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Clear Braces vs Metal Braces: How Are They Different?

If you wish you had straighter teeth, we have some good news for you! The technology and techniques behind orthodontic methods have come a long way. Now, there are more options than ever. At Runnels Ortho in Destin, we offer traditional braces, Mini-Diamond braces, clear braces, SmartClip braces, and Invisalign. Read on to learn more about clear braces vs metal braces.

 

The Importance of Having a Healthy Smile

Health and Aesthetic Benefits

A beautiful smile is a wonderful thing to give yourself. It enhances confidence and lets you feel that you look your best. Moreover, straighter teeth are healthier and easier to clean. The systems we offer have the following benefits:

  • Improvements in your ability to chew food
  • Reduction of speech impediments
  • Prevention of cavities
  • Elimination of tooth overlap for greater ease in brushing and flossing
  • Enhanced hygiene
  • Prevention of injury from protruding teeth
  • Enhanced aesthetic appearance
  • Improved confidence

 

Common Problems We Can Correct

Here are some of the most common issues our patients face:

  • Gap teeth
  • Crossbites
  • Crowded teeth
  • Overbites
  • Underbites (also known as malocclusions)
  • Crooked teeth

 

Traditional Braces

What Are Traditional Braces?

Traditional braces are the most popular option for people who want to achieve a straighter smile. The system utilizes metal brackets, rubber bands, and an archwire to adjust the position of your teeth gently. The brackets are affixed to your teeth using a special dental glue. Your teeth move as a result of pressure from the archwire on the brackets.

 

What Are the Advantages of Traditional Braces?

They Have the Greatest Ability to Straighten Your Teeth

Traditional braces are the most effective solution for repositioning the teeth. They can correct more complicated orthodontic problems than other options. The technology behind them goes back to work pioneered in the 18th and 19th centuries. With a long history of orthodontic innovation behind them, traditional braces are a highly developed, effective system. If your teeth have extreme overcrowding or other serious issues, traditional braces can offer the best solution.

 

They Are Strong and Durable

Traditional braces are made of extremely strong metal (usually steel and titanium). They have a very low chance of breaking in your mouth.

 

They Work Quickly

The efficacy of traditional braces makes them one of the fastest methods of achieving straighter teeth. They give your orthodontist a high level of control, meaning that shifts in the position of your teeth can be planned and conducted quickly.

 

They Are Cost-Effective

Of all the methods available, traditional braces are the least expensive approach to straightening your teeth. They can be of great help to people who want to straighten their teeth while controlling the cost of the process.

 

Who Can Benefit From Traditional Braces?

Most people who face issues with malpositioned teeth can improve their condition with traditional braces. They are a good option for people with severe issues that are outside the scope of other options and for people who want to achieve a beautiful smile as quickly as possible.

 

Unlike some approaches, they can be fitted for children as well as adults and teenagers. For people considering their budget as they weigh their orthodontic options, traditional braces are a good choice.

 

Mini-Diamond Braces

What Are Mini-Diamond Braces?

Mini-Diamond braces are similar to traditional braces because they use the same system of brackets and archwires. The key difference is that Mini-Diamond braces are approximately 30% smaller.

 

What Are the Advantages of Mini-Diamond Braces?

Mini-Diamond braces are less noticeable than traditional braces and potentially more comfortable to wear. The metal they are made of is very strong, providing durability and allowing them to straighten your teeth quickly. They also offer an improvement in hygiene because there is less metal to clean.

 

Who Can Benefit From Mini-Diamond Braces?

Mini-Diamond braces are a good option for people who prefer smaller braces. The small size of the brackets is good for people who are sensitive to larger, traditional braces and who prefer the aesthetics of the Mini-Diamond look.

 

Clear Braces

What Are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are made from a material that blends in with the color of your teeth. They are sometimes called ceramic braces.

 

What Are the Advantages of Clear Braces?

The main advantages of clear braces are aesthetic. They are designed to be barely noticeable and to affect your appearance as little as possible.

 

Who Can Benefit From Clear Braces?

Clear braces can help people who want to reduce the effect braces have on their appearance while still getting the benefit of having brackets and an archwire. They are a good option for adults who want to avoid the look of traditional braces as they go about their professional lives or teenagers who are self-conscious about their appearance.

 

SmartClip Braces

What Are SmartClip Braces?

SmartClip Braces are similar to traditional braces with one added feature. They have a sliding component that allows your teeth to shift more quickly into their new position. The term used to refer to this technology is “self-litigation”. It does not require the use of rubber bands. Rather, the wire goes directly through the brackets.

 

What Are the Advantages of SmartClip Braces?

SmartClip braces allow your teeth to move more freely, enhancing your comfort during the treatment and reducing your treatment time. They can also benefit the health of your teeth and gums. By eliminating the need for rubber bands, SmartClip Braces offer a hygienic advantage: there is less material to collect plaque in your mouth. Many people also prefer the look of these braces because they don’t have rubber bands.

 

Who Can Benefit From SmartClip Braces?

SmartClip braces are an exciting choice for people who want to take advantage of the most advanced developments in orthodontic technology. If you want your treatment to be done as quickly as possible, this system is a good option for you.

 

Invisalign

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system that utilizes 3D printers to create clear aligners for your teeth. Your treatment begins with a scan of your mouth. Next, state-of-the-art software is used to create a digital plan for your treatment. It shows each stage of your improvement, ending with your beautifully straight smile.

 

Your aligners are created according to these stages using SmartTrack material, a special innovation developed by researchers at Invisalign. You will change the aligners at home every one to two weeks until your treatment is finished.

 

What Are the Advantages of Invisalign?

The Aligners Are Invisible

Invisalign utilizes clear aligners that are virtually invisible when you wear them.

 

The System Uses Advanced Technology

Invisalign is a company that has invested in decades of research and worked with industry-leading experts to develop its methods and materials. The iTero Element scanner that is used to get an initial impression of your mouth can capture over 6,000 images per second, making it very accurate. The SmartTrack material from which the aligners are made is the result of 8 years of research and hundreds of tests. It allows for greater comfort when you wear the aligners and greater control over the movements of your teeth.

 

They Are Highly Effective

Invisalign is a great option for people that face mild to moderate problems. For more complicated situations, the Invisalign team has developed SmartForce Attachments. SmartForce Attachments are small, tooth-colored pieces that are glued to some of your teeth at the beginning of your treatment. Many people don’t need them, but for those that do, they can act as “handles” that increase the pressure of the aligners in strategic areas.

 

The Aligners Are Hygienic

You can remove your aligners when you eat, meaning that you won’t get food caught in them. For cleaning, you can take them out and brush all the areas of your mouth. The aligners themselves can be cleaned separately, allowing you to access their entire surface.

 

The Aligners Are Comfortable and Durable

For people who don’t like the feeling of metal in their mouths, Invisalign is a comfortable option because the aligners are made from smooth plastic. They are durable and safe because there are no wires that can break or pop while you are eating or playing sports.

 

Who Can Benefit From Invisalign?

Invisalign can help people who want to straighten their teeth without altering their appearance. It is an appropriate system for people with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. At the moment, Invisalign is a good option for adults and teenagers, but not children.

 

This system can be a perfect solution for people whose occupations require them to give presentations, perform in front of people, or otherwise maintain a public image. The removable aligners can also help professional athletes who don’t want to risk breaking traditional braces during their sport.

 

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More About Clear Braces vs Metal Braces

We can help you consider all the options for improving the alignment of your teeth and caring for your smile. When we examine the condition of your teeth and speak with you about your concerns and goals, we can help determine which solution is best.

 

Your treatment will be customized for your unique needs as a patient. Fortunately, given all the technological advances, there is an effective solution available for almost every situation and lifestyle.

 

Many Solutions for One Beautiful Smile

Everyone deserves a beautiful, healthy smile. That’s why researchers have developed many solutions that can help people achieve straighter teeth. Every person (including you!) has unique needs and individual preferences when it comes to their orthodontic care. Today, you can benefit from the variety of approaches by considering clear braces vs metal braces and choosing the option that is best for you.

 

From complex alignment problems to aesthetic considerations, the options we offer can address all of your needs. You can choose to prioritize the cost of the treatment, the speed at which it can be finished, your appearance during the process, and/or your comfort.

 

Whether you choose clear braces vs metal braces or vice versa, you can be sure that the benefits will have an incredibly positive impact. Giving yourself or your child a beautiful smile is an investment that pays off in a lifetime of improved orthodontic health and confidence. You literally shape the future of your teeth and gums by improving your hygiene and preventing the injuries that can result from misaligned teeth.

 

Get the Best Orthodontic Care

Your smile is an important part of the first impression you make and a lasting impression that is captured in photographs. Great orthodontic care can optimize your appearance. It can give you the confidence of knowing you look your best in every situation.

 

Contact Runnels Ortho to learn more about the exciting orthodontic options we offer. We are happy to give you more information about clear braces vs metal braces and get you started on a treatment that will deliver life-long benefits.

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