Like your car or home, your smile and bite may require some maintenance and repairs to remain in working order. Good thing we’ve got cosmetic dentistry — orthodontics to be precise!

Harnessing the incredible power of orthodontics to restore your smile to its brilliant best calls for some vital decisions. For those seeking symmetry and a perfectly aligned bite, these don’t get much more crucial than “Traditional braces or clear aligners?"

Let’s better understand the pros and cons of each option!

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces: How Does Each Work?

Clear aligners are a vital innovation in orthodontics. These treatment systems employ a series of sets of clear, mouthpiece-like aligners to gradually and discreetly guide a person’s teeth into proper alignment. The aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours a day, with removal only for brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking anything other than water. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, with the full treatment typically requiring 12 to 18 months.

Traditional metal braces, meanwhile, use brackets attached to teeth and connected by wires. Through periodic adjustments by an orthodontist, these wires and brackets move teeth into position. Unlike clear aligners, braces exert consistent pressure, encouraging gradual alignment.

Both solutions effectively address issues like misalignment, overcrowding, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Generally, clear aligners are best suited for mild to moderate misalignment, while more severe cases call for traditional braces.

Comfort and Convenience vs. Flawless Function

Clear aligners are removable, allowing for easier eating, brushing, and flossing, and virtually no aesthetic impact during treatment. As they’re not fixed in place like traditional braces, clear aligners also tend to cause less discomfort and irritation to the mouth and gums and require fewer follow-up office visits.

However, traditional braces provide more consistent corrective pressure on teeth, ensuring reliable results, especially in more severe cases, since they’re not dependent on patient adherence and discipline (20-22 hours every day) for optimal results.

Smile Restoration with Orthodontics and Clear Aligners in Seymour, TN

If you’re looking for a dentist in Seymour to help you navigate all your cosmetic dentistry needs, including dental realignment with traditional braces or clear aligners, contact the friendly and helpful Seymour Dental Associates team to schedule a consultation!