Should I Get Braces or Clear Aligners?

Traditional braces have been straightening teeth for many years, and they’re still a popular and effective treatment. But long gone are the days when metallic hardware was the only option available. 

Today, you can choose from an array of orthodontic appliance systems, including:

• Traditional metal braces
• Clear plastic braces
• Tooth-colored ceramic braces
• Colored braces
• Lingual braces that adhere to the backside of your teeth
• Self-ligating braces that don’t need elastic bands
• Clear aligners

The choices can be overwhelming, which is why our team of experts at LM Orthodontics in McLean, Virginia, has compiled this brief guide to help you compare your options at a glance and decide which is best for you. 

How to choose between braces and clear aligners

Although you can choose from multiple orthodontic treatment systems, they all generally fall into two broad categories: braces and aligners. When it comes to straightening your teeth and correcting your bite, your personal preference plays a big role, but our orthodontic experts may guide your decision based on the types of corrections necessary. 

After your consultation with our team and a full exam, we let you know which treatment options will address your specific alignment issues so you can make a choice that will be both effective and suitable for your lifestyle.

Braces

With traditional braces, we adhere metal, plastic, or ceramic brackets to the surface of your teeth. Strong metal wires attach to the brackets to generate constant pressure and move your teeth toward the alignment goal. Rubber bands help align your jaw and guide your bite.

The pros of braces

Braces are a time-honored, proven treatment that have been effectively straightening teeth for many years with the following advantages:

• Treatment: Braces can treat virtually all misalignment problems, even those that aligners can’t.
• Options: Traditional braces are metal, but today, you can choose tooth-colored ceramic, clear plastic, or colors.
• Use: Braces attach to your teeth, so there’s no worrying about forgetting to wear them or losing them.

The cons of braces

Even though braces are efficient and effective, they come with a few issues that may dissuade you.

• Aesthetics: Metal braces are big attention-getters, and the clear and ceramic versions, while less obtrusive, are still visible.
• Hygiene: It’s tricky to clean your teeth well while wearing braces.
• Eating: You have to avoid sticky, crunchy, and sugary foods for the duration of your treatment.
• Comfort: The brackets and wires can irritate your soft tissues.
• Adjustments: Braces require regular visits for adjustments.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners straighten teeth using a completely different approach than braces. Rather than attaching brackets to your teeth and creating tension with wires, clear aligners are plastic trays that snap over your teeth and gradually guide them into their new positions with progressive trays every two weeks. At LM Orthodontics, we offer two of the leading brands: 3M Clarity Aligners® and Invisalign®. 

The pros of clear aligners

Clear aligners have revolutionized the field of orthodontics. Here are a few of the reasons they’re so popular:

• Aesthetics: Clear aligners are form-fitted to your teeth and go virtually unnoticed.
• Eating: You can pop them out, eat whatever you want, and pop them back in.
• Hygiene: To brush and floss, you simply remove the aligners.
• Comfort: Clear aligners have no rough or sharp edges to irritate your mouth.
• Adjustments: You receive all your progressive trays up front, so you don’t need to schedule as many appointments.

The cons of clear aligners

If it seems like clear aligners are far superior to braces, take a look at a few of their shortcomings.

• Treatment: Unlike braces, clear aligners aren’t suitable for all cases, especially complex problems.
• Use: Because clear aligners are removable, they can easily be forgotten or lost.
• Removal: Clear aligners must be removed when you eat or drink (except water), which may be awkward in public or social settings.
• Compliance: Clear aligners must be worn at least 20-22 hours a day total; less than that will diminish your results.

Which is right for you?

Braces and clear aligners can both solve a wide range of mild-to-moderate problems, including overcrowding, overbite, and underbite, but braces are better for more severe issues. Clear aligners are perfect for you if you have a relatively minor misalignment problem, and you’re willing and able to commit to keeping them in place.

For children and young teens, braces may be a better option because they require less responsibility, but many of our young patients are more compliant than their adult counterparts, so base your decision on the unique personality and characteristics of your child.

To find out which orthodontic treatment we recommend for your teeth, schedule an appointment at LM Orthodontics today by calling or booking online.