Braces or Invisalign
Orthodontic treatments primarily address tooth and jaw alignment to improve function and aesthetics. These treatments can correct conditions including crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, gaps between teeth, and overcrowding. Beyond cosmetic improvements, orthodontic care enhances oral health by making teeth easier to clean and reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Proper tooth alignment can alleviate jaw stress, improve speech, and create a more balanced bite, ultimately promoting long-term dental and overall health. Here’s information on traditional braces and more modern clear aligner systems for correcting alignment concerns:
How Do Clear Aligners Correct Dental Issues?
Clear aligner systems like Invisalign and ClearCorrect offer an alternative to braces for dental correction. These aligners are custom-made, transparent trays that fit over the teeth, providing a less noticeable approach to treatment. Clear aligners are a series of custom-fitted, removable plastic trays designed to incrementally shift teeth into a desired position. Each set of aligners is worn for a specified period, typically one to two weeks, before progressing to the next set in the series. The aligners apply gentle, controlled pressure to specific teeth, and this gradual force is what facilitates movement over time.
Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners are not permanently affixed to the teeth. You can remove them for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, making oral hygiene maintenance easier. The trays are fabricated from a smooth, clear plastic material, making them discreet and generally more comfortable than the metal brackets and wires associated with braces. While being removable, clear aligners must be worn for the recommended 20-22 hours per day to be effective.
How Do Braces Correct Dental Issues?
Traditional braces function by using a system of brackets and wires to move teeth. An orthodontist bonds small brackets to the front surface of each tooth and then threads a thin metal wire, known as an archwire, through them. The archwire applies continuous pressure to the teeth, guiding them into proper alignment. Throughout treatment, the orthodontist will make periodic adjustments to the wires to maintain this pressure and direct the teeth’s movement. Because the components are fixed in place, braces continuously correct dental misalignments and cannot be removed until treatment is complete.
What Can These Systems Correct?
Clear aligners are often used to address mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. These usually include crooked or crowded teeth, where there is insufficient space for all teeth to fit properly. Aligners can also be effective for treating minor spacing issues or gaps between teeth. Braces are typically recommended over clear aligners when complex orthodontic issues need to be addressed. These may include significant malocclusions, severe crowding, excessive spacing, or cases that require complex tooth movements, such as tooth rotation or correction of jaw alignment discrepancies.
Braces may be more suitable for younger patients, like children and teens, who may lack the discipline to consistently wear removable aligners. Traditional braces also offer greater control for an orthodontist. While clear aligners are a popular alternative for their aesthetic and convenience factors, braces remain the preferred choice for comprehensive and intricate orthodontic treatments. Clear aligners can address certain bite irregularities, including:
- Overbite: Where the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth.
- Underbite: Where the lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth.
- Crossbite: Where upper and lower teeth do not come together correctly. Crossbites may also be treatable with clear aligners, depending on the complexity of the case.
More severe or complex orthodontic issues might require other treatment methods.
Learn More About Braces and Invisalign
Choosing an orthodontic treatment is a significant decision that depends on your dental needs and lifestyle factors. Braces and clear aligners are designed to achieve a properly aligned smile, but they use different mechanisms. To determine which option best suits your goals, contact an orthodontist for a consultation.
