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Wondering about the difference between clear aligners and braces? Our North Vancouver dentists offer some factors to think about, including cosmetic considerations.
Choosing Between Clear Aligners & Braces
If you're considering orthodontic treatment, you have two main options: clear aligners or braces. Here are some facts to consider about each option while you think about which one to choose to help you achieve a straight smile.
Clear Aligners
Transparent clear aligners such as Invisalign are custom-made to fit your smile. Clear aligners are removable, don't have any brackets or wires, and are more discreet than traditional braces. They also have the benefit of being able to eat and drink whatever you'd like!
When you get orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, 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, clear aligners may be around the same cost or slightly more expensive than traditional braces.
Clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours each day and removed while drinking and eating anything except water. This means you need to be committed to your treatment in order to see the results you want.
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
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 when it comes to appearance, they are actually more brittle and larger in size than the traditional 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 more sensitive, 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.