Braces vs. Clear Aligners: How to know which one is best for you?
Can Everyone Correct Their Smile with Clear Aligners, such as Invisalign, or Are Braces a Better Option?
Visiting an Orthodontist to explore options takes the mystery out of wondering which one is right for you.
Learn about what factors go into determining which is best for a patient.
If braces are recommended, clear braces placed on the top front teeth are less noticeable than metal braces. Clear Damon braces shown here.
What factors are considered when determining the need for braces or aligners?
Orthodontists look at alignment (how straight or crooked teeth are) as well as bite (how the top and bottom teeth fit together) to determine the best technique for moving teeth into an ideal position.
Braces are usually the method of choice for teeth that have significant crowding and for significant overbites, underbites and deep bites. Treatment that requires the wearing of orthodontic elastics are more effective with braces compared to aligners.
Clear aligners can be a good option for closing small spaces or straightening teeth with mild crowding.
What is the difference between Clear Aligners and Clear Orthodontic Retainers?
Clear aligners look similar to clear retainers but are active.
Each clear aligner, also called a tray, is designed for a specific tooth movement, whereas orthodontic retainers hold teeth, that are no longer moving, in their current position.
How do clear aligners, such as Invisalign, Spark or Conceal work?
The first step in creating aligners is taking a three-dimensional digital scan of the patient’s entire mouth. The Orthodontist corrects teeth virtually before moving them in the mouth, using a specialized software program.
The digital movement images are used to create 3D models, on which the aligners are created by the dental lab.
Clear aligners are organized and worn in sequential order. Patients begin wearing aligner #1 for 10 days-2 weeks before replacing it with the next aligner.
In order to be effective, clear aligners must be worn 20-22 out of 24 hours per day, only removed for meals and brushing. The next aligner in the sequence will not fit if the prior aligner was not worn for enough time.
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, Spark or Conceal, are discreet and removable.
Clear aligners are changed every 10 days - 2 weeks and are organized and worn in sequential order until treatment is complete.
What are the Pros and Cons of Wearing Clear Aligners Compared to Braces?
PRO: Orthodontic aligners are clear and more discreet than braces.
CON: Orthodontic aligners must be worn 20-22 hours per day. You can drink water with them in but they must be removed for other food and beverages. Whereas, braces are attached to teeth so drinking and eating occurs with them in place.
PRO: Orthodontic aligners are removable, making it easier to brush and floss and eating without the food restrictions of braces. Brushing and flossing with braces takes additional time and has food restrictions, such as no hard or sticky foods.
CON: Since Orthodontic aligners are removable, there is a risk of losing them which costs money to replace and extends treatment time since they cannot be worn until the aligner is replaced. Since braces are attached to teeth, they are more predictable resulting in less variables that affect total treatment time.
PRO: Aligners are good at closing small spaces and correcting minor tooth alignment issues.
CON: Aligners cannot correct certain alignment and bite issues. Braces can correct most alignment and bite issues.
PRO: Aligners can feel more comfortable than wearing braces. Braces can take longer to get used to.
It is sometimes necessary to place bonded attachments to teeth to give clear aligners more control over tooth movement.
Wearing Clear Aligners during your Smile Journey
Your Orthodontist will give you multiple aligners at the initial visit with appointments scheduled every 10 or so weeks for progress checks and to issue the next sequence of aligners, if more are to be worn.
It is sometimes necessary to place bonded attachments to teeth to give clear aligners more control over tooth movement. These are placed at the initial visit and removed when active treatment is complete.
When all tooth movement is complete, a final removable retainer or permanent retainer is worn.