It can be hard to choose between braces and clear aligners. Today, our dentists in Nanaimo provide you with some information that you can take into consideration when making your choice.
Deciding Between Braces & Clear Aligners
It's difficult to decide between braces and clear aligners, which is why we have shared some useful information that can help you make your choice, on which treatment you will want to help you straighten 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'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. You will only need to attend brief appointments with your clear aligners provider every 4 to 6 weeks so they can review your progress and general oral health, answer questions, and adjust treatment as required.
The cost of clear aligners might be comparable to braces (maybe a bit more expensive) depending on your individual treatment plan. Casual observers will have a hard time seeing your clear aligners when being worn, and you won't have any dietary restrictions so you can keep eating the food you love.
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 mealtimes every day.
Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
These are the most common type of braces. Made entirely out of metal and supported by elastics, metal braces have received numerous upgrades in recent decades thanks to advancements in orthodontic technology.
Over time, braces 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 changes 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 to choose metal braces because of their appearance.
In this case, clear braces may be a viable alternative.
Clear Braces
Lots of people opt for clear braces because they blend in with their smile better. This option is not transparent but, 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.
Clear braces also often cost more than other options, which is why to save on expense, many people just use them on their upper front (most visible) teeth.
You should also know that your gums might feel sensitive with these because the ceramic braces are larger and it can be more difficult to clean around the brackets, which could lead to receding or swollen gums if your toothbrush can't reach the gum line and enamel.