People often come to a fork in the road on the path to straightened teeth: braces or aligner therapy? Each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages, but you may be wondering if one orthodontic treatment is more effective than the other.
The answer? It really just depends.
In 2019, BMC Oral Health published a medical journal comparing the effectiveness of clear aligners and braces. Researchers discovered that clear aligners were better in moving sections of teeth in shorter lengths of time. However, braces are more effective at controlling the teeth, holding teeth in place, and bite force contacts.
Both treatments use proven technology with a long history of successful cases. The real question is not whether one is better than the other, but whether one suits your personal needs and lifestyle.
Clear Aligners
Aligner therapy is a popular alternative to metal braces. Clear aligners work like any other orthodontic device. They apply pressure on the teeth to gently move them and reshape the supporting jaw bone, but with trays instead of wires and brackets.
Advantages
- Most people choose clear aligners, like Invisalign®, because they are invisible. When patients clean them regularly and effectively, most people won’t notice that they have aligners on.
- No poky wires or scratchy brackets are needed for aligner therapy, so many people consider them more comfortable.
- Do you have a big speech, and you’re worried your orthodontic device may make you sound funny? Are you not ready to give up your favorite foods? Clear aligners are removable.
- Clear aligners are low maintenance. Because they can be removed, aligners and the teeth are easy to clean.
Disadvantages
- Although Invisalign has advanced quite a bit since its emergence in the 1990s, this technology is still limited and cannot correct overly complex alignment issues.
- Accidents happen. Clear aligners are easy to misplace or break because they are removable.
- If patients don’t wear clear aligners as prescribed, they will not work. People must remember to wear them with responsibility.
Braces
When most people think about braces, they imagine those made of brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Traditional metal braces have been straightening teeth for decades. Thankfully, contemporary braces are much smaller and more comfortable than before.
Advantages
- Traditional braces are best for complicated cases, such as rotated teeth.
- The wearer cannot remove fixed braces, so they cannot be lost.
- Because they cannot be removed, treatment time can be faster when compared to inconsistent aligner wearers.
- Braces encourage compliance because patients must visit their orthodontists monthly for check-ups and tightening.
- Braces are customizable, and patients can choose different colors to showcase their sense of style.
Disadvantages
- Metal braces are obvious.
- Braces aren’t removable, so patients must wear them at all times until treatment is over.
- If patients have a tight schedule, it may be difficult to visit their orthodontists every month.
- Patients must avoid some foods so that brackets don’t pop off.
- Sometimes, braces can make it harder to clean and floss teeth thoroughly.
Schedule an Appointment Today
No matter what path you choose, straighter teeth benefit wellness and may cause you to smile more. At Magic Smiles Dental Implant Centre, our dentists examine the teeth to help determine if aligner therapy is right for you.
Please schedule a consultation for clear aligner therapy in Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, NSW, by sending us a message online.
