Dental Braces VS Clear Aligners: Which One Is Better For You?

When aligning your teeth, it’s common to wonder, “Which is better for me: dental braces or clear aligners?” Both methods have their pros and cons, and the answer may not be as simple as you initially thought. The right choice for you depends on your needs and what you are looking to get out of your braces or clear aligners.

Family Dental Centre (FDC) offers both options to help you make the right decision. Before you make your choice, here are some of the most important factors to consider when deciding between the best clear aligners and braces Singapore has to offer:

Dental Braces

Dental braces are brackets that are fitted to the teeth to move them into the specific place that we want them to be, with auxiliaries like rubber bands or elastics. There are two main types of braces available in Singapore – metal and ceramic. Metal braces are more common and are the most affordable option for teeth realignment, whereas ceramic braces are more expensive but less noticeable as the brackets are tooth-coloured or clear.

Braces treatment typically takes a period of 1-2.5 years, but may vary by case. The estimated duration may be extended, depending on how your teeth respond to the treatment. FDC’s multi-specialty care team of dental specialists and surgeons are able to offer the best possible treatment option for you.

Pros:

Beneficial for almost every common teeth alignment problem
Uses the push and pull technique to move teeth in place, hence are more effective and in certain cases, are faster than aligners.
Most affordable teeth alignment option
For conventional braces, wearers can choose coloured rubber bands to suit their style. (For self ligating ones, we do not need the colored O-rings)

Cons:

Can be tender or painful at first or in the following days after subsequent adjustments
Less aesthetic as compared to aligners.
Impairs proper oral hygiene routine, thus requires extra care from patients.
Food restrictions may apply, as hard or crispy foods may dislodge the brackets and cause treatment to be prolonged

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are some of the newest orthodontic devices on the market, with brands such as Invisalign, SmileDirectClub, and Zenyum becoming more and more common. They are made from translucent plastic, and are placed over your teeth to move them into position. You need to wear these full-time in both the day and night, except when eating or brushing your teeth.

The process of getting clear aligners is relatively simple. The first thing we do is get an impression of your teeth and get a 3D model to create the best clear aligners for teens or adults. Once that is done, we create the aligner to fit your mouth perfectly. FDC uses Invisalign Clear Aligners made out of a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack. Invisalign is virtually invisible and fully removable, allowing for easier care. It can also treat a range of cases including gapped teeth, crossbite, overcrowding, openbite, underbite, and overbite.

Pros:

No metal brackets or wires
No food restrictions
Less noticeable than traditional braces
Easy to clean

Cons:

Requires excellent compliance, as it must be worn for at least 22 hours a day.
May take longer in certain cases depending on complexity.
Replacement trays may be costly as the entire tray will need to be redone if lost or damaged
Costly
May not be suitable for some alignment problems.

Why have clear aligners become so popular?

Clear aligners have become a popular option for many Singaporeans due to their affordability and convenience. For teens and young adults, they are also a more aesthetically pleasing option compared to metal braces. Since they are removable, our patients can even eat and drink what they want without compromising their treatment. Clear aligners such as Invisalign work as well as traditional metal dental braces, so you can achieve the same result of a stunning smile! Subject to complexity of cases.

Explore your options at Family Dental Centre

FDC takes care of all your dental needs under one roof. Whether it is general or orthodontic our multi-specialty team comprises dental specialists and surgeons who will be able to consult you on a variety of dental concerns. In case you face any discomfort with your braces or clear aligners.

Give us a call today or book an appointment at any one of our clinics islandwide across Singapore so we can enhance your smile.

Article is written by Dr Marzali Abdul Majid, Dental Surgeon of Family Dental Centre