Should I Get Clear Braces? – Option For Improving Your Smile

If you are dissatisfied with your smile or the position of your teeth, you have options for improving your teeth alignment.
Orthodontics is a field with new and exciting treatment systems that employ the latest dental technology.

If you have been wondering, “Should I get clear braces?” Learning more about the different options can help with your decision.

What are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are ceramic braces that are adhered to the teeth like traditional metal braces. Unlike conventional braces, clear braces feature brackets made from a material called translucent polycrystalline alumina (TPA) that results in an ultra-strong hold and virtual invisibility. Ceramic braces are an ideal choice for correcting complex orthodontic issues that cannot otherwise be addressed with Invisalign.

Sometimes, the term “clear braces” refers to aligners, like Invisalign trays. Clear aligners use a series of plastic moulds to adjust your teeth and bite over time. Although this type of clear braces costs more than traditional metal braces, removable clear aligners are effective and comfortable.

The Benefits of Ceramic Braces

Braces straighten your teeth over time and are traditionally made out of metal. With the innovations of the past 30 years, ceramic braces have become more popular; they are as strong and durable as metal, but they are more discrete. Ceramic braces have the same structural components as metal braces. They have clear brackets and archwires, although some options include tooth-coloured ceramic braces. Clear braces are durable, do not stain easily, and are less noticeable than metal braces.

What is Invisalign Treatment?

To start your Invisalign treatment, you’ll consult with your dentist to have a 3D scan of your mouth. The imaging data is input into a software program that predicts how your teeth will move throughout your treatment. The scans of your mouth and software data are sent to a lab where your Invisalign trays are fabricated.

You move through the progression of transparent trays over 12-18 months, swapping one out for the next set in the series every two weeks. The trays slowly and gently move your teeth into the desired position.

For the treatment to be effective you must wear them for at least 22 hours a day. This allows you to remove the trays whenever you need to eat or brush your teeth, so there is no need to modify your diet or oral hygiene routine.

The primary benefit of this type of clear braces is they are unnoticeable. The trays are made from thin, clear thermoplastic that sits directly against your teeth.

Invisalign aligners are also much gentler on sensitive mouths. Metal and ceramic braces can snag on the inside of your mouth and without proper care and guidance from a professional, clear braces can crack or chip from wear and tear.

However, not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign clear braces. Depending on the condition of your teeth and jaw alignment, clear ceramic braces may be a better option that is still discrete.

Who Should Get Braces?

An overcrowded mouth or misaligned bite doesn’t just affect your self-esteem; these issues could also impact your oral health.

Crooked and crowded teeth make it hard to successfully floss and brush your teeth. Over the years, bacteria can build-up between misaligned teeth and lead to problems like gum disease and tooth decay.

Another affliction caused by the excess of bacteria in your mouth is chronic bad breath. Bacteria cause bad breath, and when you’re unable to clean your mouth by flossing and brushing correctly, you may struggle with halitosis.

Sometimes a misaligned bite like an underbite or an overbite is due to genetic attributes from the parents. If one of your parents has struggled with malocclusion and had it corrected, there’s a strong chance you will need orthodontic treatment as well.

Should I Get Clear Braces

If you’re trying to decide between clear braces, metal braces, or Invisalign trays, it isn’t just about cost; it’s also about your comfort and lifestyle.

Here are some pros and cons of each orthodontic treatment.

Traditional metal braces are effective for a full range of orthodontic corrections and are the most affordable orthodontic treatment.

Although more noticeable than ceramic braces or Invisalign, contemporary metal braces can be customised with coloured brackets and wires to suit your style.

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign trays offer transparency and the convenience to take them out whenever you want. However, you do need to clean them thoroughly after you take them out to reduce bacteria caught between the tray and your teeth.

Ceramic braces are also less noticeable than traditional metal braces while still providing the same effective treatment for almost all types of malocclusion and orthodontic problems. While they are durable, they are also prone to chipping and cracking without proper upkeep.

Whether you should get ceramic braces, traditional metal braces or Invisalign can be broken down in a few questions, as well as your dentist’s recommendation. Those questions may look like:

The Final Word

If you’re disappointed by your teeth or bite, you may have wondered, “Should I get clear braces?” more than once. By carefully assessing what clear braces cost, the condition of your teeth, and what your expectations are, you can make the right choice for your lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a reliable dentist to provide state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment, contact Dentistry on Solent on (02) 9158 6137 for an appointment to find out if clear braces are a good option for improving your smile.