Braces VS Clear Aligners: Which Is Better?
When you’re looking into the world of orthodontics, you may notice that in recent years, there have been some enormous progressions, and your options have drastically increased. Not only are there several different types of braces now, but there are also clear aligners, which work something like a retainer, and offer different pros and cons to the ones generally offered by most standard braces. Which is better will depend to a degree on how much work your mouth needs, and what you value VS what you would dislike, but for some people, clear aligners provide a great alternative which allows them to skirt some of the most annoying things about braces.
As a starting place, you could try searching for ‘dentists near me.’ Woodbridge, for example, has plenty of different dental surgeries, and many will be able to offer you advice and help in getting the right orthodontic treatment plan for your individual case. Remember to ask them about the different kinds of orthodontics they supply, to ensure they offer the sort you want.
Some of the most standard annoyances of braces have been sidestepped by clear aligners. They are readily removable, so instead of having to avoid hard or sticky foods (e.g. nuts, candy), you can just remove the aligners to eat and drink, and return them to your mouth afterwards. Obviously this, compared with the potential for breaking the wire of your braces or getting something stuck in them, is highly appealing.
Added to this is the ease of cleaning your teeth; people with braces have to take particular care to brush their teeth and ensure that every part of their mouth is getting cleaned. While oral hygiene is still essential for someone with clear aligners, it’s more of the standard routine for teeth-cleaning without braces; you take the aligners out, and then brush your teeth.
The aesthetic appeal of clear aligners is also obvious; gone is all ugly metalwork, wiring, etc., and instead you have an invisible tray which does the same job. This tray is likely to be more comfortable, reducing the chance of you catching your lip or tongue on the metal brackets, and you aren’t going to be cutting your mouth if the wires break – because there aren’t any!
Of course, there are some cons. Clear aligners can take longer to work than standard braces, and may not be suitable for complicated or major realignment. They are generally more expensive, and can be easily misplaced or lost, especially since they’re transparent. Added to this, because you take them out, you have to practice self-discipline in making sure you wear them regularly, and don’t keep forgetting to put them back in.
Clear aligners have some pretty big advantages over traditional braces, so it’s worth considering them as an option, although if you need major work done, your dentist might advise against them as the most effective method of treatment. You also have to know that you will make the effort to wear them, but if you think you can do this, they may prove the perfect option for you.
