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Yes! After days of staring at your crooked teeth or gummy smile every time you look in the mirror, you've finally decided to take the plunge and book an appointment with an orthodontist to do something about it.
It’s a massive first step but the decision-making has just begun. One of the most commonly asked questions to any orthodontist these days is “Braces or Clear Aligners? Which is more suitable for me?”
Traditionally, braces were the only means to correct misaligned teeth but the introduction of clear aligners changed all that. One is not inherently better than the other. In most cases, both options are available.
However, it is important to remember that aligners can treat most, but not all orthodontic problems. This makes the initial consultation with your orthodontist even more important as that’s the only way for you to make a decision which is most suitable to your individual needs and lifestyle choices.
What's the difference?
Braces are metal brackets that are cemented onto the teeth. They are made up of two stainless steel brackets and arch-wire. The brackets are attached to the back of the teeth, while the arch-wire is placed in between them. The wires then stay connected to the brackets using small rubber bands, putting a constant yet gentle force to align your teeth properly.
Aligners, on the other hand, are essentially clear, thin plastic trays that are made to fit over your teeth to move them gradually into place. Unlike braces, aligners are removable and don't require any cementing. Hence, the aligners will be designed to fit over your teeth and you will be responsible for wearing and removing them until your teeth are fully aligned.
Are the options weighing you down? Consider which of the following factors is most important to you.
- Cosmetics – Do you want to keep your treatment on the down low or are you loud and proud about the smile you’re working towards?
- Convenience – Are you able to make frequent trips to the orthodontist or work/school keeps you wanting more hours in the day?
- Compliance – How much effort are you willing to put in for your treatment? Do you trust yourself to follow instructions?
- Comfort – Is potential soreness a serious concern?
- Cost – Which treatment suits your budget more?
Let's talk pros and cons!
Braces
ADVANTAGES:
- Applicable to all cases – While aligners can treat most, braces can treat all cases. That means braces are always an option!
- Variety – From the traditional metal to the more discreet porcelain braces, with or without colours, there are ample choices within braces itself. While on braces, you can have the most fun with accessories of vibrant colours! Christmas, school or sports team colours, Chinese New Year, Halloween… you name it!
- Compliance – Because they are fixed to your teeth, you don’t need to worry about forgetting to wear or losing them. This is useful for patients who may not be adequately motivated or physically unable to constantly change and wear aligners.
- Comfort – You will experience discomfort when the brackets are placed or adjusted, or even as the wires irritate your mouth tissues. This is usually short-lived and once you become accustomed, you may even forget that you have braces. Of course, the quality of the braces and the orthodontist's experience do count!
DISADVANTAGES:
- Hygiene – Keeping your teeth clean can be challenging with all the brackets, rubber bands, and wires. However, oral hygiene is so important that sometimes braces may be prematurely removed if there is a chance of real damage to the teeth.
- Diet – Wearing braces will require you to make some modifications to your everyday diet. Hard and sticky foods are a no-no along with foods rich in sugar as cleaning your teeth may be difficult.
- Discomfort – Braces may cause initial discomfort as they rub against your cheeks and lips. Some patients tend to suffer more than others.
- Appearance – Braces are more noticeable than aligners. This may be a deciding factor for many people based on their occupation, hobbies or even personality.
- Treatment time – Appointments are usually longer and more frequent as the orthodontist makes active adjustments.
Clear Aligners
ADVANTAGES:
- Appearance – For those who tend to shy away from showing their teeth, aligners are a boon. As the name suggests, they are clear and custom-made to fit your teeth, making it less noticeable than braces.
- Diet – Aligners are removable so your diet remains unaffected as you remove them to eat. Some foods are difficult to chew with braces on. However, aligners pose no such challenge.
- Hygiene – Again, with the removable aligners, it makes cleaning your teeth easy and thus, allowing you to maintain optimal oral hygiene. You can brush and floss as per normal.
- Appointments – Since the tooth movement is pre-planned by your orthodontist, the actual visits are fewer and shorter. This can be a big advantage in today’s busy schedules!
- Comfort – Although your teeth may feel a little tender as they begin to move, most patients report that aligners are quite comfortable as they rarely irritate the lips or cheeks. This may be suitable for those playing contact sports.
- Overall treatment time – Many studies have shown aligners to be equally or a tad bit faster in achieving results than traditional braces. But this depends on your particular case as advised by an orthodontist.
DISADVANTAGES:
- Compliance – For the best results, you will need to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day. With this comes the need for extra compliance and care to achieve your desired results.
- Maintenance – Aligners need to be removed while eating or for cleaning. Some patients may find this cumbersome, especially in public if they feel shy or embarrassed.
- Effectiveness – For some complex cases, your orthodontist may recommend braces over aligners for better results.
- Comfort – Even though there is a slight discomfort, patients have the option to remove them which defeats the purpose of having aligners.
- Lost/Misplaced aligners – It's easy to lose or damage your clear aligners. Some patients report losing their aligners when they dig into their pockets or it gets thrown away wrapped in a napkin. Sometimes they may end up being a chew toy for your pet if not taken care of!
- Hygiene – Although your diet remains the same, it is important to control your liquid intake, especially soft drinks or flavoured waters as these can seep into the aligners and cause rapid tooth decay.
- Cost – In many cases, good quality aligners may cost more than braces with high digital lab fee (software patent, technicians, production costs). However, in a lot of cases the pricing may be not be too far off.
| Braces | VS | Clear Aligners |
|---|---|---|
| For all mal-alignment, incl. complex ones | SUITABILITY | For mild to moderate mal-alignment |
| Less responsibility | COMPLIANCE | Highly required |
| Lower | COST | Higher |
| Visible | APPLIANCE VISIBILITY | Less visible |
| Fixed | USAGE | Removable |
| Yes | DIETARY RESTRICTIONS | Minimal |
| Requires more effort and care | ORAL HYGIENE MAINTENANCE | Minimal |
| Average | LEVEL OF DISCOMFORT | Mild |
| More frequent | FREQUENCY OF APPOINTMENTS | Less frequent |
Whether its braces or aligners, we can agree that the type of appliance used in orthodontic treatment is far less important than the training, knowledge, skill and experience in the hands of the person who is providing the treatment. Rely on the skills of the AAO* orthodontist, who has the education, experience and expertise to evaluate diagnostic findings, and translate those into a treatment plan that will help you or your child achieve a healthy and beautiful smile!
*AAO: American Association of Orthodontists
At Dr. Catherine Lee Orthodontics, we have a dedicated team of doctors and staff whose skills and experiences help our patients enjoy the process of creating healthier, beautiful smiles. We have a strong focus on growing children, and especially welcome those who need orthodontics and dentistry for kids. For a consultation, contact us at enquiries@DrCatherineLeeOrthodontics.com.
