Are Clear Aligners Better Than Braces?
The advancement of dental technology in recent years has fueled the discovery of new and improved teeth straightening techniques. In addition to the traditional teeth straightening techniques such as braces, new types of braces such as clear aligners or Invisalign have gained popularity.
As a result, the dental experts at Dr. Amy James and Associates Orthodontists, namely Amy James, DMD, MS. has noticed an increase in patients asking if clear aligners are better than braces.
Are Clear Aligners Better Than Braces?
There is no one-word answer to whether clear aligners are better than braces since both dental straightening procedures have their pros and cons. Since each patient is unique, only medical professionals can effectively assess if dental aligners are better than braces for you by keeping certain factors in mind.
While you wait for your appointment, you can take into account a few factors to get an idea of whether clear aligners or braces are the better options for you.
Clear Aligners Vs. Braces
Metal braces are traditional methods for teeth straightening. During the braces installation procedure, brackets are bonded to the teeth, and dental specialists insert wires through the bracket openings.
The wires are firmly attached to the brackets using tiny elastic bands. These wires apply a consistent, moderate force to the teeth, which with time, start to work by straightening your teeth. Aligners are removable and transparent trays that are custom-made to fit individual teeth. Both inserting and removing the clear aligners are the patient’s responsibility.
Dental health professionals usually recommend metal braces to people who might have severely crooked teeth. Moreover, doctors recommend braces to children and teens since the chances of children and teens removing clear aligners due to discomfort or losing them are high.
In contrast, clear aligners are recommended for adults with slightly crooked teeth who want to maintain a professional look. Since clear aligners are invisible, adults can easily wear them to work, which can help them maintain a professional appearance and feel confident.
One benefit of receiving clear aligners rather than other types of braces is that since they are removable, people who may have aligners can remove them without difficulty when eating. Clear aligners will allow you to eat any food without worrying about the aligners getting damaged. However, a person with braces might not be able to eat all types of meals since the braces are non-removable and may break if one consumes specific foods that may be difficult to chew.
Clear aligners also allow individuals to take better care of their dental hygiene. With braces, it might be difficult to reach certain areas of the teeth, which may result in tartar buildup with time and require professional dental cleanings. Since clear aligners are removable, you can easily remove them, clean them, and brush and floss your teeth properly.
If you have slightly crooked teeth and want to maintain a professional look, clear aligners might be your ideal teeth straightening method. However, if you or your child has severely crooked teeth, metal braces are ideal for achieving aligned teeth.
If you want to explore both options, you can get in touch with the dental health professionals at (856) 216-8009 to determine which teeth straightening method is the best for you.
