Why People Prefer Clear Aligners Above Braces

Posted on: 22 October 2019

If your dental misalignment is not severe, you may be considering clear or invisible aligners to straighten your teeth. Here are a few reasons that people prefer clear aligning trays above conventional braces.

Transparency

Many people with braces feel self-conscious about the effect of the appliance on the appearance of their smile. Traditional braces are made of metal. Thus, they can be easily seen against the white tooth enamel.

Aligning trays are made of clear plastic, so the teeth appear as they would without the trays in place. In fact, many casual observers may not notice the aligners at all. Also, the transparent trays fit closely over the teeth like a customized mouth guard, making them even more difficult to discern in the mouth.

Removability

Braces remain affixed to the teeth throughout the course of treatment. Thus, patients must consume food and clean their teeth with the appliance in place. Many people with braces are embarrassed by food becoming caught in their teeth during meals and snacks. Additionally, brushing and flossing may be more difficult due to the wires and brackets of the braces.

With clear aligners, such as Invisalign, although the patient must wear the aligners for the majority of the day, they can remove the trays when needed. As long as the trays are not out of the mouth for more than a couple of hours, the treatment should progress according to schedule.

Rapid Treatment

An orthodontic correction with clear aligners can often be completed within 12 months. A number of aligning trays are used during the course of treatment. Each set of trays is worn for several weeks. After the prescribed period, the current set of trays is replaced by the next set in the designated treatment order.

At the end of the treatment, the dentist may prescribe a retainer to maintain the new alignment. Although a retainer may also be used following treatment with braces, an orthodontic correction with braces may require several years for completion.

No Orthodontic Adjustments

Braces require regular orthodontic adjustments to ensure that sufficient pressure is applied by the archwire throughout the treatment. With clear aligning trays, no adjustments are needed.

The aligners are formed from impressions of the patient's mouth, so they fit comfortably in the oral cavity. Additionally, to further the alignment correction, the patient simply moves to the next prescribed aligner set.

For more information about clear aligners, schedule a consultation with an orthodontist in your local area.

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Anyone who provides a service specifically for the youngest among us knows that treating kids must be approached very differently from treating adults. Children are not like adult patients. They require a dental team that makes children feel safe and secure at every appointment. The pediatric dental staff also needs to understand how to work with parents as well as young patients. As a pediatric dental hygienist and a mom, I understand that specific needs of children when they are visiting the dentist. This blog will explain exactly what kids need from a dental staff and will give options for making the dental office a welcoming environment to children. We can give a whole new generation healthy smiles by making pediatric dentistry the best it can be.