Braces vs Aligners


Braces vs Aligners – Which Will Suit You Better?

In this article, we will tell you about braces and aligners. We will notify you what braces are also about the different types of braces that are available. We will also tell you about aligners. Here we have a comparison of braces vs aligners.

In this article, we will tell you about both the advantages and the disadvantages of using braces. We will additionally tell you about the advantages and the disadvantages of using aligners. Here we also have a comparison of braces vs aligners’ cost and expenses.

What are Braces?

Usually, porcelain or metal is used to make braces. The braces are generally attached to your teeth. After that, a force is created with the help of a rubber band or a wire that would help to bring the teeth to the desired and correct position.

What are Aligners?

Usually, plastic is used to make aligners. The aligners are custom-made. They are designed to fit the teeth of the person using the aligners. Each of the aligners then brings one tooth step by step to the correct and desired position. Composite resin is a filling material that is of the colour of the tooth.

Composite resin is used to help the tooth and the aligner to be attached to each other. A small amount of composite resin is attached to the tooth one by one, which creates a grip between the tooth and the aligner. It helps to move the aligner correctly.

What are the advantages of using Braces?

Advantages of Braces

There are advantages to using braces.

The first and the most important advantage of braces is that braces are applicable to all cases. Aligners can be used to treat most of the cases, but braces can be used to treat all of the cases. This is why braces can always be considered an option.

A lot of different types of braces are available in the market. Colourless or braces in different colours are also available. There are many different types and varieties of both metal braces and also porcelain braces that are available. They are different from the regular ones.

The braces remain fixed to the teeth always. This is why you can never lose the braces or forget to wear the braces. Braces are also useful and appropriate for you if you are a person who is not able to wear the aligners adequately.

What are the disadvantages of using Braces?

Disadvantages of Braces

Although there are a lot of advantages of using braces, yet there are a few disadvantages of using braces too.

The first disadvantage of using braces is that it is very difficult to clean your teeth while using braces as you are not able to remove them. Some real and serious damage can be caused to your teeth if you do not clean them properly.

You will be incapable of eating hard food items while using braces as they may cause breakages. You will additionally have to avoid sugary and sticky food as proper cleaning of the teeth is difficult while using braces.

Braces are less comfortable than aligners. They can cause discomfort to and irritate the lips and the cheeks. Braces are not very comfortable for people who play contact or semi-contact sports.

Braces are very noticeable. Many people, who care about appearance, prefer to use aligners as they are less noticeable than braces.

The appointments required for braces are longer and more in number than that of aligners. This is a primary disadvantage for the people who lead a busy life.

What are the advantages of using Aligners?

Advantages of Aligners

There are advantages to using an aligner.

Aligners are not very noticeable. They are less noticeable than braces. The aligners are very clear. They are also custom-made and are designed in order to fit the teeth of the person using the aligners.

Although not all the patients worry too much about the appearance of the aligners, yet there are quite a number of patients who care about the appearance of the aligners. Aligners are a better option and will suit you better if you care about the appearance of the aligners.

The diet of the person using the aligners will not be affected when he or she removes their aligners in order to eat. The person using the aligners will be able to and will be allowed to eat whatever food he or she wants to eat. While using braces, you are not allowed to eat some types of food as they can cause breakages.

The person using braces will face difficulty or feel uncomfortable eating certain food items that may cause breakage. A breakage will delay the treatment. If a breakage happens, the person using the braces will have to pay extra visits and will have to carry out repairs.

The aligners are removable. The person using aligners will be able to floss and brush normally because the aligners are removable. It is very difficult and challenging for people using braces to clean their teeth with the braces in the proper place.

The movement of the tooth is always pre-planned by the orthodontist. This is why the visits that the person needs to make for the practice are generally very simple and are very less in number. This is a very big and a great advantage for the people who are very busy and lead a busy life.

Aligners are generally considered to be more comfortable as compared to braces. The aligners are typically made with the use of plastic. This is why they are very smooth. The braces are typically made with the use of metal or porcelain. This is why they are not very smooth.

As the aligners are very smooth, they do not irritate the cheeks and the lips to a great extent. Although the person using aligners will or may face some difficulty, in the beginning, aligners are way more and much more comfortable than braces.

The aligners are very much useful and away more comfortable than braces for the people who play contact sports and semi-contact sports.

What are the disadvantages of using Aligners?

Disadvantages of Aligners

Although there are a lot of advantages of using an aligner, yet there are a few disadvantages of using an aligner too.

The first disadvantage of using an aligner is that you must, and you have to wear an aligner for a minimum of 22 hours a day. Only then will the aligner be effective. The aligners can only be removed when you want to or when you need to clean your teeth or to eat some food.

In order to eat some food or clean your teeth, you have to remove your aligners. You will be unable to eat without removing your aligners. Many patients feel embarrassed and shy to remove their aligners when they are in a public place.

Aligners are able to treat and are effective in most cases but not in all cases. In very complex situations, the orthodontist generally recommends using braces instead of aligners. In some conditions, the final results of using aligners are not as effective or as precise.

The cost of aligners is usually similar or the same as the cost of braces. But in some cases, the aligners may be more expensive than the braces that are being recommended. But you can always discuss the cost and expense of using the aligners or the braces with the orthodontist beforehand.

Which One is Popular Nowadays & Why?

Aligners are more popular than braces nowadays. Braces have become outdated. Aligners are cheaper and also very less visible, which makes them extremely popular these days.

Which Option is Better for Adults?

Aligners are a better option for adults because they are cheaper, less noticeable, require lesser number of and simpler visits for the procedure, and are easily removable.