Clear aligners have increased in popularity in recent years due to the fact that they effectively fix crooked teeth and are more discreet than traditional braces. However, most orthodontic patients do not know which treatment option will straighten their teeth faster, which is why we decided to compare the two.
Clear aligners and traditional braces serve the same function — straightening the teeth. The biggest difference between the two is that traditional braces can also fix serious dental problems like bite problems, while clear aligners are more effective in treating less severe dental issues.
Traditional braces straighten the teeth using brackets that are bonded to the surface of the teeth and held in place by metal wires, which help to gradually move the teeth over time. In the past, the brackets used were bigger but the brackets used these days are significantly smaller.
These type of braces allow people to straighten their teeth discretely because they are made from a clear plastic material that makes them difficult to notice. Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are not fastened to the teeth which means patients can remove them when they want to eat or brush their teeth. Orthodontists will give their patients a tray of clear aligners to use for two weeks before discarding and using the next aligner in the tray. The process is repeated every two weeks until all the aligners have been used, which means the treatment is complete.
Thought traditional braces may not be a popular option among older adults, there are some advantages to them.
Traditional braces are usually the most cost-effective way to straighten the teeth.
Metal braces cannot be easily removed, which means the receives treatment 24 hours a day.
Metal braces provide treatment for complex cases, and dentists have had more success straightening teeth with them.
Traditional braces are widely available and easy to access.
Traditional braces do also pose some disadvantages.
Traditional braces can be difficult to clean if a person does not have the right tools because food particles get stuck in the brackets and are hard to remove with a regular toothbrush.
Straightening teeth discreetly is not an option with traditional braces because the brackets and wires are visible when a patient smiles or opens their mouth.
Clear aligners do allow some advantages, especially for older patients looking to fix their teeth.
Clear aligners allow orthodontic patients more freedom to eat and drink whatever they like because they can remove them before they start eating. It also makes it easier to brush the teeth.
Clear aligners are not noticeable, allowing patients to straighten their teeth discreetly.
Cleaning clear aligners are easy because all a patient has to do is remove the aligners from their mouth and clean it instead of trying to navigate wires and brackets.
At the same time, clear aligners do pose some disadvantages that patients should consider beforehand.
The fact that they are removable makes them easy to lose, costing the patient money to replace.
Clear aligners are not as effective in treating dental severe problems.
When it comes to teeth straightening, traditional braces achieve the desired result faster because they are fastened to the teeth and cannot be removed, which means they are straightening the teeth at all times. Clear aligners do not work as fast because patients have to remove them to eat and brush their teeth every day, which slows down the straightening process.
Clear aligners and traditional braces are both effective treatment options when it comes to straightening your teeth. If you want to get the job done quickly, however, traditional braces are more effective. Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to find out more about both treatment options and which one is right for you.
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