Your Whitecourt Invisalign® Provider
Do you have to decide between braces and clear aligners? In this blog, our Whitecourt dentists share some facts about these treatments you should take into consideration.
Deciding Between Braces & Clear Aligners
It can be tough to choose between clear aligners such as Invisalign and traditional braces. Today, we are here to help you decide between these options, so you can make the best possible choice for you.
Clear Aligners
Transparent clear aligners such as Invisalign are custom-made to fit your smile. These removable orthodontic appliances are constructed from clear plastic material. They forgo the brackets and wires that accompany braces and are therefore lower profile in appearance.
You will get an individually customized treatment plan to help you achieve your smile goals. Generally, patients spend less time at the dentist's office when they are undergoing this treatment because clear aligners generally don't need adjustments as braces do. However, your dentist will book quick checkup appointments with you approximately every 4 to 6 weeks, so they can review the progress of your treatment and general oral health. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any question you have and for your dentist to adjust your treatment as required.
Depending on your specific treatment plan, they may be in line with the cost of braces or slightly more expensive. A casual observer will be hard-pressed to see them on your teeth, and you won't have any restrictions on the food and drinks you can enjoy.
However, clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours each day and removed while drinking and eating anything except water. Commitment to treatment, self-discipline, and scheduling meals to fit within the 2 hours allotted for mealtimes every day.
Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional braces are the most common kind 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 situations like this, clear braces might be a good alternative.
Clear Braces
Lots of people opt for clear braces because they can blend in better with their smiles. Technically, they aren't transparent, but the brackets are made from tooth-coloured ceramic.
Clear braces come with a caveat: while they 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.
On average they also cost a bit more, so they are often only used on the upper front (most visible) teeth to save on costs.
Remember that your gums might feel sensitive with these because they are larger ceramic brackets that may make it a bit more tricky to clean around the brackets, leading to receding or swollen gums if your toothbrush doesn't reach the gum line and enamel.