Home » Metal Braces vs Clear Braces: Understand the Difference

Metal Braces vs Clear Braces: Understand the Difference

  • by
metal braces

What Are Braces?

Dental braces are orthodontic devices that correctly align bad bite or maloccluded (crooked) teeth. Wearing braces also help reduce excess space between teeth, resulting in better oral health. In addition, the realigned teeth enhance your dental health by minimalizing the risk for plaque formation, tooth decay, gum problems, or even tooth loss.

How Do Braces Work?

Braces consistently exert pressure on teeth and jaws to move, reposition, and improve your smile. The brackets fastened to teeth grasp the archwire that puts pressure on teeth. Over time, teeth shift around to the desired positions.

Periodontal ligaments play a crucial role in realigning teeth by wearing braces. These are the soft tissue around the teeth and gum bones. These ligaments keep natural teeth in place. With braces, periodontal ligaments' expansion and compression allow teeth to move. For example, when braces nudge a tooth to the right, the ligament on that side compresses, and a new bone forms on the left to fill the space.

Braces have undergone a significant transformation since their advent in the 1800s. Today, they are much more effective, comfortable, and lessconspicuous. In addition, results can also be obtained faster; however, the pace also depends upon the severity of dental deformities. Metal and clear braces are the two standard options if you are mulling over getting braces. Which one is right for you? Read on to understand the difference between the two.

Metal Braces

Made of titanium or high-quality stainless steel, metal braces are the traditional orthodontic solutions to make teeth straighter and restore dental esthetics and functionality. They have three main components:

  • Brackets
  • Archwires
  • Ligatures

Clear Braces

An advanced type of braces is clear braces, i.e., transparent trays that move teeth to the correct position. They work as effectually as metal braces in most cases, except for severely misaligned teeth.

Are clear braces more comfortable than metal braces? It is a common question asked by patients looking for braces for adults in La Jolla. Well! Yes. Even though the initial phase of wearing clear braces causes toothache and soreness, these side effects gradually subside. Since clear braces are made of high-quality non-abrasive materials, they do not cause gum irritation, cuts, or discomfort in the long run.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Metal Braces?

The advantages of metal braces are:

  • Suitable to correct a wide range of orthodontic issues (e.g., overcrowding, protruding teeth, misalignment, gapped teeth, bite issues, etc.)
  • Highly effective
  • Durable against daily wear and tear
  • Helps maintaining consistency during treatment
  • Available in different types (e.g., lingual braces for less obvious dental treatment)
  • Suitable for all ages
  • Lighter on the pocket

Disadvantages of metal braces

  • Potential soreness
  • Plaque formation and post-removal decalcification
  • Food restrictions
  • Need readjustment and tightening from time to time

What Are the Pros and Cons of Clear Braces?

The advantages of clear braces are:

  • No metallic-mouth look as these are transparent and minimally noticeable
  • Reduced self-consciousness when facing others
  • Relatively more comfortable than metal braces after the initial few days
  • Removability for better dental hygiene
  • No food restrictions

The disadvantages of clear braces are:

  • Trays must be changed every fortnight
  • Wearing them less than 22 hours may lengthen the treatment period
  • Trays must be handled carefully during removal and insertion
  • Trays must be washed daily, alongside brushing and flossing teeth
  • Costlier because of better esthetics

Looking for reliable dentists who can guide you on getting the best braces in La Jolla?

Connect with us now.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *