Are Clear Aligners Better Than Braces?

Have you been considering straightening your teeth? Due to advancements in the dental industry, patients have several orthodontic options these days. Traditional braces and clear aligners both have their pros and cons, but deciding which option is better ultimately depends on the patient’s dental needs. Clear aligners may not be a good fit for everybody. Read on to learn how we rate braces and clear aligners on the comfort, noticeability, and treatment scales.

Comfort & Interference with Daily Routine

Braces

Traditional braces are permanent for the duration of the treatment since the brackets are bonded to the front of a person’s teeth, which makes daily oral hygiene a bit more complicated. However, many patients find that an electric toothbrush, floss threaders, or a water flosser will make hygiene less cumbersome. In addition to oral hygiene adjustments, the metal wires and brackets have the potential to cause mouth discomfort and irritation. Patients will also need to avoid things that could damage the brackets, such as chewing gum and ice, eating hard and sticky candy, and biting into corn on the cob and apples.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are to be removed when eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing and flossing your teeth. Chewing gum is still to be avoided, but dental hygiene will be the same as without orthodontics, plus cleaning of your aligners. For many patients, clear aligners are very comfortable and minimally interrupt their regular activities.

Noticeability

Braces

Many people find braces to be perpetually physically perceptible (try saying that three times fast) and annoyingly conspicuous cosmetically. If you enjoy expressing yourself with the colored elastic bands around the braces’ brackets and don’t find them unsightly, you might not mind how conventional braces alter your appearance. There are also ceramic braces available that blend in a bit better with the natural color of your teeth.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are virtually invisible! If you are putting off orthodontic treatment because you don’t like the way that braces look, clear aligners might be for you.

Treatment Time

Braces

Although treatment time for both braces and clear aligners completely depends on a patient’s dental needs, braces are to be worn continuously for an average of 1-3 years. As for follow up visits, you’ll need to get your braces adjusted every 4-6 weeks.

Clear Aligners

On the other hand, clear aligners are to be worn 20-22 hours a day for an average of 1 year. Clear aligners need to be changed out every 1-2 weeks. However, clear aligners cannot treat as many dental issues as braces can. You may not be a candidate for clear aligners if you have extremely complicated bite issues, require bridgework, or need to move your teeth vertically.

A Straighter Smile Is Within Your Reach!

If you are ready to have a straighter smile, schedule a consultation at True Dental to see if clear aligner therapy is right for you. Contact us today.

Contact Us