How Do Clear Braces Work
Twenty years ago people who required braces had one option – metal wires and brackets bonded to your teeth for a year or more. They were impossible to hide and about as subtle as a strobe light on your head. Thankfully dental technology and aesthetics have come along way and the option for invisible or clear braces is widely available to people who have a malocclusion (misaligned or crooked teeth).
If it is determined that you require braces to repair a malocclusion or improper alignment the first thing you should do is ask your dentist/orthodontist what type of corrective treatments they offer.
Clear ceramics
There are 2 main types of clear braces- clear ceramic braces and Invisalign. Although both are clear alternatives to metal lingual braces they have numerous differences.
Ceramic braces look and work exactly the same as metal braces only instead of silver or golden toned metal the braces are made from a clear ceramic material. Like metal braces, wires, bonding and ligature elastics are still required to place the pressure on the teeth needed to encourage straightening. The downside to ceramic braces is that they can break under too much pressure, which is why most orthodontists recommend that they not be used on the bottom teeth.
Invisalign
Invisalign braces are able to repair malocclusion and misalignment without using wires or brackets, which makes this process particularly unique. Invisalign takes a modernistic approach to corrective dental treatments by using custom designed aligners made specifically for each patient.
These clear and strong BPA free plastic aligning trays gradually and gently shift your teeth into place over a period of time by replacing each tray with an adjusted tray size every couple of weeks. The trays are extremely comfortable and virtually invisible.
The patient’s dentist or orthodontist will x-ray and take an impression, which is then used to create a digital 3-D image of the teeth. It is this image that will determine the number of trays and level of alignment needed to correct the malocclusion.
The aligners are to be worn a minimum of 20 to 22 hours a day to achieve the corrected alignment needed. Patients are able to remove the aligners to brush floss or enjoy a meal. Invisalign can treat virtually any malocclusion, including misalignment (crooked teeth) as well as over and under bites and the majority of patients can expect treatment to be completed within a year.
If you’re wondering which type of clear braces are best for you, then consult your dentist/orthodontist to find out more.