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Clear Aligners vs. Braces – What's Right for Your Smile?
At Clayton Orthodontics, we're proud to offer a range of braces and clear aligner options for patients looking to straighten their teeth and correct jaw issues. But which option would suit you best?
The answer to this question comes down your orthodontic needs, your personality, and your daily routines.
Both braces and clear aligners are highly effective orthodontic treatment options; neither is fundamentally better than the other and each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
During your consultation, Dr. Roth will work with you to determine the best option to help you with your orthodontic issues. Read through the information below to find out how braces and clear aligners can help you.
Flexible In-House Payment Plans
At Clayton Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to improving your smile. To help patients manage the cost of orthodontic treatment, we offer zero-interest payment plans and low down payment options.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are designed to straighten teeth over a period of time by applying gentle, consistent pressure to them.
After your initial consultation and scan, clear aligner treatment consists of a series of custom-made trays.
Each aligner is an important step toward achieving your end goal for your smile. You will wear your clear aligners for about two weeks before switching them out for the next set.
Virtually Invisible
Clear aligners are almost invisible when worn because they are made of a lightweight, transparent material. For those who dislike how traditional braces look, clear aligners are a great option.
Traditional braces have a distinctive look that not all of our patients want. While we do offer both translucent and LightForce™ braces as more subtle options, we find that clear aligners are popular among those looking for discreet orthodontic treatment options.
Convenient & Removable
Another benefit of clear aligners is the convenience of being removable. Patients with braces sometimes find it difficult to brush and floss around them, but with clear aligners, you simply remove them and continue with your oral hygiene routine as usual.
Since clear aligners are designed to be removed for brushing and flossing, they can also be removed during mealtimes, meaning there are no dietary restrictions associated with their use. Feel free to eat what you want, just take your aligners out first!
Comfortable
No matter whether you choose braces or clear aligners, you should expect to experience some discomfort at certain points of your orthodontic treatment as your teeth move into their new positions.
That said, the smooth construction of clear aligners means you won't experience the discomfort caused by metal wires and brackets rubbing or scratching the soft tissues of your mouth. This can help make treatment with clear aligners more comfortable.
Clear Aligners & Braces in Halifax
At Clayton Orthodontics, we offer treatment with traditional braces for all ages and clear aligners for adults and teens. Dr. Roth will help you choose which treatment option is right for you.
Benefits of Braces
Traditional braces use brackets, wires and elastic bands to gently shift and straighten teeth over time.
But today's braces aren't the clunky, uncomfortable, face-full-of-metal that you might be picturing from decades ago. They're more streamlined and comfortable than ever before.
Versatility
Braces can be used to resolve almost any misalignment, no matter how complex. This is because they are able to apply stronger, more consistent pressure to teeth than clear aligners.
When teeth need to be rotated, lengthened, or made more parallel in extraction cases, braces are often the best option.
Efficiency & Cost Effectiveness
Because braces can apply such great force to teeth, treatment may take less time with them than with clear aligners.
Additionally, the more complex the orthodontic case, the more sets of clear aligners that will be needed to complete treatment, meaning braces can be a more cost effective choice.
Ease of Compliance
While it may seem on the surface that clear aligners have a lot of lifestyle benefits, it's important to consider how likely you are to wear them as prescribed. If you think there's a chance you will give yourself more 'breaks' than you should, or you may forget to put them in, then clear aligners may not be the best fit for you.
Because braces are adhered to the teeth and cannot be removed, they keep you honest, and ensure you get through your treatment as you should.