Not sure how to choose between clear aligners and traditional braces? Our Sydney River dentists offer some factors to think about, including cosmetic considerations.
Choosing Between Clear Aligners & Braces
Braces vs. transparent aligners like Invisalign: a difficult decision! Fortunately, we can assist you. Here are some details about each choice to think about as you decide which one will help you smile straight.
Clear Aligners
Aligners that are transparent and clear, like Invisalign, are made specifically for your smile. The clear plastic used to make these removable orthodontic appliances is transparent. They lack the brackets and wires that come with braces, making them less noticeable.
You'll get a treatment program that is specially created for you and will assist in your efforts to improve your smile. Since you might not need as many appointments or checkups with your clear aligners as you might with braces, you will typically spend less time in the dentist's office during treatment. Every 4 to 6 weeks, your dentist will schedule quick check-ups with you. During these visits, they will review your progress and overall oral health, address any questions you may have, and adjust your treatment as necessary.
They may be comparable to the cost of braces or slightly more expensive, depending on your specific treatment plan. A casual observer would be hard pressed to notice them on your teeth, and you will be able to eat and drink whatever you want.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, must be worn for 22 hours per day and removed when drinking or eating anything other than water. Commitment to treatment, self-control, and meal planning to fit within the 2 hours allotted for meal times each day.
Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
These are the most widely used braces. Metal braces, which are entirely made of metal and supported by elastics, have undergone numerous upgrades in recent decades as orthodontic technology has advanced.
Your teeth will gradually move into their new, corrected positions as a result of the constant pressure applied to them over time by braces. The bone alters shape to accommodate the teeth's new positions as this pressure is applied and the teeth move.
Nowadays' brackets are simpler than those from the past. As brackets have gotten smaller and more comfortable, you'll now have a lower chance of developing irritation on the inside of your cheeks or lips from one. Because of how they look, some people are still hesitant to choose metal braces.
In this case, clear braces may be a viable alternative.
Clear Braces
Many patients choose clear braces as they are better able to blend in with their smile. They are not actually transparent; the brackets are constructed from tooth-coloured ceramic.
While clear braces are a compromise between metal braces and clear aligners in terms of appearance, they are actually more brittle and larger in size than the conventional metal braces you may have seen.
They also tend to be more costly. Therefore, they are commonly used only on upper front (your most visible) teeth to save on costs.
Keep in mind that your gums may feel sensitive with these because the larger ceramic brackets can make cleaning around the brackets more difficult, leading to receding or swollen gums if your toothbrush does not reach the gum line and enamel.