You may often find yourself at a crossroads when you want to choose how to start your teeth alignment – invisible braces or metal braces (also known as dental braces).
Traditional orthodontic braces were the go-to teeth alignment preference until a few years ago, but that is not the case anymore. Today there are more discreet and inconspicuous options such as aligners in the market.
These work equally well and give the same result, in fact, quicker and more painlessly. Let us understand the best option for teeth alignment – braces or transparent teeth braces.
What are Invisible Braces?
Invisible braces or aligners are transparent, customized and removable plastic trays made to fit your teeth.
These mouthpieces gradually shift the positioning of your teeth to align them with your jaw best to achieve the ideal desired position.
The Clear Braces treatment encompasses a set of multiple invisible braces that you receive every two weeks.
This is because the old set of Invisible Braces has already worked its magic and moved your teeth one step closer to the desired position.
Since your teeth are continually being corrected using these invisible braces, what fits you perfectly today, will not be effective two weeks from now.
Invisible braces go by many names, such as aligners, clear braces, invisible aligners, transparent braces, transparent teeth braces, precise dental braces and more. These terms are used interchangeably when describing aligners.
What are Metal Braces?
Metal braces are the initial orthodontic treatment to align misaligned teeth and close the gaps.
Unlike clear braces, metal braces use metal brackets, archwire and tiny elastic bands to hold everything in place. Post both teeth straightening treatments; you will require retainers.
Advantages of Invisible Braces
Invisible braces have several advantages associated with them.
1. They are Transparent
The first and most apparent advantage of invisible braces is that they are transparent. This ensures that the person wearing it remains confidential and does not need to worry about things protruding from his mouth.
2. More Freedom
You can eat what you want, play a sport of your choice and do other such activities as you can remove your invisible braces at your convenience.
Though it is recommended to be worn 20-22 hours a day, taking them off now and then to bite into that juicy burger or play football won’t harm anyone.
3. They are Comfortable and Painless
The clear braces are made with flexible and smooth material making them easier on your teeth.
Invisible braces do not have any wires or brackets associated with them, preventing discomfort. You require a day or two to adjust to them.
4. Aligners require fewer dental visits
Aligner treatment can be carried on with remote monitoring offsetting the need to visit a clinic for physical follow-ups.
Orthodontists can virtually track the treatment progress and suggest the next steps. Through progress intimations and clear aligners’ home delivery, the treatment takes place from the comfort of the patient’s home.
5. Maintaining proper dental hygiene
Since clear aligners are removable, you can thoroughly clean your teeth, gums, and other dental parts.
The aligners themselves can be removed and washed separately. There is no tension about understanding how to manoeuvre your toothbrush around delicate brackets and wires.
Disadvantages of Metal Braces:
Metallic braces are a recommended treatment for severely misaligned teeth and at times the orthodontist may recommend this form of treatment.
However, metallic teeth braces do have their own set of disadvantages:
1. Longer treatment time
Metallic braces require at least one to two years to completely align and correct the teeth.
2. Metallic braces are painful and cause oral abrasion
Braces tend to pull and tug at your teeth; at times they get stuck in the skin surrounding the painful jaw area.
Metal braces make your mouth more prone to abrasion as the wires can poke loose and the brackets can break.
3. Flossing Challenges
Flossing your teeth becomes challenging when you wear braces. This is because your teeth are covered in brackets and wire making it difficult.
At times people get frustrated and stop flossing which leads to a host of new tooth decay issues.
4. High chances of teeth discolouration
Since a part of your tooth is covered for an extended period under a bracket, when the braces are removed there is a high risk of your teeth being discoloured. This mismatch in the teeth is quite undesirable.
Conclusion
Looking at the advantages and upsides of Invisible braces (aligners) they seem like a clear winner.
Right from certainty and timelines to comfort and convenience, they are winners when weighed against traditional metal braces on numerous parameters.
However, at times in case of the severity of misalignment or any other prevalent dental issue, aligners may not be the right choice for you.
The orthodontist will consider the patient requirements and limitations of each treatment type before devising the final treatment plan.
To achieve satisfactory results, the dentist may advise either clear braces or conventional orthodontic braces to achieve suitable results.
