It is okay to be apprehensive about seeking orthodontic treatment because of the pain and discomfort it may cause. Many people hesitate when it comes to wearing traditional braces. Advancements in dentistry and in particular, orthodontics have vastly changed the way things are done. Now more people, particularly adults, are opting for new orthodontic treatments as compared to the past.
Whether your teeth are naturally misaligned or you have suffered an improper dental restoration, you can always get a confident smile with braces or clear aligner treatment. To help you choose the right orthodontic treatment for you, we have compared clear aligners and traditional braces.
What is Clear Aligner Treatment?
An advanced orthodontic treatment, clear aligners are a teeth-aligning process that uses invisible braces consisting of plastic aligners to shift patient’s teeth to correct the misaligned teeth. This effective treatment offers the following options to solve common orthodontic issues:
- Overbite, underbite, and crossbites
- Gapped teeth
- Misaligned (crowded) teeth
There is no age restriction for clear aligner treatment except a good oral health of the patient. He/she should not have any gum disease. It is generally best to treat the patient when all teeth have sufficiently erupted making clear aligners unsuitable for most young children.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are comparatively an old orthodontic treatment. The dentist attaches metal or clear ceramic braces to your teeth and adjusts them periodically. You cannot remove them and they sometimes hinder your routine tasks such as speaking and eating.
Clear Aligners Vs Traditional Braces- Which one is BETTER?
There isn’t much difference in both the treatments when it comes to comparing the orthodontic principles applied to correct misaligned teeth. Clear aligners, like traditional braces, apply pressure on the targeted areas of your teeth. However, several other significant factors make clear aligners different from traditional braces.
- Clear aligners use removable trays that allow you easy flossing and brushing. Whereas, traditional braces are more like barriers to normal oral hygiene because you cannot remove them.
- You can conveniently continue eating your meals with clear aligners, as you have an option to discreetly remove them. On the contrary, traditional braces hinder your eating ability
- With clear aligners, you can confidently socialize, attend meetings and hang out with friends without having to worry about your looks. On the other hand, traditional braces might make you feel diffident.
- Clear aligners are an irritation-free orthodontic treatment and cause minimal adjustment discomfort.
- Speaking with clear aligners is normal (with a very brief adjustment period in very few cases).
- Clear aligners can treat most common malocclusions but cannot treat every case. Some cases are too complex and may require fixed braces or a combination of fixed appliances plus clear aligners.
Why Does A Patient Prefer Clear Aligners?
Many people prefer clear aligners because of the comfort they offer in performing day-to-day tasks. Patients using clear aligners have to wear them for 22 hours/day for successful progress in their treatment. They can normally brush their teeth, without any tricky maneuvering, which is common with traditional braces.
Once braces period is over, dentists give a retainer to prevent teeth shifting in the original position.
Bottom Line
Overall, clear aligners are an easy way to get your confident smile back. They are clear, cause little or no discomfort and allow you to continue your daily tasks. Thus, they are definitely better than traditional braces. Call JC Dental today (973-627-2121) to see if clear aligners are right for you.
