Braces vs Aligners

BRACES VS ALIGNERS 

Braces for Teens and Adults

Metal braces are the traditional, highly effective way of straightening teeth. Some wrap around the teeth, while others are glued to the surface.

 Some people hesitate to begin treatment due to the physical and social discomfort of metal braces.  

Self-ligating brackets have recently become popular with kids and adults alike. These use a spring clip to hold in the wires, rather than ties and chains.

Ceramic brackets are made of a crystalline, composite, or glass material. These have been made more durable with new technology.

Certain braces are more delicate than others, and will have dietary restrictions.

Food restrictions include: crunchy and sticky hard foods, including nuts, pretzels (depending on the type of braces), bright and stain-prone foods, including wine, beets, turmeric.

These foods are often off-limits since they may snap the brackets or wires, or stain the bracket if they are clear.

If not cautious with the foods you eat while wearing braces, you are at higher risk for snapping a bracket/wire and/or increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Brushing around traditional braces can be difficult; plaque and bacteria can build up around the braces which also increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Aligners For Teens 

Teens who are self-conscious about their appearance don't have to be worried about smiling in public when wearing aligners 

Wearing aligners won't interrupt their appearance for class pictures and selfies

Aligners can also be safely worn during sports and gym class without the worry of injury to tongue or cheeks, as with metal braces.

Although aligners are convenient, they are also easy to misplace. Teens tend to forget to put them away in their storage box, or forget to put them back on. 

Aligners For adults 

wearing aligners allows you to maintain a polished, professional image rather than having to deal with the look of metal braces

Wearing aligners is also more comfortable than wearing braces for most patients.

Though you may experience some aching and soreness, especially in the first few days after switching to a new aligner, there are no metal brackets or wires to irritate your gums. 

Custom aligners will feel smooth against the cheeks and tongue.

Aligners may also allow you to maintain better dental hygiene than traditional braces. Since you remove your aligners before brushing, you are able to keep your teeth very clean. Brushing around traditional braces can be difficult; plaque and bacteria can build up around the braces, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

With Aligners, there are no dietary restrictions. Patients are able to continue eating all of their favorite crunchy and hard foods, including nuts, apples, and pretzels.

Make an appointment with our orthodontist at Gentle Care Dental in Los Angeles.