Aren’t sure if you should choose clear aligners or metal braces? Our cosmetic dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, would be more than happy to help you weigh your options. Through orthodontic treatment, we can improve the health, function, and appearance of your smile so you can go through life with confidence.
In the meantime, here are the major differences between clear dental aligners and metal braces. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office.
Do you think you’d feel self-conscious with traditional metal braces? If so, it may be a good idea to ask Dr. Nichols if you’re a candidate for . Since aligners are made out of a clear comfortable plastic that fits snugly over your teeth, most people won’t even realize you’re wearing them unless they’re standing close.
Metal braces have a distinctive appearance. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun choosing the colored elastic ties that go around your brackets. Many of our patients like to choose colors to celebrate holidays or support their favorite sports teams. We offer a whole rainbow of elastic ties to choose from!
Learn More: Am I Too Old for Adult Braces? →
Both and metal braces perform the same function. They’re responsible for exerting gentle pressure on your teeth so that they move into optimal alignment over time. Whether Dr. Nichols recommends aligners or metal braces will depend on your personal preference and the complexity of your case. For example, you may be better suited for metal braces if we need to correct a complex bite relationship between your jaws.
It’s much easier to maintain good oral hygiene while wearing invisible aligners for teeth. This is because the aligners are removable, which means you’ll be able to brush and floss your teeth like you would normally. Be sure that you always brush your teeth after eating to avoid staining your clear aligners!
Metal braces require extra care during orthodontic treatment to avoid plaque buildup around your brackets. For this reason, please don’t hesitate to ask our staff for oral hygiene advice during your next appointment. One example of adapting your oral hygiene routine for metal braces would be to use a floss threader to guide the floss between each individual bracket in your smile.
Clear dental aligners are removable, which means you’ll be able to enjoy an unrestricted diet during orthodontic treatment. However, you will need to remember to brush your teeth after every meal or snack to avoid staining your clear aligners. If you have any questions about how to care for your clear aligners, please don’t hesitate to ask during your next appointment.
With metal braces, you’ll need to be more mindful of the foods you eat. This means avoiding foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew. Otherwise, you risk damaging your metal wires and brackets.
One important factor to consider when choosing between clear aligners and metal braces is how long your treatment may take—and how much effort it requires on your part. In general, metal braces are working 24/7 and don’t rely on patient compliance to be effective. That means you don’t have to worry about forgetting to wear them or losing them throughout the day.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day to stay on track with your treatment timeline. If you frequently remove them or forget to put them back in after meals, it could delay your results. For this reason, clear aligners may not be ideal for younger patients or individuals who prefer a more hands-off approach to treatment.
Dr. Michael Nichols is a , who’s accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call Nichols Family Dentistry at (616) 333-8496. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
