If you want to straighten misaligned teeth, you may have a variety of braces from which to choose. Most people, however, narrow down their choices to clear aligners (that let teeth color to show through) and traditional metal braces. Both of these types of braces can straighten your teeth. However, you can use the following factors to determine which option is best for your case.

Visibility

One of the major differences between these two forms of treatment is the color or aesthetics of the braces. Clear aligners are not as visible as traditional or metal braces. The clear aligners, as the name suggests, are translucent and let the natural color of your teeth to show through. Thus, your orthodontic treatment might not be visible to everyone if you are wearing clear aligners. Metal braces, on the other hand, are easy to spot.

Removability

Metal braces remain in your mouth from the time the dentist fixes them to the time your orthodontic treatment is over. Clear aligners are removable so you can take them out while eating or brushing. However, it is advisable to wear the aligners for as long as possible since they only work when they are in your teeth. Thus, the longer you wear your braces the faster they will work.

Cost

Clear aligners cost more than metal braces. However, the eventual cost of your treatment will depend on other factors such as the duration of treatment, the degree of misalignment, and other support treatments (such as tooth extraction), among others. Thus, for some individuals, it is not impossible for metal braces to cost more than clear aligners.

Candidacy

Some people are more suited to one type of braces than others. For example, those who play contact sports should avoid metal braces due to the increased risk of injury to damage that the metal brackets have. At the same time, clear aligners are not suitable for the back teeth, for those who don't have the discipline to wear their braces as needed, or for those who have or need bridgework.

Ease of Oral Hygiene

You need to dental diseases while going through orthodontic treatment since they can hamper your treatment's progress. Unfortunately, maintaining good oral care during orthodontic work is difficult. However, oral care is easier with clear aligners than metal braces. This is because you can take out the clear aligners while eating or to brush and floss whereas the metal version has to remain in your mouth at all times. Contact Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP to learn more.