Millions of people wear braces, enjoying not only the aesthetic benefits of straighter teeth but the oral health benefits too. Straight, evenly spaced teeth aren’t just more attractive — they can decrease the risks of tooth wear, bite imbalances, and other oral health problems.
Today, when people think of orthodontic treatment, they tend to think about those popular clear aligner systems, like Invisalign®. In fact, plenty of patients go into treatment thinking they have only one choice: clear aligners.
But the fact is, while aligners can be a good choice for lots of patients, traditional braces offer many important benefits too. In fact, there are many times when traditional braces are actually a better choice.
As a leading orthodontist in Cedar Park, Texas, Brendan Smith, DDS, knows there’s no “standard” orthodontic treatment because every patient at Freedom Orthodontics is different. In this post, he reviews some of the most important benefits of traditional braces to help you decide which option might be better for your beautiful smile.
Invisalign aligners must be worn for at least 20 hours a day. If there’s a chance you’ll forget to pop them in after a meal or a cleaning, or if you think you might be tempted to wear them for fewer hours, then traditional braces are a better choice. Affixed to your teeth, there’s no way you can forget to wear them, making them a set-it-and-forget-it approach to your beautiful smile.
Invisalign aligners are made of plastic, and although they’re durable, like any tough plastic, they can be bent or damaged (for instance, if you leave them in the hot sun or don’t store them in their case). Even a minor ding can render a set of aligners ineffective, requiring a change in your treatment plan.
Braces can also be damaged, but in different ways (for instance, by chewing on ice). These differences are worth thinking about when deciding which option is better for you, your lifestyle, and your habits.
Advances in Invisalign’s design mean they can treat more issues now than when they were first introduced. But they still can’t treat every type of alignment problem, including more complex or severe bite issues. In these situations, traditional braces are hands down the better choice.
Because they use brackets and wires, traditional braces tend to cost less than Invisalign, and some insurance plans may be more likely to provide coverage. Many people find the cost of traditional braces is easier to fit into their budget, so they can get a more beautiful, more confident, healthier smile without drawing down their savings.
Advances in orthodontic techniques and technology mean faster treatment, even with traditional braces. Remember: While you want your treatment to be over quickly, you also want the best results, so don’t base your choice solely on treatment time.
Yes, traditional braces still use metal brackets and wires. But there are other options that are less visible, like tooth-colored wires and clear brackets. Lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, so they’re virtually invisible. And if you want to flaunt your braces, there are colorful wires that let you match your smile to your style.
Traditional braces are the time-tested method that’s helped millions of people improve their smiles and their bite balance. With traditional braces, you’re tapping into decades of clinical experience, which is something worth considering if you’re hesitant about having treatment in the first place.
While Invisalign and other clear aligner systems can offer great results, they’re not always the best choice, and there are some situations where traditional braces are definitely a better option.
Since Dr. Smith has extensive experience in traditional braces and orthodontic aligners, you can feel confident that he can help you make the best decision when it comes to your care and results.
To learn more about the orthodontic treatments Dr. Smith offers, call Freedom Orthodontics or book an appointment online today.
