If you’ve been advised to have orthodontic treatment you are probably wondering ‘should i get clear braces’? Clear braces offer the wearer a number of benefits over traditional metal braces, but it may surprise you to know that they aren’t for everyone. Let’s take a look at the questions you should be asking yourself before you move forward with your treatment plan.
Get Discreet And Effective Teeth Straightening
It was back in the 1950s that traditional metal braces first came to be used, but it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that lingual braces, which were affixed to the back of the teeth and were thus unnoticeable, came to be used. Fast forward to 2020 and more than 8-million people have worn Invisalign, one of the leading brands of clear braces.
How Are Lingual Braces Different To Aligners?
Lingual braces are very similar to traditional metal braces, except that they are placed on the back of your teeth. They may not be visible to other people but patients report that having them on the underside of the teeth takes some getting used to, and can affect the way you enunciate certain words.
Even if you aren’t a fan of traditional metal braces, not everyone is a candidate for clear aligners, and there are some critical aspects of the treatment process that you should be aware of, before moving ahead with your treatment plan. Let’s take a look at some of these:
Should I Get Clear Braces?
Do you want discreet and effective orthodontic treatment?
Clear aligners like Invisalign are so popular because they are so discreet. This makes it so much easier for patients to experience social occasions and interactions, while still receiving the necessary smile correction.
Are You Mature Enough To Wear Clear Braces?
Wearing clear orthodontics requires a certain level of maturity and understanding. This means that the aligners should be removed for eating and drinking to ensure the special plastic does not become stained (if it does, it negates the purpose of wearing them because they will become more noticeable).
Furthermore, clear braces do not need to be adjusted regularly by your dental practitioner because you will be given a new set of aligners every second week instead.
At the beginning of your engagement, your dentist will map out the positions your teeth need to move into over the course of your treatment, and give you different aligners that will enable this.
For this reason clear braces are typically recommended for older adolescents and adults, who have the maturity to wear them.
Will You Wear Your Aligners For Long Enough Every Day?
Furthermore, you do have a minimum wear time to achieve, in order to meet your treatment milestones. This means that your clear braces will need to be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day in order to be effective. This translates into only being able to remove them for eating and drinking and wearing them for the rest of the time.
Are You Prepared To Take Care Of Them?
Clear aligners need a special level of care. This means that when they are removed, the aligners and your teeth need to be thoroughly cleaned before they are put back. This is so that bacteria cannot become trapped between the aligners and the surface of your teeth.
It should also be noted that you should only use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning them (or the branded cleaning system recommended by your dentist). You should not use whitening toothpaste or hot water on the braces, as it can affect the plastic either by changing its shape or making it shinier, and thus more noticeable.
Do You Need Mild To Moderate Orthodontic Treatment?
Clear aligners are effective at straightening teeth and correcting minor to moderate bite issues. If you need extensive correction, your dentist may recommend an alternative like traditional metal braces.
Traditional metal braces are more uncomfortable and take longer to get used to. They cause more irritation and require more visits to your dentist for adjustments and check-ups. They are also more noticeable, and wearing aligners can make a major difference to your confidence while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If you would like to correct your smile and maintain your confidence over the duration of your treatment plan, clear aligners could be the answer for you.
Still wondering ‘should i get clear braces’? Then it’s probably time to speak to a professional. Please contact our practice as soon as possible for an appointment: (02) 8203 8760.
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