Clear Teeth Aligners: What Are Invisible Braces?
If you need braces, chances are you want them to take as little time as possible. After all, no one loves the discomforts that come with them. Luckily, clear teeth aligners have become widely available, and they can help you get straight teeth in as little as six months. On top of that, your friends and family may barely notice you have braces.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about clear teeth aligners, also called “invisible braces”, and the best options available.
How Do They Work?
Clear teeth aligners offer up an alternative to traditional braces. Both methods are used to move your teeth back into proper alignment, giving you that wide and straight toothy grin you’ve always wanted.
These invisible aligners, also known as “invisible braces,” are removable. Clear teeth trays work in a similar way to traditional braces. Throughout your teeth straightening journey, different sized and shaped trays are used and custom-made for your teeth.
Clear teeth aligners must be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means you can remove them for eating meals or snacks. One specific tray must be worn for this time-frame for two weeks before you move onto a different tray, which helps move your teeth further.
Typically, these aligners are computer-generated. As such, technology can easily make slight adjustments, which allows for a new tray once every two weeks.
Compared to Braces
Traditional braces tend to pose an irritating dilemma when it comes to eating and cleaning. When eating, it’s easy to get food caught in the metal pieces. This food can also be hard to remove without having to go find a bathroom mirror. In addition, cleaning plaque from the teeth is made difficult with traditional braces, which may result in staining of the teeth. To learn more about removing stains from your teeth, check out our blog post on teeth whitening.
Pros and Cons of Invisible Aligners
While invisible braces may be more expensive, these types of teeth straighteners can be removed for eating. In turn, this takes away a major problem that many individuals have with traditional braces. At the same time, though, many individuals also don’t like removing their invisible braces at the table, and you may not always have the option to leave the table to do so.
Invisible braces are also just that: invisible! There is almost no sudden change to your smile, which makes these aligners a clear choice for many. This type also offers more comfort since there aren’t any brackets or metal pieces that you need to worry about brushing along the inside of your mouth.
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How to Get Clear Teeth Aligners
For clear teeth aligners, an initial consult is required with your dentist. They will determine if invisible braces make sense for you. They will further examine your oral health, and when it comes to the popular Invisalign, they will take impressions of your mouth. This is then sent to Invisalign for your custom invisible teeth trays.
Basically, your best bet is to bring it up with your dentist or whoever is making the recommendation of braces for you. They can then help you determine what is best for your situation.
The Best Invisible Braces
So, what are your best options when it comes to clear teeth aligners? Are there certain brands or alternatives you should consider? While your dentist may recommend a certain brand or type, we’ve got everything you need to. Let’s take a look!
1. The Ever-Popular Invisalign
Invisalign has quickly become a household name across the United States. It’s suitable for kids, teens and adults alike. This one is the most popular and is many dentist’s go-to when it comes to clear teeth aligners. They have a reputation of excellence and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
2. The Runner-Up: ClearConnect
ClearConnect is often considered the more affordable option to Invisalign. Similar to their competitor, ClearConnect also uses clear, plastic trays to achieve invisible braces and an award-winning smile. In terms of time, ClearConnect takes about the same as Invisalign. However, the time span will always depend on your teeth, their position and your oral health.
3. Lingual Braces
Lingual braces aren’t exactly invisible braces. These are an alternative to clear teeth aligners and are actually braces that sit behind the teeth as opposed to in front. Like traditional braces, these braces use metal or plastic for the brackets and other pieces. However, they present a cheaper option to the invisible braces trend.
What Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and your finances. Clear teeth aligners don’t come cheap. Thus, you’ll want to ensure you do proper budgeting to plan and afford them. Yet, there are similar but more affordable options available. Determine your budget, think about your personal preferences, talk to your dentist and then get working on that smile!