When it comes to wearing braces, especially in adulthood, a lot of people prefer to have an option that isn’t so visually obvious. This makes the usage of clear braces and invisible aligners very popular, although many people interchange the two in their minds and don’t know the difference.
Oviedo orthodontist Dr. Ajay Kapadia, who offers both to patients, remarks that there are some important things to consider before choosing which best suits a particular case. This goes beyond preference and delves into the condition of one’s teeth.
Getting Things Clear
Clear braces are a variation of ceramic braces, which also come tooth-colored to better blend into the mouth either way. They have the same functions as the traditional variations with metallic wiring and brackets but have slightly larger brackets. The popular Clear Correct provides the colorless variations that don’t interfere with any imaging tests a patient might have done (as opposed to the metal ones).
Invisible aligners, popularly known as Invisalign after the brand that carries the popular version, are made of plastic and can move teeth and help jaw alignment by the applied pressure they put on teeth when worn. These are also removable, though they often need to be worn for the majority of the day for them to function with the desired change effectively.
Determining which of the two to get would depend on the diagnosis of the orthodontist, as both can serve similar functions depending on usage.
To brace or align?
While both were created to move teeth to a specific positioning, each has its pros and cons.
Invisalign is a good option for those who want something removable but still want to repair crooked teeth and misaligned bites. It is, however, a little less durable than clear braces that are heavy-duty. Clear braces are often the choice for complicated cases, and they also move teeth faster than invisible aligners.
Both options are great for adults, especially those in lines of work that may require certain aesthetic standards that don’t leave a lot of room for wearing obvious or even colored braces.
Although invisible aligners have a few more restrictions with what you can eat and drink while they are worn, the difference is you can work around these when you remove them. Whereas with braces, you simply have to adjust for the entire duration of you having it attached to your teeth.
Aligners also provide a little more invisibility because braces still have rubber bands and slightly visible wire sections. A patient can still choose the color of these, however, and placement can add to them being more invisible options.
Of course, it should be noted that with all their pros and cons, the orthodontist can accurately tell which would be a better option depending on what each patient needs. Sometimes, one is simply better for certain requirements, ranging from lifestyle habits to the actual problem that needs to be addressed. Reach out to a good doctor, and they can help you determine the best course of treatment for you.