“How do I decide if braces or clear aligners are best for me?” It’s a common question we hear at Freedman & Haas Orthodontics. With various options available, including ceramic braces (clear braces), Invisalign, and metal braces, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. This article aims to simplify that decision, providing you with the information needed to select the best orthodontic treatment for your or your child’s smile.
Fixed Braces
Fixed braces have stood the test of time, offering reliable and effective solutions for correcting a wide range of dental misalignments. Each type caters to different needs and preferences, ensuring every patient can find a comfortable and efficient path to their perfect smile. Let’s check them out.
Metal braces
The classic choice for straightening teeth, traditional metal braces have evolved significantly over the years. Today’s versions are sleeker, more comfortable, and more efficient than ever. When people think of orthodontic treatment, this is usually what they think of. Traditional metal braces are made of brackets, wires, and ligatures (the little elastics that give braces color and hold the wire in place). The brackets are made of a durable mix of metals that make them strong enough to withstand a lot of pressure at once, making them ideal for even the most complex orthodontic cases.
Damon self-ligating metal braces
These self-ligating braces are similar to metal braces but not exactly the same. The difference is the brackets! Self-ligating metal brackets are also made of a durable mix of metals, but they don’t require ligatures. The design of the brackets has a built-in mechanism that holds the archwire in place without the need for eye-catching ligatures. They’re as effective as traditional metal braces but with a little more aesthetic subtly. In some cases, Damon braces can even improve alignments more efficiently than conventional braces, especially for patients who desire a broader smile.
Damon clear braces
Desire even more subtly than self-ligating metal braces? You might want to consider our clear braces for yourself or your child. Instead of metal, clear brackets are made of a tooth-colored ceramic material that blends in with the teeth. When paired with matching ligatures, they have the illusion of being transparent, which is how they got their name!
Invisalign Clear Aligners
In recent years, clear aligners have grown in popularity for good reasons. They offer flexibility and freedom, making us proud to offer Invisalign to patients of all ages, including Invisalign for adults, Invisalign First, and Invisalign for teens.
Clear aligners use a series of clear plastic trays designed to gradually move teeth into their desired position. Each set is worn for about two weeks before moving on to the next in the series. The custom-made aligners are tailored to fit each patient’s mouth’s unique contours, ensuring comfort and efficient treatment.
At Freedman & Haas, we only offer the best to our patients. Because Invisalign is the leading brand of clear aligners, you can feel confident that you’re getting just that.
Invisalign vs Braces: Things To Consider
Choosing between braces and aligners involves considering various aspects of your life and the complexity of your orthodontic needs. When making your decision, Dr. Freedman and Dr. Haas urge you to weigh the following:
- Aesthetic: The visibility of orthodontic treatment is a significant concern for many. Some options are less noticeable than others. If your teen or child feels self-conscious about treatment or you don’t want your colleagues, clients, or dates to know you’re improving your alignment, ask us about our less conspicuous choices.
- Lifestyle: Daily routines can influence your choice of orthodontic treatment. Invisalign aligners boast the advantage of being removable, simplifying eating, brushing, flossing, and appliance maintenance. This feature contrasts with fixed braces, which require dietary adjustments to avoid damaging the braces and necessitate meticulous cleaning around brackets and wires to maintain oral hygiene. Clear aligners must also be cleaned twice daily, but the process is more straightforward and quicker.
- Aligner Compliance: When thinking about how treatment will affect your or your child’s lifestyle, don’t forget to think about how well you’ll be able to follow Dr. Freedman’s and Dr. Haas’s instructions for clear aligners. Success with Invisalign depends heavily on patient compliance, requiring aligners to be worn for the recommended 22 hours per day. This level of discipline might be challenging for some, making fixed braces a more foolproof option since they are non-removable and work continuously without patient intervention. You or your child must also be able to keep track of and care for the removable braces. Damaged or lost aligners can prolong your treatment and increase costs.
- Treatment Needs: The complexity of orthodontic needs is another crucial factor. Some cases might be more effectively treated with fixed braces, but the window of cases that can only be treated with fixed braces is shrinking. Previously, fixed braces were thought to be the best and only option for patients with complex needs. However, with the most recent advances in Invisalign’s technology in the hands of our board-certified orthodontists, we can treat severe cases just as effectively (and sometimes more effectively!) than with braces. When you entrust your care to our board certified orthodontist, you are ensuring predictable outcomes and amazing results. Why take the risk of being treated by less qualified practitioners?
Visit Our Board-Certified Orthodontists For Orthodontic Expertise You Can Trust!
At Freedman & Haas Orthodontics, we understand that choosing between braces and Invisalign clear aligners is a significant decision. Our dedicated teams in Wellington and West Palm Beach are here to help you make the best choice for your or your child’s smile. With our comprehensive range of orthodontic solutions and personalized treatment plans, we’re committed to helping our patients achieve the beautiful, healthy smile they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation!
