Getting your teeth straightened is a major decision, but the rewards can last a lifetime. You may have less tooth decay

and wear and tear, and feel much better about your smile when your teeth are straight. Getting rid of the overbite,

underbite, or uneven gaps and spaces can make a big difference in your daily life.

Deciding to get your teeth straightened is just the first in a series of decisions you will need to make. You also need to select

a system for straightening your teeth, and that's where our orthodontic expertise can help. Traditional metal braces may

come to mind first, but we offer several alternatives, like clear braces and clear aligners. Here are some of the factors to

consider when choosing which treatment is right for you:

Appearance

The brackets and wires of traditional metal braces are visible. Everyone knows you have them. Clear braces are similar to

metal ones, but they are made of hard plastic that is clear. People may have a hard time noticing you are wearing clear braces

until they are close to you. Clear aligner trays are even less noticeable. Most people may not ever know you are wearing

them at all!

The Logistics: Effectiveness, Treatment Time, and Appointments

Traditional metal braces and clear braces are equally effective, especially when it comes to advanced bite correction.

Treatment length depends on your smile needs. Clear aligners are more often used for general tooth-alignment problems.

Treatment with aligners also depends on your unique case.

You will also need to see your orthodontist about every six to eight weeks during the duration of your treatment with

traditional metal braces and clear braces. This can be to adjust the wires, change ties, repositioning of brackets and make sure

treatment is going well. Treatment with clear aligners only require you to go to the orthodontist every six to eight weeks to

check your progress and get new sets of trays.

Nutrition and Oral Hygiene

The same food restrictions apply to clear and metal braces. You cannot eat sticky or chewy foods, as they can pull a wire or

make a bracket pop off a tooth. Stringy foods can also get stuck in between wires and brackets. That limits things like apples,

carrots, candy, popcorn, and meat. With clear aligners, you can eat anything you want, since you can remove the trays to eat.

Similarly, cleaning your teeth is more difficult with braces. You have to concentrate on the "danger zone" and allow more time

to brush and floss with braces. You can brush and floss normally with aligners because you remove them for your oral

hygiene routine.

The best way to learn about your orthodontic treatment options is to visit our office for an initial consultation. We will be able to

recommend a treatment plan that works with your smile and your lifestyle.