The Clear Advantage: Traditional Braces vs. Clear Aligners
Many children and adults wish to realign their teeth for a variety of reasons. When it comes to aligning teeth with orthodontics, patients have a couple different options.
How Are Clear Aligners and Metal Braces Similar?
Clear aligners and traditional braces serve the same purpose and work in similar ways to straighten teeth, fill in spaces and correct bite and alignment. Both methods apply steady pressure to teeth, slowly shifting each tooth into proper alignment.
What Are the Differences?
The differences between the two orthodontic options are vast. For most patients, the primary difference is appearance. Clear aligners are see-through plastic trays, which fit snugly and discreetly. Traditional braces, on the other hand, are made from very visible stainless steel brackets. The difference in materials also makes clear aligners more comfortable than traditional braces, which have sharp wires and brackets that often irritate soft tissues inside the mouth.
In addition to their winning appearance and comfortable fit, clear aligners also make oral hygiene while realigning teeth easier. Since the trays simply pop onto teeth, they can be easily removed at mealtimes and for brushing and flossing. The ability to remove trays is most often viewed as a benefit to clear aligners. The ability, however, does have its drawbacks, as this often means some individuals do not always adhere to their schedule, leaving trays out when they should be worn.
Choosing Clear Correct with Dr. Christopher J. Fotinos
Although clear aligners seem like the obvious choice, metal braces might still be the best option for you. We encourage all patients to discuss their teeth alignment goals with our dentist before making a final decision between traditional braces and clear aligners. If you think clear aligners are the right choice for you, our dentist will take x-rays, impressions and measurements to order your personalized set of ClearCorrect alignment trays.
Each patient and their goals are different. Depending on your measurements and goals, ClearCorrect will develop a complete alignment plan with a series of clear trays. Over the course of treatment, patients wear each tray for about two weeks before moving on to the next tray in the program. As a result, correction schedules might require more or less time to achieve and maintain your desired results. Most patients, however, can expect to achieve their desired smiles in as little as two years or less.
