Clear Aligners Or Metal Braces? Here's How To Choose
Jan 01, 2022
While crooked or improperly spaced teeth don’t mean you’re unhealthy, they can significantly affect your smile and self-confidence. Fortunately, orthodontic procedures such as braces and clear aligners give you a solution to a straighter and gorgeous smile.
Once, there was only one solution for crooked or misaligned teeth – metal braces. Traditional braces consist of metal wires and brackets attached to the teeth to move them to the desired position. While braces are effective, the visible nature of the wires and brackets is usually a turn-off to many people. Similarly, braces aren’t removable, making oral functions such as chewing, brushing, and flossing challenging.
There’s a better, more convenient, and secretive way to straighten your smile thanks to cosmetic dentistry advancement. Clear aligners are a new technique that uses clear or invisible plastic to reposition crooked and improperly gapped teeth. The merits of clear aligners go beyond a straighter and natural-looking smile. Unlike braces, clear aligners can be removed or readjusted with ease. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and effectiveness of clear aligners. Contact us for clear aligners near you.
Benefits of clear aligners
Some of the merits of choosing clear aligners include:
- Straighter and gorgeous smile
The key reason for seeking orthodontic treatments is to enhance your smile. Clear aligners adjust your teeth gradually, eventually giving you a straighter and natural-looking smile. You have to wear a new pair of aligners every two weeks or so. After the treatment, a retainer can be necessary to maintain the results.
- Invisible or clear treatment
One of the key benefits of choosing clear braces over traditional braces is that the treatment is invisible. The treatment allows you to straighten your teeth without people noticing you’re doing so. Unlike braces which mainly consist of metal wires and brackets, clear aligners are made from clear or colorless plastic, making them virtually invisible to notice. Clear aligners are a popular choice for patients insecure about traditional braces, thanks to their invisible nature.
- No diet restrictions
With traditional braces, your orthodontist might give you some diet restrictions. For instance, chewing hard foods can cause the braces to slip out of position, which requires you to visit your dentist to re-adjust them. On the contrary, clear aligners are easily removable. You should remove them when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing. You don’t have to worry about food participles getting stuck or damaging the aligners if you remove them. You can eat whatever you want. Just take caution to avoid harmful and staining foods and drinks to maintain a bright and healthy smile.
- Improved oral hygiene and health
Crooked and improperly gapped teeth can hurt your oral and overall health. For instance, foods particles can easily get trapped, increasing the risk of cavities, decay, and gum disease. Similarly, teeth that grind over each other can result in jaw pain and enamel damage.
With braces, you have to brush and floss around brackets and wires, which might not be effective. Since clear aligners are removable, brushing and flossing are made easier. You will improve your oral health and protect your mouth against future dental problems. Similarly, good oral health is essential for your overall well-being.
- Fast treatment
Compared to other straightening treatments, results from clear aligners are quick. Most treatments last for about 6 to 1 year, or longer depending on the severity of the condition. For effective and timely treatment, follow your dentist’s instructions. For instance, clear aligners such as Invisalign should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day.
- Clear aligners are custom-made.
With the clear aligner’s treatment, everyone’s treatment plan is customized based on their needs and condition. The dentist takes images and impressions of your mouth to create a comfortable treatment plan. These images minimize the risk of discomfort and irritation during the treatment.
Effectiveness of clear aligners
The effectiveness of clear aligners may depend on several factors, including:
- Patient’s compliance – When using clear aligners such as Invisalign, you should wear the aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day. Not doing so could reduce the effectiveness of the treatment or delay the results.
- The complexity of your condition – While clear aligners are a better alternative to traditional braces, they may not be practical for complex teeth misalignments.
- Age – According to research, a patient’s age can affect tooth movements.
When used for the right conditions and in the right way, clear aligners are highly effective. For more information on the effectiveness of clear aligners, contact our prosthodontist in NW, Calgary.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you looking for clear aligners in NW, Calgary? Contact Northwest Prosthodontics for more information.