Underneath the color, the bracket body, the slot the wire sits in and the wings the ties wrap around are the same steel used in standard braces.
That construction is why the finish matters so little clinically. Tooth movement comes from the archwire, not from the surface of the bracket, so a gold bracket and a silver bracket of the same design move teeth identically.
Why Patients Choose Gold Over Silver
Silver brackets are noticeable largely because they contrast with enamel. A warmer gold tone sits closer to the color of teeth and to warmer skin tones, so it draws less attention in conversation and in photographs. Patients tend to describe the effect as looking intentional rather than clinical.
The finish is bonded to the bracket rather than painted on, so it holds its color through a full course of treatment. Brushing, adjustment visits and normal eating will not wear it off.
Gold, Clear or Invisalign?
Gold braces are one of three ways to straighten teeth without an obvious mouthful of silver. They suit different patients for different reasons.
Gold Braces
Fixed, full-strength and visibly gold. The right choice if you want something subtler than silver but will not trade away the durability of metal, which makes them a sensible fit for athletes, heavy chewers and younger patients who are hard on appliances.
Clear Braces
Ceramic brackets in a tooth-colored shade, and the most discreet fixed option we offer. Ceramic is more brittle than steel and chips more easily, so it asks for more care. Read more about clear braces.
Invisalign
Removable clear aligners, nearly invisible, and the usual choice for adults in client-facing work. They only work when they are worn 20 to 22 hours a day, so they reward disciplined patients. Read more about Invisalign.
What to Expect at the Bonding Appointment
Placing gold braces takes about an hour and does not require numbing. We clean and dry each tooth, bond the brackets on with adhesive, seat the archwire and secure it with elastic ties. You pick the tie colors, and they are changed at every adjustment.
Soreness starts later that day and generally settles within seven to ten days. Soft food, cold drinks and an over-the-counter pain reliever cover it. Wax over any bracket rubbing a cheek helps until the tissue toughens up, which it does within a couple of weeks.
Foods, Hygiene and Protecting the Finish
The food rules are the same as for any fixed appliance and they exist to protect the brackets: no ice, hard candy, nuts, popcorn or chewing on pens; cut apples and corn off the cob instead of biting into them; go easy on sticky candy. A broken bracket is not an emergency, but it does mean an extra appointment and can stall progress.
Brushing takes longer with braces, ideally after every meal, angling the brush above and below each bracket, with floss threaders or a water flosser at night. Hygiene also keeps the gold looking its best. Plaque left sitting around brackets dulls the finish, and the white marks it leaves on enamel do not go away when the braces come off.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Comprehensive treatment commonly runs between one and two and a half years. Because the bracket is mechanically the same as a metal bracket, choosing gold does not add time. What moves the timeline is how far the teeth have to travel, whether the bite needs correcting and how consistently elastics are worn. Dr. Evrigenis gives a specific estimate at the consultation and updates you as treatment progresses.
Cost, Insurance and Payment
Gold braces are priced in line with traditional metal braces, which surprises patients who expect an aesthetic option to carry a premium. Fees still depend on the treatment plan, so we quote them after the exam rather than over the phone. Our team will check your orthodontic insurance benefit, explain what it covers and lay out payment plan options before you decide anything. If you would rather start with the basics, our new patient information covers what to bring and what to expect.
Are Gold Braces Right for You?
Crowding, gaps, rotations, overbites and underbites all respond to gold braces the same way they respond to metal, so most patients who are candidates for braces at all are candidates for gold. Adults make up a large share of the patients who choose them, and no one is too old for orthodontic treatment. See also our pages on braces in Sacramento and orthodontics for all ages.
Schedule a Free Consultation in Sacramento
Every new patient at Evrigenis Orthodontics starts with a free consultation — an exam, a conversation about what you want to change, and a clear recommendation with no pressure to start. It is also the easiest way to see the gold brackets in person before you commit. Visit us at our Pavilions office at 544 Pavilions Lane, Sacramento, CA 95825 (916-923-9168) or our Natomas office at 1954 Del Paso Road, Suite 101, Sacramento, CA 95834 (916-575-9990). Both offices see patients Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.