A plethora of people living in Richmond, Indiana, suffer from misalignment of teeth and are looking for the best treatment. They often get confused between traditional braces and clear aligners. Orthodontic treatment has evolved significantly over the years, giving patients quite a few options to straighten their teeth. But each alternative has its own set of pros and cons. Richmond family dentistry does proper assessment and determines the right treatment that caters to the specific needs.
Let us take a look at the differences between Clear aligners and traditional braces.
- Aesthetic Appeal
Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are famous for their aesthetic appeal because they are made of transparent material that is virtually invisible to others, making them an excellent option for those who are conscious of their appearance. Traditional braces are more apparent because of metal wires and brackets.
- Comfort
Clear aligners are way more comfortable because they are custom-made to fit snugly. In contrast, braces, particularly the metal ones, tend to irritate the gums and cheeks because of the components.
- Effectiveness and Versatility
Effectiveness and versatility are areas where traditional braces shine because they can address numerous problems that are relatively more severe, such as severe crowding, significant misalignment, or bite issues. Braces possess significantly better control over tooth movement, making them much more appropriate for most orthodontic problems. Clear aligners, on the other hand, are not suitable for complex or severe orthodontic problems.
- Maintenance and Oral hygiene
Clear aligners are easy to maintain because they can be easily removed when needed, such as before having a meal, brushing, and flossing. Removability allows for better oral hygiene, minimizing the risk of cavities and gum disease, which can arise with braces. Traditional braces are fixed onto the teeth, which makes it an obstruction while following the oral care routine.
- Cost
Clear aligners utilize modern technology to create custom-made aligners for you, which makes them a costly option as compared to traditional braces. Still, as such, clear aligners are becoming more mainstream, and with the increase in competition, the cost is going down.
- Duration
The duration of the treatment relies on the severity of the problem. Clear aligners generally have less treatment duration as they are used to treat mild or moderate orthodontic issues, which reduces the duration and increases effectiveness if followed as prescribed. Traditional braces are often used to treat more severe problems, which take relatively more time to treat.
Importance of a dentist in orthodontic treatment
The treatment that has to be followed depends on the severity and kind of problem that the patient is facing. A dentist performs a proper examination of the condition and, based on that, recommends and executes the best treatment that caters to the patient’s particular needs.
