There are approximately four million Americans undergoing orthodontic treatment at any given time, and about a quarter of them are adults. If you are an adult and want straighter teeth, you are probably wondering whether you should get traditional braces or look into aligner therapy. At Wildflower Dental & Orthodontics, we offer both options for our patients. The type of treatment you ultimately get will most likely depend upon the amount of straightening required, but it’s important to know the difference between braces and aligners and what the benefits are of each option.

Traditional Braces

If you went through childhood or adolescence without having to wear braces, you may be hesitant to get them as an adult, or maybe you did have them as a child, but your teeth have shifted out of place again over the years. The good news is that traditional braces have come a long way and are not only smaller and more comfortable to wear, but the treatment time is typically shorter as well. Traditional braces are used to treat moderate to severe cases of shifting, crowding, overbites, underbites, and crossbites, and Dr. Walkington is trained to assess the condition of your teeth to determine if braces will be a good option for you.

Braces have many significant benefits. They can completely transform your smile, help you maintain better oral health, and even improve your speech. While the treatment times vary according to the individual, most people wear braces for anywhere from several months to a couple of years.

During this time, it’s best to avoid certain foods like gum, sticky or hard candies, popcorn, chips, or anything else that can damage the brackets or get stuck in them. It’s especially important to clean your teeth thoroughly when you have braces as it’s easy for food particles to get trapped in the wires and brackets and contribute to tooth decay. With diligent brushing and flossing, you can easily keep your teeth healthy until your braces are removed.

ClearCorrect Aligner Therapy

If you have only mild to moderate straightening needs and want the cosmetic appeal and flexibility of aligner therapy, then ClearCorrect might be the right choice for you. ClearCorrect uses custom-fitted clear plastic aligner trays that fit directly over your teeth and are worn most of the time, but are easily removed for during meals and brushing. The convenience of being able to remove the trays appeals to a lot of individuals, and the trays are replaced every few weeks. Dr. Walkington will monitor your progress and fit you for new trays at your appointments, which are typically faster than appointments for traditional orthodontics.

ClearCorrect aligners are more comfortable than braces and offer the convenience of allowing you to brush and floss without having to work around brackets and wires. They are lower maintenance, and the treatment time for ClearCorrect wearers is generally shorter than traditional braces. Many individuals can have their full course of treatment completed in a few months. That being said, they can be more expensive than traditional braces.

Whatever your teeth straightening needs, Wildflower Dental & Orthodontics has an option that will work for you. Dr. Walkington has the expertise to assess your teeth and determine the best course of treatment that will help you attain the happy, healthy smile you’ve always wanted.