With adult orthodontics, the issue lies in how to have a perfect smile and how to achieve it in the most efficient manner possible. Speed and aesthetics are more important to adults wishing to obtain orthodontic care, which is why it is necessary to choose between clear and traditional braces. Understanding which alternative is quicker will help you to make a more efficient choice when it comes to your teeth straightening process.
Understanding Your Dental Alignment Options
The orthodontic scene of adults has changed significantly in the last twenty years. Metal braces used to be the only way to have your teeth straightened comprehensively. Still, with the introduction of invisible aligners, a discreet method of teeth straightening has become available, which fits perfectly into professional and social life.
Conventional braces are made of metal brackets glued to the teeth, and are linked by arch wires that exert constant pressure to slowly move the teeth to their desired locations. It is an established procedure that has been refined over decades and continues to be highly successful in complicated orthodontic situations.
Clear aligners use a series of custom-designed, removable clear trays that shift teeth in small steps. One wears each set of aligners approximately two weeks, and then moves to the next set in the series, which progressively repositions the teeth.
The Speed Factor: Comparing Treatment Timelines
The most common question for adults when considering orthodontic treatment is straightforward: Which treatment is faster? The answer is not straightforward because several factors, such as your case’s complexity, dedication to the treatment plan, and biological response to tooth movement, influence the speed of treatment.
Clear aligners can be as fast as traditional braces, or even faster, in simple to moderate cases with minor crowding, spacing, or rotations. Most patients experience significant improvements in 6-12 months; complete treatment can take 12-18 months.
Traditional braces are usually most effective when there is a need to move teeth a lot, correct a bite, or rotate severely misaligned teeth. The metal braces exert constant pressure, and in some complex cases, this can be faster, with a treatment time of 18-36 months, depending on the complexity.
Speed advantage is not always obvious, though. Clear aligner technology has improved dramatically, and some systems can now treat complex cases that could only be treated with braces.
Factors That Speed Up Clear Aligner Treatment
Several factors can significantly influence the pace of your invisible aligner treatment:
- Adherence to wear time: Clear aligners require 20-22 hours to achieve the best results. Patients who adhere to this rule regularly progress faster than those who take off their aligners regularly.
- Good oral care: Good oral health during treatment will avoid delays due to cavities or gum disease that may necessitate suspension of treatment.
- Consistent visits: Scheduling and keeping orthodontic appointments on track will help your treatment progress as intended and make necessary changes.
- Dietary recommendations: Foods and drinks that may stain or otherwise harm aligners should be avoided to keep treatment on track.
- Acceleration appliances: There are acceleration appliances at some offices, like vibrating plates, which may be applied to accelerate tooth movement in addition to clear aligners.
Factors That Speed Up Treatment With Traditional Braces
The speed of metal braces treatment can be enhanced in several ways
- High-tech archwires: New nickel-titanium and copper-nickel-titanium wires provide unremitting pressure and may reduce the overall treatment duration.
- Healthy teeth: This assists to keep resistance of plaque and gingivitis in check so that the brackets and wires may perform their duties uninterrupted.
- Dietary adherence: Hard, sticky, or crunchy foods should be avoided because they can break the brackets and slow the treatment process.
- Adjunctive procedures: Procedures such as corticotomy or micro-osteoperforation can speed up tooth movement in suitable cases.
- Consistent maintenance: Regular maintenance appointments will help to maintain progress and avoid treatment delays.
Other Factors beyond Speed
Treatment speed is a factor, but it should not be the only factor in your decision. Clear aligners are the most discreet, so they are perfect to use by adults in professional environments where looks are important. It is also removable, which makes it easier to maintain oral hygiene, and there are no dietary restrictions.
Traditional braces, though, give orthodontists more control over the movement of the teeth and can be more effective in complex bite problems or severe misalignment. They also do away with the compliance aspect as they are worn constantly without patient cooperation for a long time.
The cost of practices and insurance coverage differs widely depending on the practice, but both are usually within the same price range in similar cases. Specific insurance plans can cover different types of treatment to varying degrees, so this is a factor that should be researched.
The level of discomfort varies across treatments as well. Clear aligners are generally associated with slight pressure during the tray change, whereas traditional braces may be related to more consistent pain, particularly after adjustments.
Choosing the Best Option to Fit Your Lifestyle
The quickest treatment is not always the best treatment for each person. Consider your lifestyle, professional needs, personal preferences, and speed when making your choice. Some adults like the set-it-and-forget-it aspect of traditional braces, and others like the flexibility and discretion of clear aligners.
The skill of your orthodontist with each system is also a key factor in the speed and success of treatment. There are practitioners with a long history of experience with clear aligners who can produce great results quickly, and there are those who are more experienced with traditional braces methods.
Bottom Line
Clear aligners and conventional braces can both provide excellent results in adult orthodontics. Although the speed of treatment depends on the case and compliance factors, clear aligners are often the best option to balance effectiveness, discretion, and convenience in the lifestyle of many adults.
The most important thing when considering the fastest result with either of the options is to find a Bayswater Dentist. Visit us and we will help you achieve that perfect smile within the shortest time possible.