Metallic braces and Ceramic labial braces work in the same manner but the Ceramic braces generally have more friction between the wire and the bracket slot due to which the movement over the treatment period can be slightly delayed. To overcome this problem the Ceramic braces can come with metal inserts in the slot where the wire sits. These Ceramic braces with metal slot/insertss have reduced friction and allow the bracket to slide over the wire much better. When we are using pure ceramic the treatment duration may get increased by a few months.
Difference between Self-Ligating brackets and regular brackets
All braces have a slot cut into their face through which the wire passes through.
In normal braces the wire is held into the slot either by using steel ligature wire or by using elastic modules. The elastic modules have the highest amount of friction as they actively hold the wire into the slot. This in turn causes the wire to bind against the bracket and leads to increased friction.
Self- Ligating brackets have a window which covers the slot which makes the slot in to a four walled enclosure. This helps to enclose the wire within the four walls and it thereby hold the wire in place.
Self- Ligating brackets are broadly of two types-
a) Self-Ligating brackets with active clips- These brackets have an active Niti clip which in although does not push the wire in actively in the initial stages but in the later stages of treatment push the heavier wires in actively and this in turn leads to a better torque expression.
b) Self-Ligating brackets with passive clips- These brackets have a forth wall which slides aver the slot and does not actively push the wire into the slot. Some believe that the torque expression suffers on this account so the final orthodontic results are not as good.

Ceramic-Brakects

Cearmic Brackets with metal slots