Clear Aligner Tips: Are These Really Better Than Braces?

When it comes to clear aligner tips, many people often find themselves wondering if these devices are better than traditional braces. It is a natural question to ask considering the fact metal braces have been the go-to solution for straightening teeth for several decades.

Traditional braces are also the cheapest alternative when it comes to orthodontic devices, so patients who need to have their teeth straightened often find themselves wondering if the higher costs of clear braces are justified.

Let us take a closer look at the pros and cons of these two popular types of teeth straightening devices.

Clear braces vs. traditional metal braces

1. Traditional braces

Traditional braces have been used to straighten teeth for over a century. These devices consist of metal brackets that are placed on each tooth and wires that connect the brackets. The device helps to address alignment issues by applying pressure evenly on the wearer's tooth of a period of time, slowly pushing it into the proper position.

Metal braces have come a long way. While these devices remain highly visible in the wearer's mouth, they have become more stylish over the years.

Pros

• Very effective when used to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues
• The most affordable option when it comes to dealing with alignment issues
• Modern devices can be customized with colors and logos to make them more stylish

Cons

• Not the most subtle option available
• Food particles tend to get stuck in the brackets
• Can be difficult to clean
• The device makes the wearer's teeth more susceptible to staining

2. Clear braces

Clear braces have changed the way people look at orthodontic treatments. Gone are the days when people had no choice but to deal with visible braces when they had to straighten their teeth. These devices often led to kids and teenagers being bullied at school, and it plain looks awkward on most adults.

As the name implies, clear braces make it possible to improve the alignment of teeth without broadcasting what the patient is doing to those they interact with.

The way clear braces work, patients are given a series of trays that look somewhat like mouth guards. Each tray is worn for a period of around two weeks, and each one in the series pushes the person's teeth a bit closer to the desired position than the last tray did. There are also lots of clear aligner tips that can make using these devices more effective.

Pros

• The device is not noticeable in the wearer's mouth
• Comes off easily for meals and cleanings
• More comfortable to wear than traditional metal braces

Cons

• More expensive than traditional braces
• Not as effective as metal braces are for certain orthodontic issues
• Trays can be easily lost or misplaced
• Patients have to be disciplined enough to have the device inserted for at least 22 hours each day to ensure optimal results

Talk to a dentist today

Request a dental appointment here: https://www.atidentalcare.com or call ATI Dental Care at (630) 364-2554 for an appointment in our Naperville dental office.