These days, clear aligners are one of the most popular options to straighten crooked teeth. But if you’re considering orthodontic work, you might be wondering if they’re the right choice for you.
The truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to a picture-perfect smile. While clear aligners are a good option for many patients, there are situations where traditional braces are still the better choice.
The best way to get the right treatment for you is to choose a board-certified orthodontist who specializes in both. Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California, work with children, teens, and adults of all ages to help them get the beautiful smiles they’ve always wanted.
Here are a few of the most common cases when traditional braces are a better choice than clear aligners.
Clear aligners work best for minor to moderate orthodontic issues, like slightly crooked teeth or small gaps. For more complex orthodontic cases, traditional braces are typically a better option.
Braces give Dr. Touni and our team more control over precise tooth movements, making it easier to fix complex conditions like severe overcrowding or bite misalignments. Traditional braces also allow your teeth to move more, which can be necessary for correcting more complicated issues.
While clear aligners typically require less treatment time than traditional braces for minor orthodontic issues, traditional braces may actually be faster for complicated cases. That’s because braces offer more precise and comprehensive tooth movement for faster treatment times overall.
Your bite is the way your top and bottom teeth fit together when you close your mouth. Bite misalignments are common, and clear aligners can’t fix these issues on their own because they’re limited in their ability to move teeth vertically.
If you have an overbite or underbite, Dr. Touni may recommend traditional braces to move your teeth and jaws into proper alignment. In some cases, orthodontic treatment may need to be combined with other treatments, such as surgery, to fully correct your problem.
While clear aligners can seem appealing to children and teens, they may not be the best option for younger patients. For treatment to be successful, clear aligners require a high level of responsibility and compliance.
You must wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and remove them only for eating and brushing. Children and teens may forget to wear their aligners or lose them, which can delay treatment progress.
Braces, on the other hand, are attached to your teeth. While good oral hygiene is still essential when you have braces, you can’t forget to wear them or lose them accidentally.
Clear aligners need to fit snugly around your teeth to work effectively. If you have certain types of dental work, like bonding or bridgework, aligners may not fit properly. Traditional braces don’t have this issue, and Dr. Touni can fit your braces around your existing dental work without damaging it.
Clear aligners can be more expensive than traditional braces, especially if you need multiple sets of aligners over the course of several months. While some insurance plans may cover the cost of clear aligners, others may only cover traditional braces.
If you’re concerned about the cost of your orthodontic work, talk to our team and your insurance provider to determine the best treatment options for your budget.
It’s no secret that clear aligners have become a popular alternative to traditional braces, but they’re not right for everyone. To learn more about your options and find the best orthodontic treatment plan for your needs, schedule a consultation with Dr. Touni and our team at Touni Orthodontics by calling our office or requesting an appointment online today.
