Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their smile due to crooked, gapped, or crowded teeth and jaw misalignment. Misaligned teeth can also cause serious oral health problems, including decay and gum disease. Fortunately, there are many modern orthodontic treatment options that dentists use to treat malocclusions.
Orthodontic treatment uses devices to reposition teeth along the periodontal membrane. Orthodontic devices, such as traditional metal braces, make it possible to achieve a beautifully straight smile that can boost confidence and eliminate dental issues such as wear and tear on misaligned teeth and tooth decay.
However, many patients prefer a more discrete teeth straightening device, and wonder: “should I get clear braces?” The right option depends on the nature and severity of the malocclusion.
Why You Might Need Braces
There are numerous reasons why you might need braces. If you have teeth that grow at an angle, overlap, or have gaps between them, braces can reposition them for a straightener and healthier smile. If you have an overbite, underbite, or a crossbite, orthodontic treatment can align your bite, making chewing and speaking easier.
Crooked teeth may make you feel self-conscious when smiling or talking. If you are uncomfortable talking to others, it can lead to withdrawal from social and work situations, negatively affecting your mental health.
There are also potential physical issues, as you may be unable to chew your food correctly. Food and debris can lodge between your teeth and gums, enabling the spread of bacteria, causing tooth decay and gum disease.
At Sydney Dental Group, we use the latest techniques and orthodontic treatments to maintain your oral health and give you a smile you are proud to share.
Should I Get Clear Braces?
Many people associate orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces that can be uncomfortable and noticeable. However, clear braces are discrete, comfortable, and affordable, making them an excellent alternative to traditional metal braces.
Clear braces, also known as ceramic braces, have a similar construction to traditional metal braces, using brackets and wires that are gradually tightened and adjusted to move teeth. However, they use clear or tooth-coloured plastic or ceramic for the brackets instead of metal.
Clear braces are ideal for treating moderate to severe misalignment and complex orthodontic issues. But, because they are less noticeable when you are wearing them, clear braces can make you feel less self-conscious about undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile.
Clear braces are also more comfortable than metal braces, as the brackets have a rounded shape and a smooth texture that reduces lip and gum irritation.
The bonding agent used to attach the ceramic brackets to your teeth won’t demineralise your teeth. It is easy to remove once your treatment is over, minimising damage to your tooth enamel.
What Are The Alternatives to Clear Braces?
While clear braces are effective for treating a wide range of orthodontic issues, aligner trays are an excellent option for mild to moderate misalignment. The clear trays fit perfectly over your teeth and are almost invisible. They also offer a faster and more comfortable way to achieve a straighter smile.
Invisalign and ClearCorrect treatments use custom thermoplastic trays to reposition teeth. During your consultation, your dentist takes a 3D digital scan of your mouth. This data is entered into a software program that predicts the progress of your teeth throughout your treatment. This information is sent to an off-site dental lab where your aligner trays are fabricated.
When your trays are ready, your dentist shows you how to fit and clean them, and provides you with a schedule to change each tray. You wear each set for 22 hours per day for one to two weeks. As you change the trays, your teeth conform to the mould’s shape, gradually becoming straighter.
You can remove the aligners to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. This means that, unlike traditional metal braces, you do not need to modify your diet or oral hygiene routine.
One of the downsides to aligner trays is that you have to keep them in for the required amount of time to ensure they work correctly. Removing a tray too early could negatively impact results and lead to an extended treatment period.
Not everyone is a candidate for clear aligners. If you have teeth that require vertical adjustment or rotated over 20°, clear or metal braces are a better option to help you achieve the beautifully straight teeth you desire.
Let Sydney Dental Group Give You a Beautiful Straight Smile
Orthodontic treatment is often essential to ensure good oral health. Without proper oral hygiene, you can develop tooth decay, gum disease, and teeth can become crooked and require remedial care.
Traditional metal braces are an effective treatment option for complex alignment issues, but many patients prefer clear braces because they are comfortable and discrete.
At Sydney Dental Group, we use modern techniques and the highest-quality materials to provide you with excellent orthodontic treatment. If you’re concerned about your teeth’ appearance or are asking yourself, “should I get clear braces?” schedule a consultation with Sydney Dental Group in Baulkham Hills at (02) 9158 6135 to discuss your orthodontic treatment options.
Introduction Navigating the nuances of day-to-day life following a dental procedure often bewilders many of us. After getting a dental Read more
