Your Coquitlam Invisalign® Provider
Don't know whether to go with clear aligners or traditional braces? Our Coquitlam dentists suggest some things to consider, such as cosmetic concerns.
Choosing Between Clear Aligners & Braces
Braces vs. clear aligners like Invisalign: it's a toss-up! Fortunately, we can assist you. While deciding which option to choose to help you achieve a straight smile, consider the following facts about each one.
Clear Aligners
Invisalign clear aligners are transparent clear aligners that are custom-made to fit your smile. The clear plastic material used to make these removable orthodontic appliances. They don't have the brackets and wires that come with braces, so they have a lower profile.
You'll get a treatment plan that's tailored to you and will help you achieve your smile goals. Because clear aligners do not require regular adjustments like braces, you will spend less time in your dentist's office during treatment. You may not need as many checkups or appointments. Every 4 to 6 weeks, your dentist will schedule a brief appointment with you to review your progress and general oral health, answer questions, and adjust treatment as needed.
They may be comparable to the cost of braces or slightly more expensive, depending on your specific treatment plan. You won't be able to see them on your teeth to an untrained eye, and you won't be limited in what you can eat or drink.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, must be worn for 22 hours per day and removed when drinking or eating anything other than water. Commitment to treatment, self-discipline, and meal planning to fit within the daily mealtime limit of 2 hours.
Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Braces of this type are the most common. Metal braces, which are entirely made of metal and are held in place by elastics, have undergone numerous improvements in recent decades as orthodontic technology has advanced.
Braces gradually shift your teeth into their new, corrected positions by applying constant pressure to them over time. The bone changes shape to accommodate the new positions of the teeth as this pressure is applied and the teeth move.
Today's brackets are more streamlined than those of the past. Brackets have gotten smaller and more comfortable, so you'll have less of a chance of them irritating the inside of your cheeks or lips. However, because of their appearance, some people are still hesitant to use metal braces.
In this case, clear braces may be a viable alternative.
Clear Braces
Many patients choose clear braces as they are better able to blend in with their smile. They are not transparent; the brackets are constructed from tooth-coloured ceramic.
While clear braces appear to be a cross between metal braces and clear aligners in terms of appearance, they are more brittle and larger than the traditional metal braces you've seen.
They are also more expensive. As a result, they are commonly used only on the upper front teeth (those that are the most visible) to save money.
Keep in mind that the larger ceramic brackets can make cleaning around the brackets more difficult, leading to receding or swollen gums if your toothbrush does not reach the gum line and enamel.