Differences Between Braces And Aligners

Creating a beautiful smile for adults has never been easier. How do you go about straightening your teeth, though, is a bit more complicated. With advancements in orthodontics, there are many treatment options available.

Understanding the differences between braces vs. aligners will help you to decide which is the best option for you. To help make your decision, continue reading to learn more about braces, aligners, cost difference, treatment time, and which is more effective.

Braces

When you think of straightening your teeth, traditional dental braces come to mind. Traditional braces consist of brackets, wires, molar bands, and O-rings ( the colorful rubber bands around the brackets). The brackets, wires, and bands are usually made with stainless steel, making this option the most noticeable. Also, the brackets and bands are secured to the teeth by a composite material (dental glue), making them not removable. Traditional metal braces may not be the best option for you if you feel a little self-conscious about wearing braces.

Hygiene Requirements

To clean braces effectively, you have to be pretty meticulous. Brushing, flossing, and using a Waterpik are all necessary tools to clean braces properly. The whole process can be time-consuming, especially when it comes to flossing. A special floss threader is required to thread the dental floss under the wire to floss between the teeth successfully.

Food Restrictions

While in traditional braces, there are several food restrictions. Certain foods can get stuck in brackets or bands and make it easier for them to pop off or break, which ends up prolonging treatment. Foods on the no-no list would include popcorn, nuts, ice, chewy/sticky candies, hard candies, gum, chips, pretzels, and hard bread (like a bagel) to name a few.

Are Braces Comfortable?

Are Teeth Braces are Comfortable?

Comfort-wise, you will need time to adjust to dental braces. Brackets and wires can rub areas in the mouth, irritating the gums, tongue, and cheeks. Trauma to these areas can cause sores or ulcers in the mouth, which can heal but be painful. Also, talking while in braces can take some time for you to adjust.

Treatment and Options

Dental braces treat adults that need teeth correction or jaw alignment. Orthodontic cases that are more difficult may require only traditional braces to treat effectively. Before starting treatment, records (X-rays, photos, scans) will show if your case requires traditional braces.

Besides stainless steel braces, there are two other options available.

  • Ceramic (tooth-colored) braces.
  • Lingual braces (braces placed on the back of the teeth).

All consist of similar techniques to place them on the teeth. Also, all of these options are not removable, require good hygiene habits, food restrictions, and can be uncomfortable at times.

Aligners

Invisible aligners are a great way to straighten your teeth without drawing attention to the fact that you're in orthodontic treatment. At UpSmiles, we offer our patients clear aligners to treat your orthodontic needs. The aligners are virtually invisible and made from a BPA-free material that is smooth and comfortable to wear.

The fact aligners are removable makes them desirable and allows you to eat, drink, brush, and floss without restrictions or challenges. Aligners make orthodontic treatment more adaptable to your everyday life.

Also Read: What are Aligners and How it Works

Hygiene Requirements

Caring for your teeth and aligners is less maintenance compared to traditional braces. Important things to remember; you must take the aligners out before eating or drinking anything (other than water). Also, to prevent the aligners from staining, you must brush your teeth after eating or drinking (other than water) before placing them back in your mouth. Besides that, you may brush and floss like normal.

Food Restrictions

With removable aligners, there are no food restrictions as long as you do not wear the aligners while eating. You can wear them if you are only drinking water.

Are Aligners Comfortable?

Are teeth aligners are comfortable?

Comfort-wise, the trays do take some getting used to because they are placing pressure on the teeth to move. In the beginning, they may affect your speech some, but once you get used to wearing them, it is not a problem. The advantages of not having difficulty eating or discomfort from the wires make it all worth it.

Treatment and Options

At UpSmiles, to start the process of getting invisible aligners, you will get impressions, or scans of your teeth. Once those are complete, they are reviewed, adjusted (if necessary), and approved by a licensed dentist or orthodontist. A lab will then create your trays; after that, your kit will arrive with your custom aligners, and treatment can begin.

There are different types of clear aligners on the market - some more costly than others. The difference with other aligners compared to ours is some require teeth, frequent visits to a dentist or an orthodontist, and longer treatment times. Our aligners are an excellent choice for busy adults that would like to see quick results.

Cost Difference

Choosing between dental braces and invisible aligners can come down to price. The average braces cost for adults can range anywhere from $1,800 to $5,500. Also, the clear braces price or price of lingual braces (braces on the back of the teeth) can be more expensive than what metal braces cost. Teeth aligners like Invisalign, on average, cost about $5,000. To learn more about what our custom aligner kits cost, please visit our website for pricing information.

Treatment Time

Treatment times can verify depending on your case and comparing braces vs. aligners. If the case is pretty straight forward, the typical treatment time for braces is two years with braces on 24/7. For aligners, the average treatment time is 6 to 18 months, wearing removable aligners for 22-24 hours a day.

With our treatment system, the majority of our treatment plans are 4-6 months, wearing the teeth aligners 22 hours a day. Since the aligners are moving teeth simultaneously, treatment times reduced. So, if you have a wedding or class reunion in the next few months, this would be an excellent option!

Which Is More Effective?

Both braces and aligners will straighten your teeth effectively. "The advantages of using our aligners vs. braces" are pretty clear.

  • No food restrictions
  • Easy to brush and floss
  • Removable
  • Invisible
  • Cost-effective
  • Shorter treatment time
  • Convenience

We make it easy for you to get that beautiful smile you have been looking for, all while fitting into everyday life. Please visit our website to get started.