Misaligned or crooked teeth are known to be pretty common, especially amongst teenagers. While the teeth usually don’t cause any life-threatening situation, however, in severe cases, they can affect the charm of your overall appearance. Hence, this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. But, what are the best treatment procedures to straighten your teeth? According to the best dental clinic in Greater Kailash, misaligned teeth can be treated successfully using braces.
However, there’s a hitch.
Usually, an orthodontist would ask you to choose between two alternatives – metal braces and clear aligners. So, which one would be the best option for you amongst these two? Let’s find out!
What are Clear Aligners?
The clear plastic aligners, in essence, are known to be an ideal alternative to the conventional bracing system. These are specifically designed to guide your teeth into their correct position.
Like any other braces, the plastic aligners, too, use a moderate amount of gradual force to control the positioning of your teeth. However, they don’t require metal brackets or wires to do so.
Most people tend to have unique teeth settings. Therefore, your orthodontist will, first, take a measurement of your teeth before fabricating an aligner for you.
As a rule of thumb, you will need to wear the clear teeth aligners at least 20 hours a day. Each product needs to be worn for at least three weeks before changing into a new one.
The treatment period with an aligner is usually different in most cases. It can, sometimes, be as short as 21 days or more than six months, depending on the severity of your misaligned teeth.
In any case, it will work much better and quicker than the traditional bracing system.
Read Also: Wisdom Tooth Pain: Symptoms, Causes, Remedies & Relief
Advantages of Clear Aligners
The Invisalign clear aligners offer a wide array of benefits to the user due to their simplicity and superior capabilities. Some of these are –
- The clear aligners will not be affixed to your teeth. Instead, the orthodontist will slip them onto your teeth. Hence, they will feel much more comfortable while wearing. You can also remove them when you are eating or drinking something.
- As these products are removable, you can keep them clean and fresh without going through any hardship. Thus, the risk of a teeth infection or damage will be minimized as well.
- Clear aligners generally do not cause grinding. Therefore, they will not contribute to accidental tooth wear or anything similar to this condition.
- As the name suggests, the aligners appear to be almost invisible when you are wearing them. Therefore, you can blend with others without being anxious about someone detecting them.
- Finally, the clear path aligners can also lower the treatment period by six months when compared to the traditional braces.
Disadvantages of Clear Aligners
Like everything else, the clear aligners are not perfect in every aspect as well. Some of the minor flaws of these products are –
- The aligners tend to be a bit pricier than conventional braces.
- Keeping them in place, especially if you are prone to removing them, can be difficult.
- Cleaning them regularly can be a hassle for people following a busy schedule.
Read Also: The Dentist’s Guide to a Basic Teeth Cleaning
What are Metal Braces?
As the name implies, the metal braces are made of stainless steel and have wires, which helps attach them to one’s teeth. Sometimes, rubber bands are also used in this aspect.
Unlike the Invisalign clear aligners, they are not removable. Therefore, some people may find them a bit inconvenient than their plastic-made counterparts.
The rubber bands of the metal braces are available in a wide range of colors. So, if you are all-in for customizing, you can try out whatever you want.
Contrary to what most people think, the modern-age metal braces are somewhat less noticeable. However, they still aren’t almost invisible like the aligners.
Advantages of Metal Braces
The most admiring benefits of the metal braces are –
- They are considered to be the best option for severely misaligned teeth. Some of the problems that can be corrected with this option are –
- Misalignment
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Overcrowding
- Overbites
- The metal braces are quite affordable, unlike the removable clear aligners. However, they may not be as effective or quick as their competitors.
- As mentioned before, the metal braces are made with stainless steel. Therefore, they are much more durable and, thus, can last for a prolonged period as well.
- You will have to wear a traditional brace until the end of your treatment period. Hence, they can offer constant care and protection to your teeth.
Disadvantages of Metal Braces
Here are some of the most notable disadvantages of metal braces –
- You will have to follow a few drink and food restrictions with them.
- They might not be ideal for you if you are too concerned about your appearance.
- They will require regular adjustments to offer the best outcome for the wearer.
- It is much easier to neglect hygienic practices with them.
- The metal braces can cause soreness to your gum if the bracket rubs against your mouth.
Metal or Clear Braces: Which One is the Best and Why?
Choosing one between a clear aligner and a metal brace can be difficult for any non-medical personality. Hence, in this section, we will be comparing them to offer you better clarity regarding this argument. Let’s get started!
- The clear aligners treatment in Greater Kailash, Delhi tends to be a lot quicker than metal braces. So, if you are otherwise busy and wish to fix your teeth as soon as possible, then the former option would be ideal for you.
- With the metal aligners, you will have to avoid several food items to avoid getting stuck. However, there is no reason to do so if you are wearing a clear aligner. You can always remove and clean them without encountering any complications.
- However, the clear aligners cost in Delhi tends to be more than the metal braces. This is the only downside of the former against the latter.
Conclusion
When talking about overall convenience and efficiency, clear aligners are considered a better option than metal braces. However, the choice would solely depend on the kind of misalignment you have, the result you want, and your sense of comfort. Make sure to talk with your orthodontist about it before coming up with a decision.