Aligners vs Braces in Westfield, IN: Choosing the Right Orthodontic Treatment
POV: “My orthodontist gave me the option of traditional braces or clear aligners…which one is better, and how do I choose?!”
The short answer is: Both options are effective for correcting misaligned teeth, but the best choice depends on your unique needs and lifestyle. In this guide, we’ll compare the pros and cons of aligners and braces to help you make an informed decision.
When comparing aligners vs braces in Westfield in Westfield, IN, patients are often faced with the decision of whether to go with clear aligners or traditional braces to achieve their goals. The fact is that braces and aligners differ in various aspects. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision tailored to your lifestyle and dental needs.
First Things First
Most importantly, both braces and aligners are TOOLS used by skilled orthodontists to straighten teeth and enhance smiles, but it’s the skill and artistry of the DOCTOR that delivers the final result (your BEST smile!) that you’re investing in, not the particular product itself. There are lots of different bracket systems and aligner companies, just as there are many brands of artist paintbrushes that an artist may choose from…but you wouldn’t simply buy a specific artist’s brush and expect to magically create a DaVinci masterpiece! Choosing the doctor that you feel will give you the best result is the most important consideration in this entire process (check out our transformations here!). Okay, now to the nuances, distinctions, pros & cons for each option…
Understanding Traditional Braces
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the teeth, connected by wires to move the teeth to their desired position. They apply continuous, gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into the desired position. While effective for a wide range of orthodontic issues, they are particularly beneficial for complex cases involving significant misalignment or bite problems.
Traditional braces these days have come a long way from where they started long ago! Not your grandma’s braces anymore. Brackets are now smaller and more comfortable than in years past, allowing all the benefits of traditional braces while minimizing the downside. Not only are there options for traditional metal, but there are also clear ceramic braces for those who prefer a more discreet smile transformation. Here at our office in Westfield, IN, Dr. Titus uses the Pitts bracket system as the “paintbrush” of choice to deliver his artistically crafted smiles, all while using the lightest forces for maximum patient comfort.
Advantages of Traditional Braces:
● Versatility: Effective for treating the entire spectrum of orthodontic issues, from mild to most complex.
● Less to Think About: You don’t have to worry about remembering to wear your braces...they’re always on your teeth and always working toward your final result!
● Constant Correction: As they are fixed, they work continuously without the need for patient intervention.
● Variety: Options like ceramic braces offer a less noticeable appearance.
Considerations:
● Aesthetics: While some people choose braces almost as a fashion statement, you will have brackets on your teeth. Of course, this can be a concern for some individuals who are hesitant about the appearance of braces.
● Diet: The truth is you can eat most foods even with braces. The braces are meant to help you…but the only way they can help is if they stay stuck to your teeth. Certain foods that can break brackets either need to be avoided or eaten differently (for example, don’t bite right into an apple with braces on, but just cut it up into manageable slices and you’re good to go).
● Oral Hygiene: Regardless if you are wearing braces or not, meticulous oral hygiene is crucial for the health of your teeth. Working around brackets and wires does require more attention to detail to prevent plaque buildup around brackets and wires.
Exploring Clear Aligners
Clear aligners (everyone knows of the name brand “Invisalign”) are clear, removable, plastic trays that are custom-made for you, that fit snugly over your teeth. Each tray is slightly different from the last, and as you work through the series of aligners over time the teeth move incrementally toward your final result. They are removable and replaced every one to two weeks to gradually shift teeth into alignment. An essential feature in order for the aligner to effectively “grip” the teeth to move them, many of the teeth may have “attachments” bonded to them (tooth colored bumps that are bonded to the teeth that correspond to the desired tooth movement/direction).
The specific tooth movements are meticulously planned by Dr. Titus using computer software to achieve the smile goals that are addressed at your consultation at our office. This is an approach that often appeals to those super-compliant patients who are seeking a discreet orthodontic solution.
Advantages of Clear Aligners:
● Appearance: Nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for adults and teens concerned about aesthetics.
● Removability: Easily removable for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, allowing for you to care for your teeth and simplified oral hygiene.
● Comfort: Made of smooth plastic, reducing the likelihood of gum and cheek irritation.
Considerations:
● Discipline: This is the biggest one! Simply put, the aligners will only work if you wear them. In order for the teeth to move, aligner treatment requires the patient to commit to wearing them 24/7 - the only time they are removed is to eat and brush your teeth. Okay, more like 22 hours, then. ;)
● Complexity Limitations: It’s actually quite astounding the type of results we can get using clear aligner technology these days, even with complex cases. However, certain tooth movements are much more difficult with aligners compared to braces, so it may not be suitable for certain scenarios in order to ensure that your treatment result remains uncompromised.
● Cost: This is not always the case in all practices, but actually in our office, there is no price difference between braces and aligners!
Maintenance and Hygiene
Braces are much more of an auto-pilot solution. Maintenance for braces is much more of simply protecting them so they can stay on the teeth! Aligners require a super-compliant patient who will be diligent about wearing their aligners full-time for the duration of treatment
Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial during orthodontic treatment, regardless of which treatment appliance is used, braces or aligners. Traditional braces require diligent cleaning around brackets and wires. In contrast, clear aligners are removable, allowing for normal brushing and flossing routines.
Effectiveness
Both traditional braces and clear aligners are effective in treating a variety of orthodontic issues. Sometimes one can be more effective for certain tooth movements or scenarios than the other. If we expect the same result from either option, Dr. Titus will give you the option and let you decide! However, if using one appliance rather than the other will affect the final result, we will be honest and upfront about the limitations so that you can make an informed decision. After all, it’s the result you’re investing in, not the brackets or aligners!
Lifestyle Decision, Know Thyself
The choice of braces vs. aligners in the end is more of a lifestyle decision, and being honest about how well you know yourself. Dr. Matthew Miller, an experienced orthodontist in Rocky Point, NY, agrees that factors like compliance, aesthetics, and comfort should weigh heavily in making the right choice for each individual patient.
Are you a frequent snacker? Don’t love the thought of having to remove something from your teeth to eat or drink? Tend to lose things often? Benefit from a more auto-pilot solution? Would you tend to remove an appliance if it felt uncomfortable rather than working through the discomfort until it resolved? Sounds like braces would be best for your lifestyle.
Do you value esthetics over convenience? Are you responsible, compliant, and diligent in other areas of your life? Are you enticed by the fact that you wouldn’t have to adjust to brackets on your teeth? Sounds like aligners would be a good fit for you.
Cost Comparison: Aligners vs Braces in Westfield, IN
At our office in Westfield, there is no difference in cost between braces and aligners. Other factors like the duration of treatment, complexity of the case, and insurance coverage will influence pricing. Most orthodontic treatments range between $4,000-$6,500, and flexible financing options are available to fit your budget.
Conclusion: Orthodontics Is a Craft, Not a Product
Both traditional braces and clear aligners have unique advantages and considerations. Assessing your specific orthodontic needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences is crucial in making the right choice. It's important to remember that all orthodontic appliances, whether aligners or braces, are simply tools used by a skilled doctor. You're not investing in the appliance itself—you're investing in the expertise, precision, and care of the orthodontist who customizes and executes your treatment plan. Orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all product; it is a highly specialized craft that requires training, artistry, and attention to detail. Choosing the right doctor is more important than choosing the right appliance.
FAQs and Frequent Comments
Q: “But don’t braces hurt?! I keep hearing people say they’re so painful”
With anything new in the mouth, including BOTH braces AND aligners, there is an initial adjustment period. The cheeks, lips, tongue, and teeth take a bit of time to get used to their new normal. For aligners it’s more of getting used to talking, the cheeks and tongue feeling new surfaces/edges, and getting used to taking them in and out. For braces, it’s the cheeks and lips getting used to having the brackets on the teeth. Both are an adjustment.
Whenever we move teeth, whether with braces or aligners (the teeth don’t know!), teeth get sore. That’s just how our biology works. But don’t fear! I promise, the soreness doesn’t last forever. With braces, after the first week your braces will feel like a natural part of you and you won’t notice them anymore. With aligners, each time you move to a new tray your teeth will be sore for a couple days, and then it feels normal.
Q: “Do braces work faster than clear aligners? Or vice versa?”
Treatment times vary based on individual cases and the specific treatment goals. For comprehensive treatment, we typically expect the same treatment times for both traditional braces and aligners. The vast majority of our patients’ treatments are completed in 18 months or less.
The exception here is for the folks who fall into the I-had-braces-before-and-didn’t-wear-my-retainer-and-now-this-one-tooth-has-moved camp (yes ;) I’m looking at you) and need just a quick tune up. Typically aligners are much more efficient to address specific teeth while keeping the rest of the teeth as they are. Often this can be accomplished in just 2-6 months!
Q: “How often do I need to visit the orthodontist for adjustments or checks?”
It’s important to see your orthodontist routinely to ensure that your treatment stays on track and goes as efficiently as possible. Staying on track with your appointments will be a big factor in making sure you’re not in treatment longer than necessary.
With braces, typically you would see your orthodontist for appointments every 6-12 weeks initially (depending on certain factors), and sometimes as frequent as every 4-6 weeks as you get closer to the end of treatment.
With aligners, your appointment intervals are often every 8-12 weeks, depending where you are in treatment. Busy professionals who have a harder time making routine appointments can sometimes benefit from the increased flexibility that clear aligner treatment provides.
Have any more questions? Ask them and we’ll be happy to answer them!
About the Authors:
Dr. Sam Titus, DDS, MS: Orthodontist in Westfield, IN
Dr. Matthew Miller: Orthodontist in Rocky Point, NY
