Decades ago, orthodontic treatment was relatively limited in terms of approaches we could take with our patients. In the present, several great choices are available, and Icon Orthodontics is going to step in and help you answer this vital question: Should I get clear aligners or braces?
Two Excellent Approaches
We will delve deeper into these options, but here are the most basic descriptions of both traditional braces and clear aligners:
- Damon Metal Braces consist of several components that gradually straighten teeth through regular adjustments by Dr. Sun, Dr. Sarpotdar, and our team. Brackets can be made of either metal or ceramic.
- Clear aligners are worn as a series of trays that progressively shift your teeth into place as we plan. Each set of aligners is slightly adjusted from the previous one to make this progress.
Making Comparisons
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and working closely with our team and our doctors will help you make the best possible decision for you. We will evaluate various factors related to your specific condition and treatment goals. Here are some key comparisons between traditional braces and clear aligners that we may discuss and assess during your initial appointments:
- Comfort:
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- Clear Aligners: Since these custom-made plastic trays fit snugly over your teeth and have super smooth edges, they reduce the likelihood of gum and cheek irritation.
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- Braces: Traditional braces may cause discomfort and irritate the mouth’s soft tissues in the early stages of treatment as you get used to their presence in your mouth. For this reason, you might experience some soreness after adjustments or from wires and brackets rubbing against the cheeks or lips. But this should definitely not prevent you from pursuing this treatment option.
- Treatment Duration:
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- Clear Aligners: The duration of clear aligner treatment varies quite a bit, based on case complexity and how well you comply with the plan, but it usually ranges from 12 to 18 months.
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- Braces: Treatment duration with braces also can be dramatically different from person to person, typically spanning anywhere from 18 months to 3 years, all dependent upon the severity of your orthodontic issues.
- Maintenance:
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- Clear Aligners: Clear aligners are removable, which means you have easy access to clean both the aligners and teeth. You’ll be able to maintain regular brushing and flossing routines without any additional obstruction.
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- Braces: Caring for fixed braces requires the use of certain tools like interdental brushes, floss threaders, and water flossers for complete cleaning. Food particles can also accumulate around wires and brackets if they aren’t maintained properly, which could lead to increased plaque buildup and tooth decay risk.
- Effectiveness:
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- Clear Aligners: Clear aligners are generally selected for treating mild to moderate orthodontic issues like crooked teeth, gaps, and some minor bite problems. They might not be an adequate choice for more severe cases.
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- Braces: Braces can usually address a more varied range of orthodontic conditions, such as complex misalignment, overcrowding, overbites, crossbites, and underbites. They can help with the teeth as well as the jaw. Adjustable components provide us with highly precise control over tooth movement, making them ideal for advanced treatment.
- Dietary Restrictions:
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- Clear Aligners: Since these trays are removable, patients can eat most foods without issue. However, we do advise minimizing sugar intake for oral health.
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- Braces: Likewise, patients with braces need to avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could cause damage to wires and brackets.
- Aesthetics:
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- Clear Aligners: A lot of our adult and teenage patients particularly appreciate the nearly invisible feature of clear aligners. If you prefer a less noticeable treatment option, this option definitely has that benefit.
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- Braces: Traditional metal braces will be more noticeable to the naked eye due to the use of metals and occasionally colored elastic bands.
- Adjustments:
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- Clear Aligners: This treatment involves changing to a new, slightly different set of aligners every one to two weeks, gradually shifting your teeth. We still require visits to Icon Orthodontics for adjustments and monitoring, but no further manual adjustments are usually needed.
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- Braces: Our team must make adjustments in the office every four to six weeks. These can include tightening or replacing wires and making any other minor adjustments to your components. The patient cannot execute any of these at home.
We also like to remind our patients that Lightforce Custom Braces can serve as a compromise between these two distinct options. They have the components of traditional braces, but their brackets effectively blend in with your teeth, providing an aesthetic advantage to some.
Thinking it Through
All of these options offer distinct advantages, and whatever you choose, we are committed to helping you achieve your perfect smile. We hope this blog has provided some useful information if you’re considering future treatment options. Our dedicated teams in our Surprise and Glendale offices are eager to assist you.
We look forward to seeing you soon!