Are you thinking of improving your teeth? Maybe you couldn’t afford (or dreaded the thought of) traditional braces as a child and now you’re regretting that? Luckily modern dentistry has moved on from having a mouth full of chicken wire, and you’re now met with options to help straighten your teeth.
But what is the difference between clear aligners and invisible braces? Read on to find out and see what suits you best.
What are invisible braces?
Traditional braces are made up of individually glued metal brackets onto the surface of each tooth, which held together by a wire. An orthodontist will tighten and fix the brackets every six weeks so your teeth gradually align into the desired position. Their main drawback is that they are notoriously uncomfortable and a permanent fixture for usually two years and require special care and maintenance.
Invisible braces offer a discreet alternative to metal fixed braces. There are three main options.
Ceramic braces are very similar to traditional braces, with the main difference being that there is less metal visible. Transparent brackets are held by wiring, so it is not entire invisible, but are still more discreet than traditional braces. It will still suffer from the drawbacks of traditional braces such as the accidental spitting and full feeling in the mouth.
Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth, hiding all the metal inside the mouth, and pulling, rather than pushing your teeth into place.
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are another alternative to the traditional braces. They’re an invisible retainer that lines your teeth. Considered the most discreet and most popular they offer a straight smile that’s white rather than silver. Foregoing the metal entirely, a clear sheet of flexible plastic steadily lines up your teeth.
They are removable so they are easier to maintain since you can take them out to eat, drink and sleep and you can clean them in the sink.
They can come in nighttime or general wear. For a minimum of eight to ten hours a night the night only clear aligners will work to straighten your teeth into a perfect smile. They offer all the benefits of a regular retainer only required to be worn while you sleep. This means no interrupting your daily routine.
An at-home kit can be sent to you to make an impression of your teeth without even leaving the house. After that a specialized team of experts will create a customized invisible aligners treatment plan for you and you will receive it in the post. You can wear your invisible retainer throughout the day for four to six months or at night for six to eight months.
Google clear aligners to find more information and if they would be a good fit for you. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to a straighter smile and therefore a wider smile.
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