- July 7, 2022
- Posted by: Dr. Alan Wong
- Category: Modern Aligners
A straight smile can do a lot for your confidence. To achieve a straight smile, some people might need to undergo orthodontic treatment. An increasingly popular form of orthodontic care today is clear teeth aligners. Instead of braces, these clear retainers are essentially invisible and help straighten out your teeth over time. But are they really worth it?
Why Clear Aligners Are Worth It
No Food Restrictions
When you have braces, there are limits on what you can and can’t eat. This is because the brackets are fragile despite being glued on. Eating things like popcorn, gummies, hard candies, and other hard foods or fruits could damage your braces or result in a popped bracket. Clear aligners don’t have these same restrictions.
When you have clear aligners, you must take them out before eating or drinking anything that isn’t water. Other than that, there aren’t any food-related restrictions that you must follow.
Virtually Invisible
For teens and adults alike, the idea of wearing braces is not appealing. However, having straight teeth is essential for oral hygiene, and if you don’t do something about crooked or misaligned teeth, you could suffer tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems.
Unlike braces, clear aligners are virtually invisible. They aren’t obvious from afar and even if you notice them, it’s very unlikely that others you talk to will be able to pinpoint your aligners. Even if they do, they aren’t as obvious as braces and won’t impact your smile.
Fewer Appointments
Dental appointments are expensive and can take time out of your day. With braces, you’ll need to go in every three to six weeks to have your wires tightened so your treatment can continue to be effective. This can quickly become time-consuming and make it hard to schedule other work-related appointments or require your teen to skip days at school.
Clear aligners are much easier to maintain. Oftentimes, your dentist will provide you with several sets of aligners that can be switched out steadily for the next several months. This allows you to continue your care without switching your schedule every few weeks. It also helps you save money on dental appointments.
No Repairs
With braces, wires will snap, and brackets will break, meaning additional appointments with your dentist just to fix them. Not only are repairs costly, they’re also uncomfortable, and living with broken brackets or snapped wires can make eating and chewing more difficult.
Clear aligners don’t need repairs as braces do. On the off chance that your pets get ahold of them and damage your aligners, you can choose to order new ones or ask your dentist about moving on to the next set of aligners. Aligners are much easier and hassle-free to replace.
Shorter Treatment Time
Braces are usually left on your teeth for anywhere from 16 to 24 or more months. Aligners, on the other hand, may only last 6-18 months. It all depends on your treatment needs and what your dentist thinks is best for you, but using clear aligners will usually mean you have a shorter treatment time.
Of course, even once you finish your treatment plan, you’ll still need to wear your aligners while you sleep or for a couple of hours each day. This will help prevent your teeth from shifting back and ruining all your work. Even with braces, though, you’ll need to wear retainers at night.
Conclusion
Many people may doubt the value of clear aligners but they can make all the difference in your orthodontic journey. Call us today if you have any questions, and we’ll be happy to answer them.
Dr. Alan Wong is a dedicated orthodontist who loves helping his patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. He is committed to providing gentle, effective care in a patient-centered environment. Dr. Wong is also a strong believer in continuing education, so he can provide his patients with the latest and greatest treatment options.