Braces or Clear Aligners?

Most of us are not born with perfect teeth alignment and smiles. In fact, it is incredibly rare that Sterling Dental Center sees patients who would not benefit from teeth alignment/adjustments. So, when most of us have imperfect teeth what can we do?

If it is not affecting anything within your mouth, you may choose to let your teeth stay where they are. However, if your alignment is affecting things or making you unhappy (at any age!) there are options for fixing it.

The two most common options today are braces or clear aligners, but which one is better for you? Let’s break down the differences.

Braces

Braces are the more traditional option when you think of teeth alignment. They have been around for decades and in fact, you may have had them when you were younger! Braces are typically stainless steel that are affixed to your teeth for the entire duration of your treatment. There are rubber bands that go on top of them that can be customized (choosing new colors each time can be really fun!).

With traditional braces they will always be seen, always be attached to your teeth and can even cause some minor discomfort when you initially get them or get them adjusted. If you don’t follow the food restrictions, you could also pop a wire which can cause discomfort as well.

It is very important to keep them clean, although we understand that it can be a challenge! You will need to make sure that you stay on top of flossing and brushing so that all food debris gets removed. There is an increased risk of cavities if food is not getting removed regularly.

The last thing to keep in mind with braces is that you will need to avoid foods that are hard and sticky or really chewy. Reduce your soda and carbonated drink intake while you have braces.

Clear Aligners

A newer option for teeth alignment is clear aligners. Clear aligners are essentially a plastic replica of your teeth - one for the bottom and one for the top. The aligners work by putting gentler pressure on the teeth, slowly repositioning them.

One of the biggest pros of clear aligners is that they are much less visible than traditional braces. They sit on top of your teeth and are not visible from a distance. They are also removable, which means that it is easier to eat and keep your teeth clean. However, you are supposed to wear them for most of the day (usually 22 hours) so you shouldn’t remove them for reasons other than eating meals or flossing and brushing.

One of the issues we see with clear aligners is that they get lost incredibly easily. Lots of teenagers have accidentally thrown them away in napkins after a meal - much like retainers. It is important to have a case for your aligners and keep it on you when you are going to be eating.

Just like traditional braces, there can be initial discomfort when you first start wearing a new tray of aligners. It should go away after a short adjustment period. In these cases, remember that it is important to keep the aligners in as tempting as it may be to take them out to get some relief.

While it is easier to actually clean your teeth with aligners because of the ability to take them out, it is still important to avoid drinking carbonated drinks when your aligners are in. Because of how the aligners sit on your teeth it is way too easy for sugar or acid to get under the aligners and affect your teeth. Make sure that your teeth are always clean before putting on the aligners.

As you can see, there are some differences between traditional braces and clear aligners. What works for one person may not work for another. There are people who prefer the permanent aspect of braces while others prefer the clear aspect of the aligners.

Call us at 703-433-0234 today to talk about different teeth alignment options and what is right for you!