Posted on September 16, 2022
Who doesn’t want a beautiful smile? When it comes to improving your smile, there are a variety of treatment options available to you. Today, many people are opting for clear aligners over traditional braces; however, nearly four million Americans wear braces according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Trying to choose between clear aligners and traditional braces can be difficult. While your best choice is to visit an orthodontist for specific advice on your treatment needs, the information below can help you decide which treatment option could be the best fit for you.
Clear aligners are great for people in the public eye. These transparent aligners are virtually invisible. As far as comfort is concerned, clear aligners fit over your teeth and don’t have wires or brackets that can cause discomfort inside of your mouth. The aligners are made of flexible plastic and are easily removable. This allows you to eat and drink as you normally would.
With clear aligners, you don’t need to worry about chewing hard foods like popcorn, bagels, etc. Simply take out the aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Plus, aligners require fewer trips to the orthodontist. While there are many advantages to clear aligners, there are also disadvantages, including:
• You must remove them before eating and drinking anything other than water.
• They are not suitable for complex orthodontic corrections.
• You need to wear them for a minimum of 22 hours per day.
• You must brush your teeth and rinse your aligners after each meal.
Braces are usually made of metal or ceramic brackets and thin wires connected with colored ligatures. They are made to be worn for a long period of time and must be removed and adjusted by an orthodontist. Since traditional braces have been used for decades, there are many options available to you. You can choose less-noticeable ceramic braces or lingual braces, for example. The best part is that you don’t have to remove them, so they can’t get lost. The drawbacks of traditional braces include:
• More frequent orthodontist visits are required.
• Food restrictions.
• Possibility of stains on teeth.
• Possible discomfort due to the brackets and wires.
• Appearance.
Some people prefer clear aligners because they offer a more natural-looking smile, while others prefer braces because they can’t be lost or easily damaged. The type of braces you choose will depend on your preferences and the advice given to you by your orthodontist. If you’re ready to align your teeth into a beautiful smile, reach out to Johnson Orthodontics today.