Hoping to straighten your teeth but worried about metal braces affecting your smile? Well, fret not! You might be excited to learn about THE “invisible braces”. Read on!
Whilst traditional or conventional braces are generally reliable in creating a beautiful smile [1], some individuals might prefer a less conspicuous appliance to achieve the same result.
With the advance of technology in orthodontics (the dental specialty which focuses on teeth alignment, bite pattern and more), clear aligners are thus introduced!
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are almost-transparent plastic trays that are custom-made to fit your teeth. These aligners move your teeth to the desirable position by applying gentle pressure to the teeth. [2] You might wonder how “clear” these aligners are. They are ALMOST invisible as they are made of transparent medical-grade plastics. Although someone who’s talking to you up-close can still see the clear aligners on your teeth, they are definitely less perceptible than conventional braces. [3]
Removability
Oh, you still don’t feel comfortable with people noticing the clear aligners on your teeth. No problem about that, you can choose to remove your clear aligners during social settings then. [4] This also means you can enjoy food as usual since you should remove your clear aligners when eating. [5] In contrast, patients with conventional braces have to avoid hard or sticky food such as popcorn, nuts and caramels to avoid damage to the braces’ brackets. [6] Do take note that although aligners are removable, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours EVERY DAY to effectively move your teeth. [5]
Pro tip: Don’t accidentally misplace and lose your aligners after removing them. You can store them in a plastic case.
Treatment Duration of Clear Aligners
The duration of clear aligner treatment depends on how complex your case is and how compliant you are in wearing these aligners. The average treatment duration of clear aligners is 12 to 18 months, it might be even shorter for simple cases. [7] It is difficult to quote a specific duration so best to consult a certified dentist who can assess your teeth in person. [8]
How are clear aligners different than conventional braces?
Effectiveness in Teeth Movement
Clear aligners are effective in moving teeth, BUT to an extent. (Yes, there’s a catch) Let us quickly jump back to conventional braces, clear aligners’ “rival”. You might call conventional braces old-fashioned and frown at their appearance. However, do you know the reason they are still an orthodontist’s tried-and-true treatment option for DECADES? This is because they can execute more difficult tooth movements predictably. Whether the malocclusion (misalignment of upper and/or lower teeth [9]) case is easy or complex, your orthodontist can utilise the good old conventional braces to grant you that Hollywood smile. [10]
On the other hand, clear aligners have limitations in certain complex cases. [11] Therefore, clear aligners are only recommended to correct mild to moderate malocclusion cases, with or without the aid of orthodontic elastics. [12]
With further advancement in clear aligner technology, clear aligners may achieve the same result as conventional braces sooner than expected. Who knows?
Price Comparison
It might not be easy to compare prices between conventional braces and clear aligners. There are different types of materials used in conventional braces; there are also myriad clear aligner brands available in the market. That being said, in general, to correct a similar malocclusion case, clear aligners would be pricier than conventional braces. This is because the consumer has to bear the manufacturing cost of the aligners [13], not to mention certain clear aligner products are also protected by patents. [14]
Speed to Straighten Teeth
Clear aligners can often work faster than braces for many patients, but the overall time depends on the complexity of the case. [15-17] As you know, braces are FIXED onto your teeth throughout your treatment. Therefore, they constantly apply force to move your teeth. [18] On the other hand, since aligners are removable, they cannot move your teeth when they are outside your mouth (obviously). This is why braces may give quicker results than clear aligners. [15,19] A clear-cut answer cannot be given since either option could be quicker depending on the circumstances.
Comfort
Clear aligners are thin plastic trays that are custom-made to snugly fit your teeth. Although there might be some discomfort when changing into a new set of aligners, you will quickly adapt to the aligners in just a few days. Besides that, the discomfort experienced when wearing clear aligners is quite minimal as compared to having conventional braces. [19]
Other Braces Options Which are More Natural-Looking
You dislike the appearance of conventional braces but clear aligners are unsuitable for you. No worries, there are other options like ceramic braces and lingual braces.
Ceramic Braces
The brackets in ceramic braces are made of tooth-coloured ceramic, plus the braces wire can be tooth-coloured too. Therefore, the braces can blend in better with the underlying tooth surface. However, ceramic braces are more expensive than conventional braces.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are similar to conventional braces; the difference is they are hidden behind your teeth, making them nearly invisible. (Speaking about ingenuity!) However, lingual braces may be more difficult to keep clean and can be more uncomfortable during eating and speaking. [20,21]
After much deliberation, if clear aligners are your top winner among the other braces options, hop on to our next article to learn the process of clear aligner treatment!
Reference
- Conventional Fixed Braces: Conventional Fixed Braces – British Orthodontic Society (BOS)
- Clear Aligners Clear Aligners | American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org)
- Diagnosing Malocclusions Identifying and Treating Malocclusions Classes I, II, and III (orthodontics.com)
- But aren’t braces all school How Braces Work: A Comprehensive Guide | American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org)
- Are clear aligners as effective as conventional fixed appliances? | Evidence-Based Dentistry (nature.com)
- Who Isn’t Eligible for Clear Aligners Clear Aligners | American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org)
- Are traditional braces cheaper than clear aligners? Orthodontics Australia | Traditional Braces vs Clear Aligners
- Patents Align Technology
- How long do clear aligners take to straighten teeth? Orthodontics Australia | Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults
- How long will Invisalign treatment take? What is Invisalign I clear & removable braces | Invisalign Malaysia
- Pros and Cons of Aligners Clear Aligner Therapy: A Modern Approach to Straightening Teeth | American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org)
- Conclusions Evaluation of Invisalign treatment effectiveness and efficiency compared with conventional fixed appliances using the Peer Assessment Rating index – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Conclusions Efficiency, effectiveness and treatment stability of clear aligners: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Difference between Braces and Clear Aligners Orthodontics Australia | Traditional Braces vs Clear Aligners
- Are clear aligners really invisible? Orthodontics Australia | Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults
- Clear Aligners- Removability Clear Aligners vs. Braces: Which is Right for You? | American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org)
- Whether you can stick to the rules Orthodontics Australia | Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults
- Foods to Avoid with Braces Guide To Eating with Braces | American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org)
- What are the benefits of clear aligner treatment? Orthodontics Australia | Invisible Braces: Clear Teeth Aligners For Adults
- Ceramic Fixed Appliances and Lingual Fixed Appliances Conventional Fixed Braces – British Orthodontic Society (BOS)
- Ceramic Braces & Lingual Braces Orthodontics Australia | Orthodontic Treatment Options For All Ages – Orthodontics Australia
