Clear Braces
No one enjoys having braces in cleveland tx but there is no doubt they are incredibly beneficial not only aesthetically but for the overall health of our teeth and gums. Clear braces are an advancement that has been made in the orthodontic field that can be a huge advantage to you young patients and adults alike. While it is more beneficial for patients to receive orthodontic treatment as teenagers since the teeth and jaw are still developing, adults are able to receive orthodontic treatment as well.
Clear a liner therapy is another form of clear braces that works beautifully. Both clear braces and clear aligners can give you a healthy smile to be proud of! Your orthodontist will help you determine if you are a candidate for clear braces or clear liner therapy. Some patients have more extensive movement to achieve and may require the use of traditional metal braces.
How does clear aligner therapy work?
The most popular brand of clear aligner therapy is Invisalign. Clear aligner therapy uses clear plastic “trays“ that are worn over the entire arch of the top and bottom to slowly shift teeth to their desired position. The trays are worn for at least 20 hours each day and should only be removed for eating. It is important to brush your teeth after every meal so that no food is trapped while you have your tray in. Also, make sure that you do not drink hot beverages with your tray in your mouth as they can become warped.
Your orthodontist or dentist may be able to give you multiple sets of trays that you can change on your own every 10 to 14 days. Sometimes, you will still need to visit your provider so that they are able to track your progress and make sure everything is moving as it should. As with braces, you may have some soreness for a couple of days every time you change trays.
For the most part, clear aligner therapy can be completed between six and 18 months. Cases that require more movement may take a little longer.
What are the benefits between clear braces vs metal braces?
Both clear and metal braces use a system of brackets and wires to shift your teeth. In both cases brackets are cemented onto each tooth and an arch wire is threaded through the brackets and held in place with bands. The arch wire is periodically tightened to shift your teeth and close gaps. Braces do take a bit longer than clear aligners ranging from 18 to 24 months.
Clear braces work much the same as metal braces. Clear braces use brackets that are fabricated using either a plastic polycarbonate or a clear ceramic material. As with metal braces, a wire is used to connect the brackets but instead of a silver arch wire, the arch wire for clear braces is usually white and is much less obvious than silver metal.
Another option for clear braces is self ligating systems such as Damon Clear. These look much the same as clear braces but the wire is not fixed to the brackets with bands and reduces friction between the teeth as a shift. This allows for fewer visits to the orthodontist and actually makes braces a bit more comfortable.
Types of Clear Braces
- Damon Clear: Instead of enduring one arch wire tightening every few weeks, these use the self-ligating technology that allows the archwire to tighten itself. The continual adjusting over the period of treatment is usually more comfortable for the patient.
- 3M Clarity ADVANCED: Braces that are designed to be stain-resistant so that you do not have to change your diet to avoid staining your clear brackets or bands. The brackets also have a rounded edge which greatly reduces irritation
- Invisalign: Clear aligner therapy during which trays must be worn 20 to 22 hours each day.
- ClearCorrect: A clear aligner treatment which is a bit less costly than Invisalign but uses the same technology.
- Clearstep: Another clear aligner treatment in which the trays must be worn at least 22 hours per day.
An orthodontic treatment that uses brackets will require that you put in a little extra care and elbow grease during your oral hygiene routine. It is extremely important that you brush thoroughly and use orthodontic threaders so that you’re able to floss behind your wires. If you find that brackets are rubbing your cheeks and causing irritation, orthodontic wax can be placed over the bracket and can greatly reduce friction.
Which brand is right for you?
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, speak with your dentist before trying to decide which type you would prefer. If your dentist offers orthodontic treatment, they probably only work with one or two types. If neither of these would be best for your individual case, your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist. It is best to do you a little research and discuss options with your dentist or orthodontist. The brand that you want to use may not be ideal for your case.
More on Braces : Invisible Braces