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Den's Dental Blog

Hello! My name is Den. This blog is going to cover a range of dental topics. I am not a dentist or a dental nurse but I have recently undergone a lot of dental treatment. This treatment has given me a great insight into the world of dentistry and I would like to share everything I have learnt with you here. Last year, I developed terrible pain in my mouth. I was diagnosed with severe tooth decay. The dentist removed the problem teeth and then inserted false ones in their place. He also whitened my teeth to improve my smile. I hope you find my blog useful.

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Comparing Traditional Braces Versus Invisalign Retainers – Which One Is Best For You?

by Myrtle Banks

If you have teeth alignment issues such as incorrect bite, crowded teeth, spaced teeth and so forth, you will need orthodontic treatment to correct the problem. Often, correcting teeth alignment does more than just improve your smile. It also helps with eating, pronunciation and facial reconstruction as well. In general, there are two major orthodontic appliances commonly in use today.

These are braces and Invisalign aligners. In this article, find out how the two compare against different parameters:

Scope of use

Both Invisalign aligners and dental braces can be used for a number for orthodontic treatments. However, traditional braces cover a much larger scope as compared to Invisalign aligners. Braces can be used for almost any orthodontic problem, like over-bites, under-bites, cross-bites, etc. However, Invisalign products are only used for select treatments. In most cases, Invisalign works well for mild corrections as the aligners cannot be relied upon to bring about drastic dental changes.

Effectiveness

Both braces and Invisalign aligners are very effective. They can adjust the position to your teeth back into the correct position over time. This is actualized through application of subtle pressure on the teeth. However, since braces are permanent, they carry higher changes of correcting orthodontic problems. They are worn 24 hrs/ day and are adjusted as required by the orthodontist. With Invisalign aligners on the other hand, one may forget to wear them as required – 22 hours a day - and therefore fail to get the desired results.

Costs

Both braces and Invisalign treatments require financial planning to acquire. Costs will depend on the provider, insurance covers and the condition being treated. However, in general, Invisalign treatments are more expensive than traditional braces. This can be attributed to the fact that Invisalign aligners have to be engineered as per your teeth formation while braces are woven to fit any patient.

Invisalign technology is also newer and highly-dependent on technology to monitor and correct teeth alignment. Traditional braces, on the other hand, do not rely as heavily on technology. The wires are simply adjusted manually every month by tightening them a little.

Aesthetics

Lastly, braces also account for general aesthetics and body image. Traditionally, braces used metal brackets which were highly noticeable. Today, braces also use enamel and clear plastic brackets that are harder to distinguish. However, Invisalign aligners are even more discrete as they feature a complete clear plastic frame with no wires whatsoever. Invisalign aligners can also be removed at any time, when necessary. This also helps with cleaning and ensuring maximum oral hygiene for better looking teeth.

After an examination, your orthodontist can advise you on which option best suits your treatment. They may recommend traditional braces or either of the two. To learn more, contact a company like About Face Orthodontics with any questions or concerns you have.

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