If you want to straighten your smile, your dentist can offer you several orthodontic options. The most common way to straighten teeth was to wear traditional metal braces in the past. Although traditional wire braces are still used, many dentists offer invisible braces as a discrete option for teeth straightening.
Explore the differences between invisible braces vs metal braces and why invisible braces may provide a better teeth-straightening experience.
What Are Traditional Metal Braces?
Traditional metal braces are teeth straightening dental appliances that use wires and brackets to move your teeth into alignment. Traditional braces work by affixing a metal or ceramic bracket to the front of your teeth. A wire is pulled through these brackets, connecting your teeth. Over the course of several months, your dentist tightens the wire, which pulls your teeth into the desired position.
Traditional metal braces help correct dental problems such as gapped teeth, crooked teeth, bite alignment, rotated teeth, or uneven teeth. They take a significant amount of time to straighten teeth. The complete timeline is typically around 18 to 24 months.
What Are Invisible Braces?
Invisible braces are a series of removable, custom-fitted trays that straighten your teeth over time.
Clear aligners are less invasive than traditional metal braces and are easily removable. Invisalign, a type of invisible braces offered by Available Dental Care, is made of a flexible thermoplastic that is more gentle on your teeth and gums than wire or ceramic braces. They work over the course of about 12 to 18 months on average, but this depends on the complexity of the issue they are correcting.
If worn for 22 hours per day, invisible braces like Invisalign works to correct the following mild to moderate dental issues:
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
Invisible Braces vs Metal Braces: Which is Best for You?
When choosing between invisible braces vs metal braces to straighten your smile, it is helpful to compare different aspects of each treatment such as procedure, materials, time of treatment, and cost.
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Procedure
Your dentist must first prepare your teeth before fitting traditional braces. This can involve dental procedures like tooth extraction and wearing a jaw expander. When your teeth are ready, your dentist affixes the bracket to your teeth with bonding glue and pulls the wires through. They may also add other components like elastics, spacers, or orthodontic bands, depending on the complexity of your malocclusions.
You’ll need to visit your dentist every 4 to 6 weeks to have your wires adjusted.
Clear aligners are a less invasive treatment procedure. With clear aligners from Available Dental Care, your dentist performs a 3D scan of your mouth. This information is sent to an off-site lab which creates a series of custom aligner trays.
You must wear the aligners at least 22 hours per day, switching to a new tray every 1 to 2 weeks as prescribed by your dentist. You only need to return to the dentist every 6 to 8 weeks to ensure that your teeth are responding to your invisible braces.
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Materials
Metal braces are made of metal alloys that can cut into your gums, cheeks, and lips, especially when you first begin wearing them. In addition, the wires used to tighten your braces often prevent you from eating certain foods and make it challenging to clean your teeth properly.
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Time
Both invisible braces and metal braces take several months to work. This is because each method works to shift the alignment of your teeth with subtle, continual pressure. Generally, wire braces take longer than clear aligners to shift your teeth.
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Cost
In general, traditional braces cost less than invisible braces upfront. Metal braces are the most affordable option, followed by ceramic or clear braces. Even though metal braces may be less costly than other options, they do not offer the same benefits.
Invisible braces are typically more expensive than metal braces, but they are less invasive and offer a more pleasing aesthetic. Invisible braces are also removable, so you don’t have to modify your diet or adjust your oral hygiene routine.
Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation
The best way to decide between invisible braces vs metal braces is to speak with your dentist. During your orthodontic consultation, your dentist examines your teeth and discusses teeth straightening options that work for your specific oral concerns.
Contact Available Dental Care on (02) 4062 8763 or book online to schedule your orthodontic appointment today.
References
Dental braces and retainers
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-braces-and-retainers
Treatment comparison chart
https://www.invisalign.com/how-invisalign-works/comparison-chart
What to know about Invisalign and its effectiveness
https://www.healthline.com/health/does-invisalign-work
Invisalign frequently asked questions (FAQ)
https://www.invisalign.com/frequently-asked-questions