So, you’ve visited your orthodontist and discovered that you will require orthodontic treatment to either meet your aesthetic goals or fix an orthodontic problem. What are your options? Will you require braces? Or can your orthodontic problem be solved using clear plastic aligners like Invisalign? In today’s blog we will be comparing two of the most common orthodontic options available, braces and clear plastic aligners and looking at the pros and cons of each type of orthodontic treatment so you can find the right option for you.
Braces
Braces are one of the most well-known orthodontic treatments, they involve attaching brackets directly to the teeth to forcibly reposition them. Braces are great for treating more complex orthodontic concerns that aligners just can’t handle. For many types of orthodontic treatment braces can also be a much faster method of treatment than aligners. Braces also offer more choice than aligners with several types of braces being available, these include options like traditional braces, lingual braces that are attached to the back of the teeth or braces where the brackets are made of clear ceramic rather than metal. Because braces are attached directly to the teeth they don’t depend as much on patient compliance as aligners do, which might be better for certain lifestyles.
There are some notable disadvantages to braces, their aesthetic issues are well known, with many patients feeling that braces negatively impact their appearance. Braces also make it more difficult to clean your teeth, often requiring instruction from your orthodontist to get them properly cleaned. They also come with dietary restrictions, if you have braces you will need to avoid certain foods, such as excessively sticky foods or foods like popcorn where hard bits can get stuck. You will also need to make regular appointments with your orthodontist for adjustments to your braces in order to ensure the treatment is progressing correctly.
Aligners
The big advantage of aligners is that they are clear and practically invisible when worn correctly, so there is no need to be concerned about how your treatment alters your appearance. There are also no dietary restrictions that come with aligners, you just remove them whenever you want to eat. It’s also easier to keep your teeth clean with aligners, you simply remove the aligner and brush and floss like normal. If the aligners are being worn correctly and changed when needed, you won’t need as many visits to your orthodontist as you would with braces. All orthodontic treatments come with a level of discomfort, that includes aligners, however because they are made of plastic and molded directly to your teeth there is often less discomfort and generally no risk of cuts or bruises when compared to braces.
The biggest disadvantage of aligners is that the range of orthodontic concerns that they can treat is more limited than those that can be treated by braces. Aligners also require a high degree of patient discipline as you are required to wear your aligners for upwards of 20 hours a day in order to see results. You need to remove your aligners every time you eat or drink, which can be a difficult prospect for regular snackers and those who like to leisurely sip on a drink throughout the day. You also need to brush your teeth after every meal, snack or drink in order to prevent food particles from getting stuck in your aligners which can present a greater cavity risk.
We hope we have been able to convey the advantages and disadvantages of both types of treatment and hope that it will help you narrow down what treatment is right for you. If you have any questions regarding orthodontic treatment and which treatment option is right for you feel free to contact our office.
The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.
If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.
