Braces Vs. Clear Aligners: Which Is Right for Me?

Ready to straighten your teeth but not sure where to start? There are many orthodontic treatments available ranging from traditional metal braces to self-ligating braces to lingual braces to clear aligners. Sorting through the options can be overwhelming, but this is never a decision you have to make alone.

Here at The Dental Center of Hercules, Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro and the team offer both braces 一 specifically a type of metal braces called FASTBRACES® 一 and clear aligners. Because orthodontic treatment is very individualized, our team first conducts a comprehensive exam, reviews your personal preferences, and analyzes any digital imaging before recommending the right type of orthodontic treatment for you.

In the meantime, you can learn more about the differences between braces and clear aligners and the perks of each.

Braces versus clear aligners

Both braces and clear aligners work by shifting your teeth into an ideal position by applying a constant pressure on your teeth. As your teeth shift closer to their ideal position, your ligaments become compressed. That is a normal response, and your body responds with new alveolar bone growth. The new bone fills in any gaps that may have developed when your ligaments stretched. 

However, how the pressure is applied to your teeth is different. Let’s take a look at how they work.

All about braces

Metal braces move your teeth through a system of brackets and wires. FASTBRACES use special triangle-shaped brackets with square-shaped wires to move your tooth and the tooth root at the same time. This makes the system much faster than traditional metal braces that use square-shaped brackets and rubber bands. 

FASTBRACES exert 87% less frictional force on your teeth and support healthy alveolar bone growth with the average treatment taking as little as 100 days.

You might consider braces because:

• They are permanently secured to your teeth so there’s no need to worry about misplacing or cleaning your aligner trays
• Braces can typically correct more severe bite issues (compared to clear aligners)
• Treatments are more advanced even compared to braces just 10 years ago

Unlike traditional metal braces that were only available in one format (metal), FASTBRACES offers aesthetic clear and regular metal brackets.

All about clear aligners

Unlike metal braces, clear aligners are a removable type of orthodontic treatment. There are many brands of clear aligners, including the Invisalign® clear aligner system.

Invisalign applies a gentle pressure to your teeth with a series of trays 一 trays that gradually shift your teeth closer and closer to their ideal position. The trays are discreet but must be worn 20-22 hours a day to achieve the targeted treatment results.

You might consider clear aligners because they are:

• More comfortable (the trays are made of soft BPA-free plastic)
• Removable and easy to maintain

Another alluring part of Invisalign is that cutting-edge technology makes your treatment predictable from your first tray to your last one!

Braces or aligners: Which is right for you?

While your personal preference can shape your treatment plan, there are a few factors at play. Dr. Teodoro may review the following items before recommending the appropriate course of action for you:

• The types (if any) and severity of malocclusion 
• Your aesthetic goals
• Your lifestyle (e.g., will you have the ability to brush your teeth before replacing your trays in your mouth at lunchtime?)
• If you qualify as a treatable case for clear aligners or not

The bottom line: we’re on a mission to support your oral health, and whether you need clear aligners or braces, we’re here to support you on that journey. To find out which type of orthodontic treatment is best for you, give us a call at our Hercules, California, office at 510-254-3328. You can also request a consultation online.