Wearing teeth aligners allows you to straighten crooked, overcrowded, or gapped teeth. You can also use aligners to correct bite issues, such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Orthodontists offer different types of aligners, including clear options that make the treatment nearly invisible. Here are some of the pros and cons of clear aligners:
Pros of Clear Aligners
The benefits of teeth aligners range from comfort and visual appeal to convenience. Wearing clear aligners gives you a discreet look that conceals the treatment. You can find traditional braces with clear brackets and connectors, but clear aligners, like Invisalign, are even less noticeable. Clear aligners are easy to use, clean, and maintain. They can be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing, resulting in improved oral hygiene. This also allows you to enjoy your favorite meals and beverages without staining the aligners. Taking the aligners out for a couple of minutes or hours may give you some relief from discomfort, although wearing them for the maximum recommended period helps you achieve your desired results quicker.
Aligner treatments involve fewer visits to your orthodontist because they don’t require professional fittings and adjustments. Your orthodontist will create all of your aligners and monitor your progress to identify opportunities for necessary adjustments. Orthodontists use advanced technology to create a digital treatment plan that shows your potential results before you begin treatment.
Cons of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners require a significant amount of self-discipline to achieve the desired results. Orthodontists recommend wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day for effective treatment. If you forget to wear them for the recommended duration, your treatment plan may be extended. Wearing your aligners consistently over several months requires discipline and commitment. You must also remember to remove the aligners every time you eat, drink, or brush. Drinking or eating while wearing the aligners can damage or stain them, affecting their efficiency in correcting your smile. You must also clean the aligners properly to avoid stains, odors, and bacteria.
Aligners may not be suitable for severe tooth misalignments and other orthodontic issues. If you have misshapen teeth, large gaps, or an extreme overbite caused by structural issues, other orthodontic treatments will be more effective. Clear aligners don’t work for rotated teeth, intrusion, and extrusion. Other conditions that require traditional braces include dental treatments like bridges and crowns. Such treatments result in smooth surfaces that may not provide sufficient grip for the aligners. If you have concerns about clear aligners, talk to your orthodontist for more information.
Alternatives to Clear Aligners
Orthodontists offer various alignment treatments, including traditional, self-litigating, and clear ceramic braces. Traditional metal braces have become more comfortable, and they feature brackets and archwires made of high-grade stainless steel. Orthodontists can add colored elastics to give you a unique, colorful smile that matches your style preferences. Self-litigating braces use the same materials as traditional braces, but they don’t require elastics. Self-litigating braces may feature metal, ceramic, or clear brackets with specialized clips instead of rubber bands to support the archwire. The clips are retained throughout treatment, eliminating the need for office visits to replace elastic rubber bands.
Clear ceramic braces are made with clear materials that are less visible than traditional metal brackets and archwires. Ceramic is more brittle than metal, so these braces require more care and attention when eating, brushing, and flossing. Orthodontists tend to use them for upper teeth realignment to create a subtle appearance for adults and teens.
Find Quality Teeth Aligners
Aligner treatments are customized to fit your oral health needs and preferences. A consultation appointment with your orthodontist allows them to assess your teeth and recommend a custom treatment plan and aligner type. Contact a board-certified orthodontist today to schedule a consultation and learn more about teeth aligners.
