Having straight teeth does more than give you a beautiful smile. It can actually benefit your oral health, reducing your risk of cavities and correcting your bite. Depending on your specific case and preferences, you might prefer clear aligners over traditional braces, or vice versa. Both are popular orthodontic treatments with their own pros and cons. Read on to find out if Spark Aligners or braces are right for you.
The Benefits of Spark Aligners
Spark Aligners are known for their clarity, comfort, and stain resistance, even in comparison to other brands of clear aligners. The following are some great benefits of choosing Spark Aligners:
- Easy cleaning – Clean your Spark Aligners by brushing and rinsing the trays in warm water after you eat or drink. You should also clean them in the morning and at night.
- Fewer follow-ups – During your treatment, you will visit your dentist or orthodontist every 2-3 months, where you’ll be given a set of aligners. Each tray is to be worn for 1-2 weeks before moving up in the series.
- Comfortable – Clear aligners can feel more comfortable to wear. They don’t have brackets that can create sores in your mouth.
- No metal mouth – The trays are clear and very discreet. People may not even notice that you are wearing them.
- Removable trays – One of the biggest benefits of having Spark Aligners is that the trays can be removed. You can eat and drink whatever you want without worry!
- Shorter treatment time – Typically, traditional braces have to be worn for 1-3 years, whereas clear aligners are worn for anywhere from 6-18 months.
The Benefits of Traditional Braces
While there are many benefits to Spark Aligners, there’s a reason traditional metal braces are still one of the most popular forms of orthodontic treatments! Although their long-standing reputation speaks for itself, here are some of the benefits of braces:
- Complex cases – Braces can help patients with fairly complex dental issues who need more tooth movement.
- Enhanced oral function – Traditional braces enable a patient to eat, speak, and even breathe more comfortably. This can be accomplished by fixing complicated bite issues or widening the jawbone to allow more airflow.
- Full transformation – Traditional braces can be used to address many problems at once. These include: crooked teeth, crowded teeth, spaces between teeth, overbite, underbite, and crossbite.
- Irremovable – Metal braces will stay in place, which can be a good thing if you are worried about losing your trays or don’t want to have to change them out frequently.
- No speech issues – Some patients who wear clear aligners report having a slight adjustment period when it comes to speaking clearly. With braces, speech is typically not affected.
Which One is Right for Me?
Both of these treatments have their positives, and the decision really comes down to your own unique needs and preferences. Ask your dentist for their recommendation for what method is best for your smile!
About the Author
Dr. David W. Cordes has been straightening smiles for over two decades. He specializes in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Whether you’re looking to get traditional braces, Spark Aligners, or a different orthodontic treatment, Dr. Cordes is ready, willing, and able to be with you every step of the way. If you want to begin your orthodontics journey, reach out to Dr. Cordes through his website or by phone at one of his 3 convenient locations!