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Comparing Clear Aligners Versus Traditional Braces: Which Teeth Straightening Option Is Right for Your Smile?

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Costs of orthodontic treatment vary according to the type you choose to use. Traditional braces can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 while Invisalign treatment could cost $5,000 – $6,000. Our dental team is happy to sit down with you to determine which option better fits your needs, goals, and budget!

Traditional Braces

These have been used for many years to straighten teeth for a healthier smile, making them the most common orthodontic treatment option around. Made from a system comprised of metal brackets, wires, and bands, braces gradually and gently shift your teeth into alignment. This steady movement works as the brackets are placed onto the front of your teeth, connected to metal wire and bands that work together. Our dentist routinely adjusts the wire tension, so that your teeth are gradually moved towards the optimal position in your smile. Along with metal braces, we also offer ceramic braces for a more discreet appearance on your teeth as they are the color of your natural teeth.

When it comes to caring for your braces, you do want to brush and floss diligently every day as you normally would, paying extra care around the brackets.

Braces are typically more economical than clear aligners, making them an excellent choice for those on a tight budget.

Braces are generally worn awhile, depending on your oral issues, so anywhere from 18 months to 2 years is typical.

You can wear braces at any age, but for children, it’s when they have lost most of their baby (primary) teeth and replaced them with their adult (permanent) teeth — typically between the ages of 8 and 14.

With traditional braces, there are food restrictions to protect the brackets. This means avoiding hard, chewy, sticky foods like:

-Popcorn
-Nuts
-Ice
-Hard candy
-Chewy candy and gum
-Pizza
-Bagels, hard rolls, and crackers
-Crunchy vegetables and fruits

After your teeth have been straightened they will need to be kept in line with the help of retainers which are typically worn at night.

Traditional braces are excellent for fixing teeth that are crowded, gapped, or misaligned. They also correct bite issues, such as crossbites, open bites, underbites, and overbites. Over time as you come in for routine adjustment visits, traditional braces guide your teeth to a healthier, more beautiful alignment!

INVISALIGN® and Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a discreet orthodontic system that uses clear, smooth, and thin plastic aligners worn over your teeth to straighten them into an aligned smile. They are best suited for mild to moderate orthodontic issues. They offer both convenience and discretion that you don’t get with traditional braces. There are no brackets, wires, or tiny rubber bands to irritate lips and gums, and because they are removable, you take them out to eat, drink and clean your teeth. No need to brush and floss around metal parts or remove rubber bands before cleaning! This makes clear aligners easier to care for than traditional braces since you simply brush and floss as you normally would without any hardware in the way.

Patients love this option because they are comfortable to wear and virtually unseen, so you don’t have to be shy about smiling.

Taking care of your aligners is easy, you keep them looking great by cleaning them daily to get rid of bacteria and plaque, and since you take them out to brush and floss your daily oral hygiene routine is the same as always.

Every two to three weeks you come in so our dentist can review your progress and give you your next set of new aligners. With each set you use, you move closer to your goal until your teeth are beautifully aligned!

Clear aligners are more costly than their traditional counterparts but many feel the price is worth the extra convenience, costing anywhere from $5,000 upwards.

Your aligners usually only need to be worn for about 10 and 24 months, depending on the severity of the issues that need correcting.

The recommended age for wearing clear aligners is age 14 or older. A teen’s smile is still growing and developing, which must be taken into account when establishing the treatment. Because they are removable, your teen needs to wear their aligners for the recommended hours per day so they can work.

The good news is there are no food restrictions because the aligners are taken out while eating.

As with braces, once you stop wearing your aligners when the treatment goal is met, you will need to wear a retainer to make sure the teeth don’t return to their original positions. Often this means wearing them at night.

Call Today!

Whether you are considering traditional metal braces to save money, or want the convenience and comfort of clear aligners for yourself or your teen, our Valley View Dental team is excited to help, using traditional braces, Invisalign®, or other clear aligner treatment in Romeoville, Naperville and Montgomery, Illinois. Call today to schedule a consultation!