What is the Best Alternative to Braces?

Wearing braces as part of your orthodontic treatment serves a dual purpose. It is a cosmetic treatment that helps patients improve the way their smiles look and, even more important, helps restore your dental structures’ proper functionality.

Thanks to this type of treatment, many patients recover the ability to bite, chew, and speak without additional difficulties. Furthermore, well-aligned teeth are easier to keep clean, reducing the risk of developing cavities, infections, periodontal disease, and tooth loss.

Having healthy teeth now also helps reduce the need for expensive dental treatments later on, and even if it’s not a quick fix, orthodontic treatment can help you save time and other resources. Orthodontic treatment is complex and requires controlled changes to your jawbones, facial bones, and soft tissues as your teeth move to a new position.

So, let’s start talking about the options available to you here at Reopelle Orthodontics.

Metal Braces

We have been installing conventional stainless steel braces for several years now. These are the most reliable orthodontic appliance available to patients. Even as materials science and innovative procedures manage to create impressive alternatives, metal braces are still the sturdiest option available.

When you get brackets bonded to your teeth, you are also making sure to use the most resistant type of appliances. You will still have to be careful about eating certain foods or drinking some beverages; however, ensuring that your treatment won’t prolong unnecessarily will only mean, for the most part, that you frequently visit your orthodontist.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that dental hygiene during treatment will be challenging. There are more chances that food will lodge between the various parts of your braces, and you need to brush carefully and regularly to avoid potential risks. Don’t forget to brush your teeth!

Ceramic Braces

An extraordinary innovation we got from space. Well, not exactly.

Ceramic braces first appeared in the dental health market in the late 1980s. Some materials developed by NASA saw used as a new option to manufacture brackets whose color resembled the patients’ natural tooth color.

This option for orthodontic treatment saw increasing popularity among teens who wanted to avoid ugly prom pictures. They are still a budget option when a patient considers discreetness as a priority for their treatment.

Patients should still be careful because they have to consider some additional dietary restrictions when using these brackets. These brackets are more brittle and at an increased risk of breaking off if you eat certain foods.

Invisalign Braces

These seem like the one-stop shop for almost all of your orthodontic problems. These clear aligners are an excellent tool to correct most issues, including varying degrees of teeth crowding. Some jaw malocclusions or misalignment, like underbites and crossbites, are also eligible for treatment using Invisalign.

This alternative to traditional orthodontic appliances has caught the attention of many of our patients because of two key features. First, the aligners are removable. You can take them off when you have to eat,  drink soft drinks, and when you have to clean your teeth. Second, they are nearly invisible to the naked eye even when you wear them, so you can stop worrying about how you will look when using your aligners.

The Limitations of Any Option

We’ve mostly discussed the pros of the options available to you here at Reopelle Orthodontics. All these options present you with several advantages and the promise of a healthier, well-aligned smile. Still, there are some things you should weigh before you make a decision.

When you come for a consultation with your Roanoke orthodontist, you should ask all questions you have about your treatment expectations. We will make sure to present you with all the information you need to make a decision. One factor you should include in your considerations is the total cost of treatment. Out of all these options, Invisalign® is the most expensive one. You can feel free to ask us for additional information on the price, including the insurance companies we work with to lower the final treatment cost.

Another frequent question is the length of treatment. We will say this first: the most crucial factor contributing to your treatment’s efficiency is your compliance with your orthodontist’s recommendations. Some reports indicated that some patients using Invisalign were able to finish treatment in just six months. Even if all those using these clear aligners will begin to feel the effects in the first few weeks, you should keep in mind that every patient’s journey and conditions are different.

Expanding a little more on the subject of compliance, consider that your orthodontist will give you recommendations about what to do and what to avoid. If you do not follow dietary advice, you can break your braces (metal or ceramic), which will undoubtedly prolong your treatment. Failing to care for your dental hygiene during the treatment will put your teeth at risk and possibly delay your treatment.

How to Make the Decision?

Talk to a professional. Come to your next appointment with as many questions as you want, and be ready to pay close attention to your orthodontist.

Coming to a consultation at Reopelle Orthodontics means getting all the help you need to start your journey towards a healthier smile. Set your appointment online, and together, we will begin working to help you get the best version possible of your smile.