Metal Braces vs. Clear Aligners: Definitions
Two common orthodontic treatments that try to correct misaligned teeth and give you a straight smile are braces and clear aligners. Both techniques use controlled forces to shift the teeth into the appropriate locations.
Metal Braces
- Metal braces use metal components, as their name implies. Your teeth are fitted with metal brackets on their facial surfaces, and then metal archwires are inserted through the brackets.
- You might use ceramic brackets that complement the colour of your teeth if you want braces to be less noticeable. We refer to these as ceramic braces. It is also possible to place metal braces—sometimes referred to as lingual braces—on the interior surfaces of your teeth.
Teeth Aligners
The translucent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material used to make teeth aligners is a detachable appliance that fits tightly around tooth movements.
Clear Aligners benefit
Benefits
- Effective in treating mild to complex cases
- Cost is slightly lesser than aligners
- Virtually invisible appearance
- Equally effective in treating mild to complex cases
- Removable, so easy to maintain oral hygiene
- No restrictions on what to eat
- Comfortable to wear or remove
Procedure
Metal Braces
- Your dentist will take the necessary X-rays and pictures in addition to doing a thorough and comprehensive examination of the teeth.
- A suitable treatment plan is formulated in light of the findings.
- Bonding cement is used to affix brackets to teeth following treatment plan approval. Elastics or ligature wires are used to hold metal wires in place once they have been inserted through the brackets.
- Follow-up appointments are planned every month to tighten the wires or make any required changes.
- Clear aligners require a similar first dental examination as traditional braces. Although imprints can also be made, an intraoral 3D scanner is typically utilised to create a 3D image of the teeth.
- A treatment plan is created using these digital scans or imprints. The patient's personalized clear aligners are made once the treatment plan has been approved.
- When the aligners are prepared, you will receive a call to schedule a first fitting. You'll receive your aligners and the required instructions from your doctor. If attachment placement and IPR are necessary, they shall be carried out in accordance with the treatment plan. Then, to continue the treatment, you can adjust your aligner step every one to two weeks, depending on the circumstances.
- Follow-up visits are planned every few months (or more frequently in complex cases) to assess how well the case is progressing and to check on the fit of the aligners.