Chino Hills/La Habra – For many orthodontic patients, especially adults, many would prefer a discreet way of obtaining a nice, straight smile. While there are many different options for smile correction, there are advantages and disadvantages to each system. Dr. Robert Gire of Gire Orthodontics explains the top options for discretely straightening your smile.
- Clear aligner therapy such as Invisalign or Clear Correct
- Ceramic braces such as Damon Clear or ICE brackets
- Lingual Braces or braces behind the teeth
Patients everywhere love clear plastic aligners because it is both easy to use and cosmetically pleasing. They consist of a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually guide your teeth to their ideal locations. The aligners fit over the teeth, but since they are clear, they are almost invisible to the eye. And because they are removable, patients can eat and drink what they’d like, and they don’t need to make any adjustments to their oral care routines. Advantages: clear or invisible, you can eat what you want, you can brush and floss normally, and they provide very predictable results. Disadvantages: slightly more costly, the aligners need to be on at least 22 hours of the day, attachments or often needed on the front and back teeth, and there are limitations on certain movements.
Ceramic or clear braces are not exactly “invisible,” but they blend in seamlessly with your natural smile. They will consist of clear or tooth-colored brackets. Most orthodontists would still use a thin metal wire to straighten the teeth since the clear alternative wires on the market tend to yellow/discolor quickly and they slow the treatment down as well. They have the same reliability as standard metal braces. Advantages: Clear, very predictable, good for people that need to snack all day long (because you can’t take them off like clear aligners, and they are generally less expensive than clear aligners. Disadvantages: they’re still braces, and the brackets can discolor depending on habits.
Dr. Gire has discussed lingual braces in detail before. These braces are a great option for patients seeking a cosmetically pleasing way to straighten their teeth. Lingual braces are metal braces that fit on the tongue side of teeth, making them virtually invisible to the naked eye. Advantages: invisible since they are on the back side of the teeth. Disadvantages: these have the most limitations on type of movement/correction, they are difficult to clean since they’re on the inside, they will cause sores on the tongue and alter speech, not appropriate for patients who have a deep bite, and this is the most costly option.
“As we’re treating more adult patients, we are using these cosmetically appealing options more often,” says Dr. Gire. “They are wonderful options for many patients, but just like anything else, each option does have its drawbacks and these options may be more expensive than standard metal braces.”
These options may not be ideal for every patient. At your orthodontic consultation, your orthodontist will discuss with you the best treatment options for you, as well as the pros and cons for each. While standard braces aren’t the most desirable for some, they can be more efficient and predictable for certain types of bites. And there are many types of regular (metal) braces on the market today which are smaller and more discreet.
There are many great options for straightening your smile. Gire Orthodontics is pleased to offer a host of treatment options to meet the needs of every individual patient. To learn more about the options available to you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gire today, 562-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).