Clear Aligners vs. Brackets & Wires: Which Is Better?
Many of our patients ask about options for straightening their teeth. They’ve heard about clear braces but aren’t sure if they could stick to the treatment plan, perhaps. Or they’ve had braces before and don’t want to go through that same treatment experience again. In most cases, patients want to know which is better, clear aligners or braces.
The Pros & The Cons
Clear aligners and traditional braces are both excellent choices for patients who want to straighten their teeth. In fact, they produce similar results in roughly the same amount of time, give or take a month or two. We can’t say definitively that one option is better than the other. It all depends on the patient’s needs, goals, desires, and lifestyle.
To help patients understand the differences, we’ve devised a list of potential pros and cons to each treatment option.
Clear Aligners — Pros:
- Virtually invisible, with very little aesthetic impact
- Removable for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing, as well as special occasions, like photos or important meetings
- No food restrictions
- Easy oral hygiene
- Comfortable, fitting snuggly over teeth
Clear Aligners — Cons:
- May not work well for complex cases
- Must be worn 22 hours a day, and the patient is responsible for changing aligners every 14 days, requiring a high level of compliance
- Easily misplaced, lost, accidentally thrown away, or damaged
- May require a larger investment
Traditional Braces — Pros:
- Effective in all cases, even the most complex
- More predictable results and treatment timeline because the dentist/orthodontist has a higher degree of control
- Potentially shorter treatment times for complex cases and severe bite problems
- Usually better for teens and busy patients who may have trouble complying with treatment
Traditional Braces — Cons:
- Very noticeable, with a significant aesthetic impact
- Brackets and wires can irritate the insides of lips and cheeks
- Certain foods can damage or dislodge brackets and break wires, requiring patients to be very mindful of what they eat
- More complicated oral hygiene routine, as brackets and wires require special attention
- Frequent appointments for adjustments and check-ups
Which One Will You Choose?
If you are thinking about straightening your teeth, you may like the idea of clear aligners because they are less noticeable, removable, and don’t require you to change your oral hygiene routine. If you have mild to moderate crowding or a slight overbite or underbite, clear aligners might work very well for you.
However, if you think about your lifestyle and the likelihood that you can consistently wear clear aligners for 22 hours a day and reliably change them out every 14 days, you may instead opt for conventional braces, which are more hands off. Likewise, if you’ve been considering traditional braces, you may be more drawn to clear aligners because you can continue to eat whatever you like without having to worry about damaging hardware or treatment setbacks. The decision is yours to make, and we can help!
Contact our office located in Monroe, WI to schedule a consultation, and we’ll help you choose the option that best fits your needs. No matter which one you select, clear aligners or traditional braces, we will gladly help you along your journey to a straight smile! Call our office today to schedule your appointment. We can’t wait to see you again!
