October is Orthodontic Health Month! At Premier Orthodontics, we understand straight teeth are often healthy teeth. Straight teeth are easier to clean, and can support better chewing, digestion, and speech.
Sometimes, having crooked teeth can hurt your confidence and make you feel less enthusiastic about laughing and smiling.
The American Association of Orthodontics reports that 75% of surveyed patients had career or personal relationship improvements after wearing braces. And 92% of those surveyed said they would recommend orthodontic treatment to others.
In 2021, there are plenty of ways to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without having to wear traditional braces. From clear aligners to clear braces and more, learn about your options for straightening your teeth at Premier Orthodontics.
What Are Clear Braces?
Clear orthodontic products like clear braces and clear aligners are less noticeable than traditional braces and work just as efficiently to straighten your teeth. Clear braces have clear brackets for a more discreet look over traditional braces.
How Do Clear Braces Work?
Just like traditional braces, clear braces use a wire and bracket system to move your teeth into the right position.
What Are Clear Braces Made of?
Clear braces can be made of a variety of materials including ceramic, porcelain, or plastic to look just like your teeth.You can also have the brackets matched to the natural color of your teeth, which makes it more difficult for others to notice them.
What Are the Benefits of Clear Braces?
Compared to traditional braces, clear braces may be more comfortable to wear because they have smaller, rounder brackets, and are often made of ceramic material. This makes them less likely to cause discomfort or irritate your gums.
The adhesives used for clear braces are also easier on your teeth than those used for metal braces. This helps protect your tooth enamel, too.
Clear braces are permanently attached to your teeth until the end of your treatment, so you don’t have to worry about keeping your aligners inor misplacing them. This makes clear braces a great option if you don’t like having to remove an aligner to eat, drink, or brush your teeth.
What Are the Cons of Clear Braces?
While clear braces are less noticeable than traditional braces, they’re not as discrete as clear aligners.
Just like with regular braces, you’ll want to avoid eating certain foods that are chewy, crunchy, sticky, hard, or require biting into (like an apple). If you don’t mind missing out on some of the foods you usually enjoy, you could be a great candidate for clear braces.
Are Clear Braces for You?
Clear braces are a convenient option if you’re looking to realign your teeth in a way that’s less noticeable and doesn’t involve removing aligners in order to eat or drink.
Learn more about our clear braces options >
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners fit over your teeth like a thin, clear mouth guard. They’re virtually invisible, so no one will know you’re wearing them.
Clear aligners — like Invisalign — are removable and easy to clean when you’re not wearing them. And because they don’t have metal brackets or wires, they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Similar to braces, clear aligners put gentle pressure on your teeth to straighten them. For the best results, your orthodontist may have you alternate between several pairs of aligners throughout your treatment plan.
What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners?
With clear aligners, you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. Many people love the fact that clear aligners are nearly invisible!
Clear aligners can also straighten your teeth quickly. While most braces patients require 12 to 24 months of treatment, patients who have clear aligners may see straight teeth in as little as 6 to 12 months.
Clear aligners are a great option if you want to still enjoy certain foods and drinks like popcorn, candy, nuts, tea, or anything else that can damage braces. Because you remove your aligners while eating and drinking, certain foods or drinks can’t damage them.
What Are the Cons of Clear Aligners?
The pro of clear aligners is also the con: if you’re a foodie or your social life revolves around enjoying food and drinks with your friends, having your clear aligners out for more than a few hours a day can alter how effective they are at straightening your teeth.
Are Clear Aligners Right for You?
Clear aligners are the way to go if you want a discreet way to straighten your teeth. Maintaining proper dental hygiene is also easier with clear aligners than with braces. You can thoroughly clean your teeth and gums without wires or brackets getting in the way.
Learn more about clear aligners >
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a popular provider of clear aligners that many orthodontists carry — including Premier Orthodontics. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing way to get a bright smile.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
Because these clear aligners help straighten your teeth fast, Invisalign promotes better dental health. Invisalign can treat a variety of orthodontic issues, including:
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Cross bite
What Are the Cons of Invisalign?
The cons of Invisalign are the same for clear aligners: you must take them out when you eat or drink, but shouldn’t leave them out for more than a few hours a day. Invisalign may also be more expensive than generic clear aligners.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign may be a good option if your dental issues aren’t severe, such as a large overbite or gapped teeth. If your teeth require more complex treatment, your orthodontist might consider options like metal or clear braces.
Invisalign clear aligners may also be right for you if you’re an older teenager or adult looking for a discreet way to straighten your teeth. Children and younger teens aren’t the best candidates for this orthodontic treatment because their teeth and mouths are still growing.
Learn more about Invisalign treatments with Premier Orthodontics >
Get Your Dream Smile at Premier Orthodontics
Here at Premier Orthodontics, we provide Invisalign, clear aligners, and clear braces to our patients who want to achieve a straighter smile without wearing traditional braces.
These clear orthodontic options work to straighten your teeth quickly while being less noticeable and more comfortable to wear. Clear braces and aligners blend so well with your teeth, you might even forget you’re wearing them!
Schedule a free consultation to find the best orthodontic option for you >