Having straight teeth is more connected to your overall oral health than you may think. While teeth straightening techniques fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry, they also play a role in keeping your teeth healthy.
Very few patients are born with naturally straight teeth. The vast majority of the world is full of smiles that need some level of correction to keep them functioning properly. When it comes to teeth straightening, there are a couple of popular and well-known options available.
At Weinberg Dentistry, we’re pleased to be able to offer patients the option for straight teeth through Invisalign clear aligners. Traditional braces have been around for years. While they are tried and trusted, we are excited to be able to offer the benefits of Invisalign aligners to patients who might not be interested in traditional braces.
What Are Traditional Braces?
When you use traditional braces, a metal bracket is attached to each tooth and metal wires are attached to those brackets. The wires are all shaped slightly straighter than your existing teeth. Over time, they will gradually move your teeth until they too are as straight as the wire holding them in place.
After the straightening process is finished, the metal brackets will be removed and your teeth and bite will be straighter and better aligned than before.
Traditional Braces Pros and Cons
Benefits of Traditional Braces: Traditional braces have been used and studied for much longer than Invisalign clear aligners. This gives them a credibility built upon years of positive results. They are known to get results.
Traditional braces methods can also be customized to fix any crooked teeth problems you may have. This includes even the complicated and twisted teeth that may need specialized care. This style of braces can be adjusted to work around whatever problem you may have with your teeth—unlike Invisalign aligners which can only fix a certain range of orthodontic problems.
Disadvantages of Traditional Braces: Though effective, metal braces are physically rather unappealing and can be quite painful outside of the straightening process. The metal from the brackets and the wires can chafe against the soft tissues of the mouth, leaving them raw and sore.
Braces also come with dietary restrictions. Certain types of food can get trapped within the brackets and wires and potentially even break them, causing your straightening to be put off by weeks at a time. It’s also difficult to properly clean teeth when they’re covered by brackets and wires.
What Are Invisalign Clear Braces?
Invisalign clear aligners are designed to do the same thing as traditional braces, just without the metal wires and brackets cemented to your teeth. The Invisalign system uses a series of retainer-like clear aligners to do the same orthodontic work you need. They fit over top of your teeth and are designed to shift and move your teeth similarly to traditional braces.
Invisalign Clear Aligners Pros and Cons
Benefits of Invisalign Aligners: Invisalign clear aligners come with all sorts of benefits, including their invisible nature. You won’t notice someone is wearing Invisalign aligners as they subtly get the straightening job done with their unobtrusive close-fitting aligners.
It is easier to clean and maintain your oral health with this form of straightening because you can remove your clear braces anytime you need to brush and floss your teeth. You also won’t be limited by what you can and can’t eat. Invisalign clear braces can and should be removed for every meal and then properly put back on.
Disadvantages of Invisalign Aligners: The biggest downside of this treatment is that it may not work for all smiles. Invisalign aligners can help with underbites, overbites, crossbites, and many other dental situations; however, we can only do so much with aligners. Sometimes putting a bracket directly on the tooth to turn it into the right position is the only method that will work.
Other downsides to this type of straightening treatment involve higher levels of responsibility. With traditional braces, you don’t have to remember or be strict about keeping your straightening devices on because they are always on! Invisalign clear aligners won’t be able to do their job if you aren’t diligent about wearing them.
Discover How Invisalign Clear Aligners Can Transform Your Smile
For any questions or concerns about Invisalign clear aligners, get in touch with our office today. Schedule an appointment to see if Invisalign clear braces are the right form of straightening treatment for your smile.
