Metal braces have been around for a long time and are still the most common type of braces used today. But an increasing number of people are moving away from metal braces to plastic aligners like Invisalign because they offer several advantages over traditional metal braces. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why people are choosing Invisalign over metal braces.
Plastic aligners are more comfortable than metal braces.
One of the biggest complaints about metal braces is that they are uncomfortable. They can cause pain and irritation in the mouth, especially when they rub against the gums. Plastic aligners, on the other hand, do not cause any pain or irritation because they are made from soft plastic that fits comfortably over your teeth. Traditional metal braces make it difficult for patients to care for their teeth because the wires and brackets can trap food particles between them, causing tooth decay or gum disease. This is not a problem with plastic aligners like Invisalign because there are no wires that can trap food particles. Patients wearing these types of braces don’t have to worry about caring for their teeth as much as they do when wearing metal braces.
Plastic aligners require less time with your braces on.
Metal braces require patients to wear their braces for 20-23 hours per day so they can move their teeth into their new positions as quickly as possible. But studies have shown that people wearing plastic aligners like Invisalign only need to wear them 22 hours per day because they are more effective than metal braces at moving teeth into the right position.
Although some orthodontists might charge the same amount for each type of brace, most orthodontists charge less for plastic aligners because they do not require much work from you or your orthodontist after you get them fitted for your teeth. Of course, this will depend on your specific case and how long you’ll need to wear your plastic aligners.
Metal braces take longer to straighten teeth than plastic aligners.
Traditional metal braces can take up to 2 years while some types of plastic aligners like Invisalign allow you to complete the entire treatment in just 6 months. Of course, this is assuming that your teeth are relatively easy to straighten, otherwise, it might take more time with either type of brace. Plastic aligners are more effective at moving teeth into their new positions because they do not have any wires that can cause your teeth to move in unwanted directions. This is why plastic aligners provide the best treatment outcomes among all types of braces in most cases.
Metal braces are more difficult to clean when caring for your teeth.
People wearing metal braces have a hard time when it comes to brushing and flossing their teeth because the wires, brackets, and rubber bands can trap a lot of food particles between them. This causes tooth decay or gum disease so they need to pay extra attention to taking care of their teeth while wearing metal braces. As mentioned earlier, people wearing plastic aligners have an easier time caring for their teeth because there are no wires that can trap food particles—so you only need to brush and floss around the aligners instead of removing them from your mouth each time you want to clean your teeth.
People wearing metal braces tend to remove appliances more often compared with those wearing plastic aligners.
If you’re wearing metal braces, you’ll need to remove your appliances and clean them every day and night before putting them back in your mouth which takes more time than cleaning plastic aligners that can be brushed when they are taken out of your mouth.
Along with the advantages of being easier to clean, plastic aligners also have another advantage which is that they can be removed when you want to eat or brush your teeth. This allows you to enjoy a wider variety of foods compared with metal braces are more limited in what they can eat because there are sharp edges on brackets and wires which you need to avoid at all costs. As mentioned earlier, plastic aligners allow your orthodontist to use different appliances that increase the effectiveness of tooth straightening so besides being easier for patients wearing them, they are also cheaper. Metal braces only offer rubber bands as an extra appliance so it’s only effective with some cases but not for most cases.
Plastic aligners offer a faster treatment time compared with metal braces.
As mentioned above, some types of plastic aligners allow you to complete the entire treatment in just 6 months while metal braces need at least 2 years to straighten teeth completely. Of course, this is assuming that your teeth are relatively easy to straighten since there are cases when people wearing metal braces also see their teeth move into place quickly
So why choose plastic aligners? Most people have a hard time caring for the wires and brackets on their teeth every day especially when they eat food. In addition, it’s challenging for them to remove appliances several times a day before brushing or flossing which takes more time than cleaning plastic aligners that can be brushed when they are taken out of your mouth. Furthermore, plastic aligners provide better treatment outcomes thanks to the use of different appliances and it takes less time for you to complete your entire treatment because some types of plastic aligners allow you to finish in just 6 months while metal braces need at least 2 years to straighten teeth completely.
If you’re not sure whether to choose metal braces or plastic aligners, the best way to find out which type of teeth straightening treatment is right for you is by consulting an orthodontist like BOP Braces. Our team of orthodontists is all highly skilled professionals who can help you determine whether metal braces or plastic aligners are the right fit for your teeth. Call us today to schedule an appointment if you need more information about either type of braces!
The benefits of clear braces, also known as ceramic braces, over traditional metal braces have been well documented by dentists and patients alike. While both types of braces serve the same purpose, there are several reasons why ceramic braces have become increasingly popular among adults and children seeking treatment.