Clear aligners: What are your options, and how do they compare?

Treating malocclusion is a significant part of dentistry. An entire branch of dentistry called orthodontics is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion. Although dental braces made from metal components were the go-to orthodontic solution for several years, they have been taken over by clear aligners, owing to several advantages they offer. Here are some of the prominent, clear aligners and how they compare with each other.

The different types of clear aligners

Clear braces: Clear braces work based on the same principle as conventional braces, but are different in terms of aesthetics. They are composed of brackets made from either tooth-colored ceramic or clear plastic. Even the wires that run through these brackets can be customized as required to make them as indistinguishable as possible.

Invisalign: Invisalign is the modern-day orthodontic aligner that is made from a transparent plastic material. It has shape memory, meaning, the aligners retain their shape and do not deform with continuous usage. The walls of the aligners gently apply pressure on the teeth and move them to their orthodontically right positions.

ClearCorrect:ClearCorrect aligners are similar to Invisalign, but they do have a few distinct differences. They work on the same principle as Invisalign and are backed by state-of-the-art technology.

Comparison between Clear braces, Invisalign, and ClearCorrect

Material: Clear braces are made from a combination of ceramic, plastic, and metal. Invisalign and ClearCorrect are entirely metal-free as they are made from plastic. While ClearCorrect is made from a dental-grade plastic material, Invisalign has its own patented material called SmartTrack, which is the more advanced ones.

Treatment span: The treatment span entirely depends on the severity of the malocclusion. While clear braces are a tad quicker at moving the teeth and aligning them, Invisalign and ClearCorrect are impressively efficient as well. Invisalign and ClearCorrect treatment can be completed in a few months to a couple of years, depending on the extent of misalignment.

Removability: Clear braces are fixed to the teeth using dental adhesives and can't be removed as and when required. Invisalign and ClearCorrect can be taken off whenever you have to brush your teeth, eat food, play games, etc.

Aesthetics: Though clear braces are made from tooth-colored ceramic/clear plastic, they can easily be spotted upon taking a closer look. On the other hand, Invisalign and ClearCorrect are far more invisible, thanks to their transparent structure. This feature can keep you from a whole lot of embarrassment while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Follow-up visits: When it comes to dental braces, patients will have to visit the dentist frequently to get the wires tightened/loosened and check on the treatment's progress. But, this is not the case with Invisalign and ClearCorrect. Once in a few weeks, the dentist will hand you a new set of aligners so that you can advance to the next stage of treatment.

Call us at (949) 786-2820 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Choi for a consultation at our office in Irvine, CA. We will be happy to guide you further with your orthodontic treatment.