The distinctive appearance comes with self-confidence; both are necessary to achieve success. Unfortunately, for some individuals, presence and confidence can get negatively impacted due to the need to wear metal braces. Thanks to advancements in dentistry, these days, there are several unobtrusive alternatives to braces. Aligners happen to be one of them. Let’s take a look at multiple points to understand their benefits.
What are the factors that affect the tooth’s position?
Incorrect eating habits, environmental factors as well as heredity reasons can result in crowded, crooked teeth, and malocclusion. Factors like tooth extraction, accident, or thumb sucking habit during childhood can also lead to the same dental issues.
What is the best way to straighten teeth? What’s an Invisalign?
When it comes to orthodontic treatment or teeth correction options, ceramic braces, lingual, clear aligners, and metal braces happen to be the most popular choices to be used during the ‘active corrective stage’ of the treatment.
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Metal brackets
Metal braces or brackets do not need much of an introduction. Considered as the most suited and cost-effective option, teens and kids don’t seem to have any issues with the same. Brackets are connected with thin wires that are adjusted during various phases of the treatment to correct the teeth position and bite. Surprisingly, this happens to be the best option for complicated orthodontic problems.
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Ceramic
The ceramic alternative consists of tooth-colored brackets that are lesser noticeable compared to the metal option. Ceramic brackets are preferred by teens and adults who wish to avoid metal but get the same treatment results. Ceramic brackets remain vulnerable to stains and are expensive than metal braces.
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Lingual
Often referred to as ‘inside’ braces, lingual brackets are connected to the surfaces behind the teeth instead of the front. They work just like other braces but can impact the patient’s speech and eating for a few days. Adjusting them is difficult during the treatment, and patients often feel uncomfortable. Thus, it is not recommended unless too necessary by dentists.
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Invisalign aligners
What are aligners for teeth? Simply put aligners are orthodontic devices used as a part of treatment to straighten teeth. They are used as a substitute to unsightly metal braces and offer the same benefits without discomfort and hassle associated with the metal. The number of aligners required for the therapy differs from one case to the other.
Clear aligners or Invisalign are slowly becoming popular as they are almost invisible and can be removed before eating, brushing teeth. The product from Align Technology has earned an excellent reputation as an alternative to fixed braces due to the level of comfort offered. It is much more hygienic compared to other options and is recommended to the patients in case of underbite, overbite, severe malocclusion, protruding teeth, and crooked teeth.
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Other options
In case of an extreme overbite, the dentist may recommend wearing headgear for a few hours daily to correct the position of teeth.
For children with baby teeth, dentists use removable plates for dental correction instead of braces or aligners.
To gain that straightened smile, the patient needs to undergo three stages of the orthodontic treatment. As the first phase of therapy, dental lingual bars and palatal expanders are placed beside the teeth for a few days. It is followed by the second phase that involves braces or aligners fitting. The third stage requires the use of retainer and monitoring the teeth after removing braces.
Which is better Invisalign or metal braces?
Appearance is probably the most critical aspect that works in favor of clear aligners as metallic brackets look unattractive. Aligners remain almost invisible if appropriately used and cleaned.
As mentioned earlier, metal brackets require professional assistance for placement and removal. On the other hand, clear braces offer much more comfort. They can be removed while eating, drinking to make things easy.
Metal brackets consist of metal and wire pieces with sharp edges. Teeth are strengthened by appealing a bit of pressure with the help of metallic brackets. Clear aligners do not consist of metal, thus remain smooth and comfortable.
Invisalign based treatment may require one or two years to start showing its effects, while on the other hand, metal braces often remain longer, even for as many as five years.
Do metal brackets need more care?
Studies have pointed out that more than four million Americans use aligners or metal brackets at present for straightening their teeth.
Maintaining good oral health with regular brushing and flossing is equally important during the therapy. Patients using aligners do not need to worry much as they can remove the same while brushing. However, individuals using traditional braces need to take particular care for ensuring that food particles do not accumulate near the metal brackets.
Along with hard, chewy, and crunchy food items, patients are also advised to avoid soft candies as eating such stuff can damage brackets. For keeping the braces in good condition, even fruits and vegetables should be cut into small pieces for eating.
Minor adjustments and cleaning might be required after a specific interval of time. Thus, visiting the dental office as per scheduled appointments is crucial to ensure the treatment remains on the right track.
Different types of Invisalign
There are a variety of Invisalign aligners available to suit re-alignment treatments. Depending on the complication in the condition, the dental care expert would recommend from Invisalign 7, Invisalign Lite, Invisalign Full, or Invisalign Teen option.
Invisalign 7 aligners are used for treating minor corrections in the front teeth. They are considered suitable for spacing issues (overcrowding) with eight front teeth.
The Line aligner is referred to patients in the class 1 cases involving the overlapping of upper front teeth on the lower ones. Full and Teen versions have multiple uses due to their flexibility.
Remember, it is always better to let your dentist choose the best option for your teeth.
For avoiding inconvenience, following orthodontist’s instructions throughout the treatment is extremely important. If you have any concerns about teeth straightening treatment, you can always fix an appointment at Roswell (GA) based TruCare Dentistry.