Are you unsure about what to choose when it comes to traditional braces and clear aligners when addressing an orthodontic issue in your smile? Here, our North Sydney dentists offer some factors to think about, including cosmetic considerations.
Choosing Between Clear Aligners & Braces
When considering your orthodontic treatment options, deciding between Invisalign and braces may be a really tough choice! Luckily, we are able to help you out. The following are some facts and considerations to kee in mind when thinking about which treatment option better suits your smile.
Clear Aligners
Transparent clear aligners such as Invisalign are custom-made to fit your smile. These removable orthodontic appliances are constructed from clear plastic material. They forgo the brackets and wires that accompany braces and are therefore lower profile in appearance.
You will receive an individually customized treatment plan that will help you to achieve your smile goals. You will generally spend less time in your dentist's office during treatment since you may not need as many checkups or appointments, since your clear aligners wouldn't require routine adjustments like braces do. Your dentist will schedule brief appointments with you every 4 to 6 weeks and take the chance to review your progress and general oral health will you, answer any questions you may have, and adjust your treatments as required.
You'll receive an individually customized treatment plan that will help achieve your smile goals. You will typically spend less time in your dentist's office during treatment as you may not need as many checkups or appointments, since your clear aligners wouldn't require regular adjustments as braces do. Your dentist will schedule brief appointments with you every 4 to 6 weeks, and take the opportunity to review your progress and general oral health, answer questions, and adjust treatment as required.
Depending on your specific treatment plan, they may be in line with the cost of braces or slightly more expensive. A casual observer will be hard-pressed to see them on your teeth, and you won't have any restrictions on the food and drinks you can enjoy.
However, clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours each day and removed while drinking and eating anything except water. Commitment to treatment, self-discipline and scheduling meals to fit within the 2 hours allotted for meal times every day.
Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
These are the most common variety of braces available to patients. They are made from metal and supported by elastics. Metal braces have undergone changes in recent decades when compared to the orthodontic appliances you may be familiar with thanks to advancements in orthodontic technology.
Over the course of your treatment, braces will apply continuous pressure to your teeth, slowly shifting them into their new, corrected positions. As this pressure is applied and the teeth move, the bone will change shape to accommodate their new positions.
Brackets today are more streamlined than those used in years past. Now, you’ll run less risk of the inside of your cheeks or lips growing irritated by a bracket, as the brackets have gotten smaller and more comfortable. However, some people are still reluctant choose metal braces because of their appearance.
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.
Clear braces come with a caveat: while they are a compromise between metal braces and clear aligners when it comes to appearance, they are actually more brittle and larger in size than the traditional metal braces you may have seen.
This treatment option also tends to be a bit more costly. Therefore, they are most often used for treatments to your upper front teeth (since they are most visible) in order to save on costs.
Keep in mind that your gums may feel sensitive with these, as the larger ceramic brackets can make it more challenging to clean around the brackets, leading to receding or swollen gums should your toothbrush not reach the gum line and enamel.