There are numerous benefits to orthodontic treatment. Healthy, straight teeth make it easier to brush, chew, and even speak. Having a smile you are proud of also boosts your self-esteem and confidence. Orthodontic treatment can reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities, as well as mitigate the risk of grinding, chipping, and dental emergencies. It can also improve your quality of life, but it is crucial to determine whether clear aligners vs braces are more suitable for your lifestyle and oral health. 

The best way to find out is to book a consultation at our practice to discuss whether clear aligners vs braces are the right orthodontic system for your smile goals. 

Clear Aligners vs Braces: Weighing Your Options  

If you are weighing your options, you may need to consider several important factors, including: 

Comfort

Conventional braces use brackets that are cemented to the front surface of your teeth for the duration of your treatment. The brackets and wires can cause abrasions and sores on the soft tissues of your mouth. Orthodontic wax can alleviate the discomfort, but you may have this experience each time you have an adjustment.  

Clear aligners are custom-fitted to your smile, and the course of treatment is plotted from the beginning using high-precision, 3D printing technology, so it is easier to limit discomfort. You may still experience some pressure each time you progress to the next set of aligners. However, the BPA-free thermoplastic aligners are thin and smooth and resemble a mouthguard, so you won’t have any wires or brackets.   

In comparison, Invisalign appointments are only necessary every six to eight weeks as you change to the next set of trays yourself. You can expect most Invisalign check-ups to take around 10 minutes since you don’t need any wire adjustments. This can be extended if you require additional treatments during the appointment, such as professional cleaning. 

Not only is the fitting process more straight-forward, but clear aligners are also easier to maintain. The removable nature of these aligners makes them easy to clean and allows you to continue eating the kinds of food you love without having to omit foods that would be troublesome for traditional braces like gum and hard or crunchy fruits and vegetables.  

Cosmetics

Traditional braces have a distinct appearance and are easy to spot, even from afar. These kinds of braces are constructed from metal, rubber bands, and elastic hooks. It’s also possible to select specific colours for your elastic ligature band, although this doesn’t make them less noticeable.

With clear aligners, you have a discreet option for dental transformation. The thin thermoplastic construction is ideal for those who don’t want to stand out and enjoy an understated look. 

Clear aligners offer a simple way to achieve your dream smile without letting the world know. With Invisalign, you can expect to see results in a matter of weeks. Traditional braces take significantly longer for the first noticeable changes.

Compliance 

Compliance is key to achieving your desired results, so it’s essential to consider which teeth-straightening method will be the easiest for you to maintain. 

Because clear aligners are easy to wear, it’s often easier to be compliant with the protocol. However, as they can be removed, patients may forget to place the trays back after cleaning. Clear aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours daily to be effective. 

Traditional braces come with disadvantages that may not suit everyone, but compliance is simple once they’re fitted. You don’t have to think about them once they’re on; you’ll just need to be disciplined enough to keep all your dental appointments and spend additional time cleaning and flossing around each bracket. 

Clear Aligners vs Braces: Making The Choice

After weighing up your options, it’s easy to see why Invisalign offers an attractive way to improve the appearance of your smile and achieve impressive teeth-straightening results. This approach eliminates many of the disadvantages which accompany traditional braces.

While both methods of teeth straightening will achieve results, Invisalign is best for people with mild to moderate tooth misalignment who don’t want to make their braces the focus of every conversation.

You can begin your journey to a better smile today. Call Dental Spot on (02) 9158 6115 to set up an appointment with one of our friendly, experienced dentists.