Misalignment can impact your oral health, increasing the risk of everything from tooth decay and gum disease to TMJ disorder and bruxism. However, addressing the issue with metal braces can make some teens and adults hesitant. Which option will work best correct your misalignment, clear aligners or braces? How do these two options differ?
Do You Need Clear Aligners or Braces?
- True or False: Braces address serious malocclusion.
- True or False: Clear aligners work for minor cases of misalignment.
- True or False: Clear Aligner Systems offers multiple advantages.
- True or False: Both teens and adults can benefit from clear aligners.
Answer Key
- True. If you have serious malocclusion, then we may refer you to an orthodontist. Braces involve placing metal brackets onto the front of the teeth and connecting them with an arch wire. The doctor will then periodically adjust the tension in the arch wire, repositioning the teeth over a treatment time of 18 months to 2 years on average.
- True. We recommend the Clear Aligner Systems system for people who have more minor cases of alignment. We will examine your teeth and jaw to see if clear braces are the best choice for improving alignment.
- True. First, the aligners are practically invisible when worn. In addition, being able to remove the aligners means you don’t need to change your diet and that brushing and flossing your teeth is easier. In addition, many patients find the clear aligners to be more comfortable than metal braces.
- True. Candidates for Clear Aligner Systems are typically over the age of 16. For teens, Clear Aligner Systems often includes a blue dot on the aligners that wears away if they are being worn properly. In addition, you may receive a certain number of replacement aligners in the event a set becomes lost.
