These days, when people think of orthodontic treatment, two options usually come to mind: metal braces or clear aligners. However, the choice is rarely so simple—in fact, as similar as these treatments may seem, there are often times when clear aligners are limited in what they can accomplish, making braces the standout solution. Here’s more about when braces are the best way to help your smile, along with ways to ensure the success of your orthodontic journey!
What Makes Braces a Better Treatment Option?
Braces are ideal for treating more complex and severe orthodontic cases, and while they can easily straighten teeth, they can also be used to address things like overbites, underbites, and crossbites, along with extreme overcrowding, significant gaps, and many more.
They’re highly customizable to meet the unique needs of every patient, but they more or less function the same way; they rely on the steady pressure applied by the brackets and wires to move teeth into ideal, healthier positions. Even though aligners also function this way, they cannot usually handle severe problems quite so effectively as tried-and-true braces; plus, braces also grant your orthodontist more control over where the teeth move, which helps when teeth need to be moved vertically or rotated.
You should also note that younger patients tend to have more success with braces compared to options like clear aligners, too—since they’re fixed appliances, they cannot be lost, and they’re never not being worn! So for patients, young or old, who don’t want to worry about aligner upkeep, braces are far more convenient.
Tips for Ensuring Successful Braces Treatment
With braces, some level of patient compliance is still needed. Keep the following tips in mind to ensure the success of your treatment:
- Attend all of your routine check-ins; these appointments let your provider make adjustments as needed and ensure things are moving along as planned.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily; any issues like cavities or gum disease have the potential to cause setbacks.
- Adhere to your orthodontist’s instructions during your treatment, including following dietary guidelines, wearing elastics as needed, and contacting them when issues arise.
Clear aligners are still a fantastic treatment option, but sometimes, braces are exactly what’s needed. Remember, if you need orthodontic treatment, it isn’t something you should put off—treating bite and alignment issues can improve your short and long-term oral health tenfold. Wearing braces is a small price to pay
About the Practice
Our team here at Milton Orthodontics has been providing patients of all ages in Milton and the surrounding area with high-quality orthodontic services for several years. We offer traditional metal braces, clear aligners, and numerous other options based on your specific needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment to see if braces are right for you, please feel free to call today or reach out online for assistance! Telephone: (617) 698-8883.
