We all want a great smile and an important part of the perfect smile is straight teeth. Our expert dentists and orthodontists can provide a plan for braces or clear aligners to achieve teeth straightening and help improve your smile.
Teeth Straightening With Braces
When it comes to teeth straightening, braces have been the choice of orthodontists for many years. And unlike in the past when patients had to put up with a mouth full of metal orthodontic braces for some time, modern options like ceramic braces are often called clear braces due to their discreet nature. Another option which are also like invisible braces are lingual braces.
So what’s the difference? Ceramic braces are made of plastic or porcelain which can either be clear or made to match your teeth colour, effectively making them clear braces. Lingual braces use traditional metal, however are placed on the back of of your teeth, putting them out of sight most of the time for an invisible braces look.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners such as Invisalign and Inman aligners are the perfect option for those who want a discreet correction technique to straighten their teeth.
These almost invisible aligners are particularly good for adults and teens as opposed to metal braces as they allow for teeth straitening without a mouth full of metal. Unlike braces, they are also removable.
Invisalign and Inman aligners are best used for different types of problems. Inman aligners are great if you’ve had braces in the past but haven’t worn your retainer as diligently as recommended and therefore your teeth have become crowded again. It can only be used to correct the front teeth. Invisalign on the other hand are often better as a comprehensive orthodontic option to treat the whole mouth.
Call to book an appointment with our orthodontist to discuss a plan for teeth straightening using braces or clear aligners: 02 9999 111
Differences between Invisalign and Inman aligners:
- Invisalign should be worn all the time, approximately 20 – 22 hours a day. Inman aligners will only need to be worn approximately 16 – 20 hours each day.
- Invisalign treatment takes on average a year to correct teeth, although can be shorter for some patients with milder problems. Inman aligners usually only need to be worn for six to 16 weeks.
- Invisalign uses a number of aligners which need to be switched to the next stage every two weeks. With the Inman aligners the same aligner is used and just adjusted regularly by your dentist.
Removable and Permanent Retainers
After your treatment with braces or clear aligners is complete, you will need to use a retainer to maintain the teeth straightening that has taken place. As we mentioned above, people who don’t use a retainer after completion of treatment usually end up needing an Inman aligner or other braces treatment again when their mouth becomes crowded.
Unfortunately, teeth have a tendency to relapse or shift back to their original position if a retainer is not used to hold and maintain the teeth position they were placed in during treatment.
A Hawley retainer is one of the oldest and most popular choices for braces or clear aligners aftercare. The Hawley retainer is removable and while it must be worn for quite a few hours a day initially, patients can eventually reduce the time needed to keep teeth in place.
Braces Cost
Many people have questions about braces cost and in particular adult braces cost as its assumed that modern clear braces and invisible aligners will be expensive. The good news is that braces costs vary and metal braces are not always the cheapest option these days. Some of the costs of braces comes down to how long you need braces or aligners to achieve optimal teeth straightening and how crooked the teeth are to begin with. It also depends on whether all teeth require treatment, the type of braces or aligners you choose and of course whether you have health insurance to cover some of the braces cost.
Call to book an appointment with our orthodontist to discuss a plan for teeth straightening using braces or clear aligners: 02 9999 111