Teeth Straightening​

Types of Teeth Straighteners

There are four main types of teeth straighteners:

• Metal braces, which use brackets affixed to the teeth to hold wires in place, moving your teeth into alignment over time.
• Ceramic braces, which perform exactly as metal braces except the brackets are ceramic.
• Lingual braces attach to the back of your teeth, making them pretty much invisible, although they usually aren’t as effective as traditional braces.
• Clear aligners (i.e. Invisalign or SureSmile), which you can remove whenever you want but should be worn for 22 hours/day to do their job right.

Do You Need Your Teeth Straightened?

Braces are most commonly associated with teenagers as their permanent teeth come in and we want to make sure they lock themselves in place with a good, attractive alignment before adulthood, when it becomes harder to realign teeth.

Many adults are now opting to have their teeth straightened, not only for cosmetic reasons but also for improved chewing, jaw alignment and making it easier to brush and floss.

Braces vs. Clear Aligners

Metal braces tend to be more effective at adjusting teeth, especially when they are severely overcrowded or you want to close large gaps. Braces also generally cost less than clear aligners. Because they can’t be removed, braces tend to be better suited to younger patients who might forget or be tempted to not put clear aligners back in or wear them as long as they should. Braces also tend to take longer to straighten teeth.

Clear aligners allow for easier brushing and flossing since they can be removed. They also require less trips to the orthodontist, because there’s no wire to change or adjust. Clear aligners can straighten teeth quicker than braces, but they also tend to cost more. And there are some things clear aligners can’t effectively correct that braces can, such rotated teeth or teeth that need to be raised to match the height of other teeth.

The good news is that you don’t have to make the decision alone. If you’re interested in having your teeth straightened, talk to us. We’ll make a recommendation and explain why it’s the best option for you.