A straight smile is a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, most people aren’t born with perfectly even teeth. If you’d love to enhance the appearance of your crooked, uneven, or overcrowded teeth, the friendly team at Walnut Creek Dental can help. With so many professional teeth straightening options available, undergoing orthodontic treatment has never been faster, more convenient, or more affordable. Here’s what you should know about weighing the pros and cons of clear aligners and traditional braces as you consider all of your treatment options.
Orthodontic treatment is used to diagnose, treat, and prevent problems with the position of a person’s teeth and/or jaw alignment. Depending on the technique and condition of the patient’s mouth, orthodontic treatment can be administered by a general dentist or a dentist who specializes in proper teeth, and jaw alignment called an orthodontist.
Often referred to as Invisalign treatment or Invisalign aligners, clear aligners are a form of clear braces. The main difference of clear aligners is the convenience that comes with clear aligner therapy. With more traditional braces treatment, metal brackets are glued to your teeth and adjusted to help you get straight teeth. Removable clear aligners are plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly. Each set of trays is replaced by new ones every two to three weeks to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. It’s important for clear aligners to be worn at least 22 hours a day, however, they can be taken out for you to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Clear aligners can offer a number of benefits, including being a discreet, convenient, and comfortable way to achieve the radiant smile you have in mind.
Clear aligners have come a long way. With a proper treatment plan, clear aligner treatment can treat many of the same issues as traditional metal braces, including:
While clear aligners are a great treatment option to resolve many orthodontic problems, they do have some limitations. Clear aligners may not be the appropriate approach for some more complex cases:
The length of treatment will vary depending on each patient. In most cases, clear aligners can effectively correct orthodontic concerns in as little as 12-18 months. In order to achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time, it’s important to wear your clear aligners as directed.
The cost of Invisalign or clear aligners will depend on your dental insurance coverage and your anticipated treatment time. For more information on what your dental insurance plan includes or the cost of clear aligners, please contact our dental office.
Metal braces are an effective way to resolve an array of minor and complex orthodontic concerns. While this is true, metal braces come with a few disadvantages, including:
When it comes to choosing the best orthodontic treatment option for you, it’s important to consider your specific lifestyle. Clear aligners can be very beneficial for individuals who are interested in straightening their teeth discreetly and conveniently, however, metal braces may be a better option for you if you’re concerned about wearing your clear aligners 22+ hours a day.
You deserve to have the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always wanted. At Walnut Creek Dental in Groveport OH, our experienced team can help you improve the health and appearance of your smile in as little as 18 months with clear aligners. To learn more about the ways clear aligners can benefit you and determine if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners, contact us today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to showing you how convenient enhancing the beauty of your smile can be!
Call 614-864-2466 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
