Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing a crooked smile? Maybe you feel self-conscious about your teeth, or perhaps you have trouble properly flossing between teeth that are crowded or misaligned.
You’re not alone. Many adults find themselves struggling with misaligned teeth. Luckily, orthodontic care has become more approachable, effective, and customizable than ever before—especially for adults over the age of 35. Clear aligners work well for many of our patients, but modern orthodontic braces are also far more comfortable and convenient than the kind our parents wore.
So, are braces or clear aligners the better choice? The short answer is, “it depends.” The longer and more helpful answer, well… that’s “talk to your dentist, and also consider the factors below!”
Comfort
There is, unfortunately, some discomfort associated with both braces and clear aligners. With braces, patients tend to experience some jaw aches and pains in the days after each appointment when the braces are tightened. With clear aligners, the discomfort is most noticeable after you switch to a new set of aligners, since this is when the most pressure is being placed on your teeth.
Clear aligners do tend to cause less mouth irritation than braces. They sit smoothly against your teeth, so there are no rough edges to irritate your cheeks or tongue. The brackets on traditional braces can rub on your tongue and cheeks, causing abrasions and irritation. This typically becomes less of an issue after the first few weeks, as your oral tissues toughen up and adapt. Applying dental wax to the brackets and wires can go a long way towards reducing irritation, too.
Appearance
Appearance is one of the top concerns our patients bring up when discussing braces vs aligners. Not surprisingly, clear aligners are tough to beat when it comes to appearance. When you’re wearing them, they’re almost impossible for others to see, unless someone looks at your mouth very closely. They can also be removed, so you can pop them out before a big interview or professional engagement if they make you feel self-conscious. (We don’t suggest doing this often, but once in a while is okay!)
To keep your clear aligners truly clear and invisible, you do have to “follow the rules” when wearing them. You should only ever drink water with them in place. Coffee, red wine, tea, and even juice can stain and yellow them—not to mention, increase your risk of cavities by becoming trapped between your teeth and the aligner tray.
Braces are visible on your teeth; there’s really no way around that. However, if we find that braces are your best treatment choice for other reasons, there are steps we can take for more discreet teeth straightening. White ceramic braces and clear braces are far less visible than traditional metal ones. It’s also important to note that from a societal perspective, adults wearing braces has become far more normalized in recent years. So your coworkers and peers are not as likely to judge, comment on, or even notice your braces as you might think.
Lifestyle Impact
Braces and clear aligners will both affect your lifestyle, but in different ways.
Braces And Your Lifestyle
When wearing braces, you will need to avoid eating overly crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods. For example, you won’t be able to bite into an apple; you’ll need to cut it into slices. And gooey caramels and most gummy candies will be off limits during treatment.
Braces also call for some changes to your dental hygiene routine:
- You’ll need to brush around each bracket very carefully and thoroughly to remove food particles and avoid plaque buildup.
- A water flosser will become your new favorite tool for cleaning between the teeth.
- You’ll want to carry a toothbrush, floss, and other tools with you for on-the-go refreshes.
If you’re an athlete, especially one who participates in contact sports, you’ll need to be extra careful when wearing braces, but you can still wear a mouthguard. A blow to the face can cause internal cheek injuries from the brackets.
Clear Aligners And Your Lifestyle
Clear aligners are removable. In some ways, that makes living with them easier than living with braces. You take them out to eat, which means you won’t have to modify your diet in any way. You also take them out to brush and floss your teeth, so you can maintain a good oral hygiene routine without having to be overly meticulous. Plus, since clear aligners are smooth, they are much safer for athletes to wear.
There are, however, still some lifestyle modifications associated with clear aligners:
- You’ll need to carry a case with you so you can remove them before eating.
- You’ll need to remember to change your aligners when recommended by your dentist.
- It can take a week or two to get used to speaking clearly with the aligners in place.
- Since you can only sip water when the aligners are in place, you may have to reconsider your coffee habits!
Cost
When discussing braces versus clear aligners, Orange City residents often ask us which one is cheaper. Unfortunately, there isn’t one cut-and-dried answer to that question. For some patients, braces are more affordable; for others, clear aligners turn out to be the more budget-friendly choice.
Here are a few of the most important factors that affect the relative cost of braces vs aligners:
- Treatment Period Length: While the “equipment” for braces tends to be cheaper, clear aligners often straighten teeth faster than braces, which can mean fewer appointments and a lower total cost for some patients.
- Misalignment Severity: Are any of your teeth twisted or overlapping? This increases the complexity of orthodontic care. Depending on the exact nature of your misalignment, one option may be more easily adapted and therefore cheaper than the other.
- Treatment Plan Adherence: If you think you may struggle to maintain great oral hygiene with braces, clear aligners may be more affordable in the long run. They make it easier to avoid cavities and tooth decay, which costs more to treat.
The best way to get a good idea of cost is to schedule a consultation with a dentist who offers a variety of adult orthodontics that DeBary residents are pleased with. Your dentist can fully assess your smile, talk to you about your dental habits and goals, and give you more precise estimates to consider.
Modern braces and clear aligners are both good choices for adults who desire straighter teeth. Which option is best really depends on your preferences about comfort, appearance, lifestyle changes, and cost. To further explore both options, don’t hesitate to contact Orange City Modern Dentistry. We offer Invisalign alternatives that Deltona patients have been highly satisfied with – including SureSmile® Clear Aligners, a high-tech, customizable system for advanced straightening. Dr. Labrada and our staff will be happy to tell you more!