A beautiful and bright smile oozes confidence. Having crooked and misaligned teeth can distort the smile and lower your self-esteem. If you have conditions like crooked teeth, bite problems, and teeth crowding, you may need orthodontic treatment to correct them. Braces and clear aligners are options for individuals with different orthodontic issues.
Braces are made of porcelain or metal. Additionally, wires and rubber bands help to pull teeth in the desired direction. Clear aligners are made of plastic. If you opt for aligners, the orthodontist will make a custom set to fit your teeth. Each aligner gradually moves the teeth to the correct position. Braces and aligners serve a similar purpose. However, they differ in material, appearance, hygiene, and maintenance.
The best orthodontic treatment for you depends on your preference, lifestyle needs, and budget. If you are undecided about braces or clear aligners, seek advice from an experienced orthodontist. You must understand the benefits and setbacks of aligners and braces. Additionally, you can consider these factors when determining the right procedure:
Appearance
When choosing between aligners and braces, you must consider your desired appearance. Having metals sticking out of their teeth could cause self-awareness for many individuals. Metal braces are a visible option. The brackets and wires are stainless steel and attached to the teeth. The brackets pass through the middle of your teeth. This makes them visible, especially when smiling or talking.
The primary advantage of clear aligners is their near-invisibility. Because aligners are made from transparent plastic, they are much less noticeable than metal braces. This makes them an appealing option for individuals concerned about their appearance. Opting for clear aligners can ensure you continue to enjoy a beautiful smile.
Comfort
Many people look for comfort when choosing the proper orthodontic procedure. Braces or clear aligners involve placing foreign objects in the mouth, which could feel unnatural. Metal braces have wires fixed to your teeth, which can cause tightening and wire pockets.
Additionally, metal braces can cause gum irritation, making it challenging to chew your food or speak properly. After fitting braces, you require more frequent visits. This allows the orthodontist to check for flaws and adjust them accordingly.
Clear aligners may be a better option than braces if you want comfort. These aligners' smooth plastic trays are custom-made to fit your teeth snuggly so that you may experience less gum irritation.
Patients can remove the aligners when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, simplifying oral hygiene and eliminating the need for food restrictions. However, the clear aligners' removable nature means patients must wear them for 20–22 hours daily. This ensures that discipline and consistency are essential for treatment effectiveness.
The Severity of Your Condition
You may need braces or clear aligners if you have conditions like:
- These are issues with how your teeth fit together when you bite or close your mouth.
- Teeth Crowding. It occurs when teeth are too close or overlap. Overcrowding results from a disproportionate tooth-to-jaw size. It can lead to dental complications like tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw joint damage.
- Teeth Spacing. This is when there are unusual gaps between your teeth. Teeth spacing can vary in severity. When you consult an orthodontist with this problem, they can recommend clear aligners or braces.
Whether braces or aligners are the best option for you will depend on the severity of your condition. Metal braces are the gold standard for orthodontic treatment. The braces are highly effective for treating a wide range of dental issues. They include severe misalignments, bite problems, and malocclusions.
Braces offer a high level of control over tooth movement. Your orthodontist can make precise adjustments to correct complex dental issues. As they depend less on patient compliance, younger patients often prefer braces. Additionally, patients with significant orthodontic needs may benefit from them.
Braces can handle most orthodontic conditions. From simple crowding to severe bite problems, braces can correct your flaws. This makes them suitable for patients of all ages and those with dental challenges.
Clear aligners are more desirable for minor flaws. This is because they are removable. With this feature, the orthodontist cannot monitor how fast they move your teeth. Some clear aligner systems are now more advanced, allowing them to offer solutions for moderate to complex cases. However, they are less effective than traditional braces for severe orthodontic problems.
Maintenance and Hygiene
You must maintain good oral hygiene even after receiving braces or clear aligners. This will help prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar. When you leave tartar and plaque on your teeth and gums, you can develop gum disease and tooth decay.
Braces are non-removable, which makes them challenging to clean. You must floss and brush them to remove the food particles within the brackets. Braces also increase your risk of dental complications. Complications associated with improper care of braces include tooth decay and gum disease.
If you seek an orthodontic solution that requires minimal maintenance, clear aligners can serve the purpose. The aligners are removable. This makes removing leftover food particles and cleaning the tooth surface easier. However, when cleaning the aligners, you must use the right products. This helps clean them and avoid staining or foul odor.
Your Age
Your age is a significant factor when choosing between aligners and braces. Aligners may seem appealing to children and teenagers but are not the best option for this age group. Clear aligners require high responsibility and proper maintenance for maximum effectiveness.
Unfortunately, young children and teenagers may not properly care for the aligners. This may reduce the procedure's effectiveness. When correcting teeth alignment using clear aligners, you must wear them for at least 22 hours daily. Adhering to this requirement may prove challenging for younger patients.
Braces remain attached to the teeth for the duration of meth treatment. Therefore, the orthodontist can monitor the progress. Thus, braces are a more applicable option for younger children and teenagers.
Your Budget
Undergoing an orthodontic procedure is a financially demanding venture. Sometimes, your dental insurance may cover the cost of your procedures. Therefore, the better option between braces and clear aligners will depend on your budget for the procedure.
Braces are an affordable way to correct your dental flaws. The cost of traditional braces varies depending on different factors. They include the severity of your dental complications and the condition of your teeth. On average, traditional braces can cost between $3,000 and $7,000. You may incur additional costs for things like retainers or follow-up appointments. If you need additional diagnostic tests before the fitting of braces, your procedure can cost more.
Clear aligners are aesthetically pleasing. However, they are costly to fit and maintain. The average cost is $3500-$8000. The high cost is because the aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth. Additionally, clear aligners may need constant replacements and refitting, which means additional costs.
Braces could serve you better than clear aligners if you want a cost-effective orthodontic procedure. Before you undergo any procedure, you must check with your dental insurance to determine whether they can cover it.
Before opting for a specific procedure, consult your dentist for expert guidance.
Existing Dental Works
The effectiveness of clear aligners depends on how well the aligners fit on your teeth. When the aligners are loose, they cannot correctly push or adjust your teeth to the desired positions. Clear aligners may not be your best option if you have existing dental works like bridges and bonding.
The orthodontist can manipulate the wires to fit each tooth when fitting traditional braces. An orthodontist can also recommend braces for individuals with additional dental procedures.
Lifestyle Considerations
After an orthodontic procedure, your orthodontist may recommend different lifestyle changes and restrictions. Therefore, the best treatment option is the one that aligns with your lifestyle.
Braces require serious changes to your diet. Since they are not removable, you must avoid sugary and sticky foods while wearing them. These foods can stick to the brackets and eventually cause tooth decay. Additionally, you must avoid hard foods to protect your brackets from damage.
Clear aligners are removable. This means you can take them off when eating or doing your regular hygiene practices. Therefore, there are no food restrictions with clear aligners. Aligners offer more convenience for individuals who enjoy various foods. When choosing the aligners, consider whether you can adhere to the requirements. They include regular dental checkups and are worn for up to 22 hours daily.
Duration of Treatment
Most individuals who seek orthodontic procedures consider the duration of treatment. The duration of treatment for braces can vary between 18 and 36 months depending on the following factors:
- The severity of dental issues. You may need to retain the braces longer if you have severe misalignment and teeth crowding. This is because the braces move your teeth gradually.
- Younger patients require less time. Their jaws are more flexible, and the teeth can quickly move to the desired positions.
- If you adhere to regular orthodontic appointments, your dentist can determine when your braces have issues. This makes it easier for the braces to correct your dental flaws.
Treatment using clear aligners takes a shorter time, often six to eighteen months. Factors that could impact the exact duration of treatment include your age, compliance, and follow-up care.
For adults or young adults, having braces for up to 36 months is inconvenient. Therefore, clear aligners can be the best option for short-term treatment.
Compliance and Treatment Responsibility
You must follow the recommended aftercare practices after an orthodontic treatment procedure. This helps protect your teeth from damage and improves the procedure's effectiveness. With braces, there are no complex maintenance practices needed after fitting the braces. Your orthodontist will recommend normal oral health care and hygiene. They include practices like:
- Regular brushing and flossing. After fitting your teeth with braces, your orthodontist will recommend that you brush and floss regularly. Additionally, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush. This helps avoid damaging the wires and rubber bands that bind the brackets to your teeth.
- Wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard protects the braces if you grind your teeth or engage in contact sports.
- Quit bad habits. Like other dental procedures, your dentist recommends quitting habits that can damage your teeth and braces. These habits include chewing ice, biting your nails, and using your teeth as tools.
However, for clear aligners, you may need more specialized care practices. This is to ensure their effectiveness and prevent further dental complications. Standard aftercare practices for clear aligners include:
- Proper cleaning. Unlike braces, your clear aligners need special cleaning. This involves soaking the aligners in warm water and cleaning them gently.
- Removing the aligners. You must remove your aligners when you eat or brush your teeth. You must place them on a soft surface during this time to avoid breakage or damage.
- You must wear your clear aligners consistently. Failure to do this could result in prolonged treatment or delayed results.
- You may need regular adjustments and refitting to ensure your clear aligners serve the intended purpose.
If you want to avoid the complicated maintenance and responsibilities, you can move forward with braces.
Find Expert Dental Services Near Me
Your orthodontist can recommend braces or clear aligners when you have orthodontic issues. Braces and aligners offer varying benefits for individuals struggling with crooked teeth, crowding, and bite problems. Braces are permanent metal wires that pull your teeth back to the desired positions. Clear aligners, on the other hand, are removable and can help restore your teeth's alignment.
The choice between clear aligners and braces is complicated. However, it will depend on your lifestyle, dental hygiene needs, and desired outlook. If you have mild misalignment, clear aligners will offer a simple and aesthetically pleasing solution for your problem. However, for more severe dental issues, you may need braces.
You must consult a reliable orthodontist for the best choice of orthodontic treatment. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we understand your desire for a beautiful smile. We offer our clients safe, affordable, and reliable dental services in Northridge, CA. Contact us at 818-701-3010 today to discuss your case.
