Are you thinking about correcting your bite and do not know what will be more effective: classical braces or transparent eliners? We will analyze in detail the differences in all important parameters and tell you what you need to pay attention to when choosing a treatment method.
Principle of action
Braces
Braces — are a fixed appliance in which the main acting force is an arch attached by locks to each tooth. The arch has shape memory and, when placed in braces, tends to return to its original position, which gradually moves the teeth into position. The locks (braces) can be metal or clear, but the arch will always have a metallic sheen and will be visible to others. In addition, additional devices are used during braces treatment: springs, buttons, elastics, and chains.
Aligners
Aligners – are a set of clear, removable mouthguards that are fixed to the teeth with attachments (protrusions of filling material on the surface of the tooth). The mouthguards fit snugly on the teeth and gradually move them in the direction set by the attachments.
Comparison of braces and eliners
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is generally understood as the ability of the design to handle clinical cases of varying degrees of complexity.
Braces and aligners – these are two instruments that work in very different ways, have different biomechanics of movement and are effective in different clinical situations and only with a competent approach of the orthodontist.
It is important that your doctor understands which tooth movements are necessary in your case and with which equipment their achievement will be as effective as possible.
For example, if in your case there are a lot of incorrectly deployed teeth (rotations), then it is preferable to carry out treatment on a bracket system, since the doctor will be able to cope with such movements quickly. Correcting rotations on aligners is a slow, protracted process due to the peculiarities of the distribution of forces in the equipment. And if it is necessary to move the teeth back (distalization) to create a proper bite, aligners will work more predictably. Braces in such a situation will require additional support in the form of mini implants.
The undoubted advantage of bracket systems is the ability to quickly correct the position of some teeth by bending in an arc or gluing the bracket to another position. When treating with aligners, this is not possible, and in order to correct the position of the teeth, it will be necessary to re-go through the stage of creating a set-up and ordering a corrective set of aligners.
In some situations, it will be more effective to combine two types of equipment: treatment can be started on a full or partial bracket system, and then continue treatment with removable caps.
Timing and specifics of treatment planning
A big advantage of treatment with eliners is the ability to visualize the results of treatment on a clin-check — a virtual treatment plan. Before making a set cap, any tooth movement and every step in the treatment is planned in the software and becomes available for viewing (set-up). In the case of braces, the possibility of virtual planning is available in the Insignia system.
However, the movements planned in the program do not always correspond to reality, and in order to make a final decision on tooth movement, an orthodontist needs a deep understanding of the clinical situation and biological treatment possibilities. In other words, the program does not take into account the volume of bone, the condition of soft tissues and the anatomy of the roots of teeth, which can lead to complications such as the formation of recessions and resorption (resorption) of the roots of teeth.
The very stage of planning and manufacturing individual caps takes more time than ordering and fixing a universal bracket system. If braces can be installed within 1-2 weeks after the first consultation, then the preparation, manufacture and delivery of aligners takes 3-4 weeks, depending on the country of manufacture.
Appearance and visibility
Aligners are less noticeable on teeth even compared to aesthetic braces. Transparent or translucent braces may not match the color of the teeth, they still show a metal arch and often the system will be supplemented with orthodontic devices: springs, buttons, elastics, chains.
The aligners are completely transparent and are attached to attachments made of composite material that matches the color of the teeth. However, they can also be complemented with elastics or metal buttons.
Lifestyle and nutrition
Aligners – are a removable design, but whether this is an advantage is up to you. Wearing aligners continuously requires self-discipline and careful attention to treatment. You should not allow the loss of mouthguards or non-compliance with the wearing regimen – all of these will result in the need for corrective mouthguards and lengthen the treatment period. With bracket treatment, these risks are eliminated.
Getting used to both braces and aligners — individual: someone may experience diction disorders or pain, someone does not feel anything even on the first day after installation.
When treating with braces, you will have to exclude hard, hard foods from the diet so that there are no breakdowns or peeling. Aligners can be removed during meals and there are any dishes that you like. But you need to be careful not to drink coloring drinks (tea, coffee, red wine) when aligners are on your teeth, because the mouth guards will darken.
When exercising, the risks of injury for a patient with aligners are lower than in vestibular braces.
Orthodontic visits
With braces, doctor visits — activations — are needed on average every 2 months, and more often in the final stages of treatment during detailing. During activations, the orthodontist changes arches, re-bonding buttons or brackets, takes intraoral photos to record progress, and issues new elastics.
Aligners are given to the patient immediately in a set for several months with clear instructions on how long to wear each pair of caps. You need to come to the orthodontist in a few months for the next set and to control the treatment process. An orthodontist can glue attachments and buttons, and give out elastics. As with braces, a photo protocol is required at each appointment.
Unscheduled visits with braces occur more often: braces come off or an arc may prick. Aligners usually do not rub or cause inconvenience, but if the mouthpiece is broken or lost, then it will need to be ordered from the manufacturer and wait for delivery. If the bracket comes off and you save it, then it will be glued immediately at an unscheduled orthodontist appointment.
Hygiene and care
Individual hygiene with eliners is easier: you remove the mouthguards, rinse them off, and brush your teeth in the usual way. But if you don't brush or care for your aligners, your risk of tooth decay increases many times over – it's warm and moist under the mouth guard, which creates an optimal environment for cavity-causing bacteria to grow and develop.
Proper, thorough brushing and timely visits to the dental hygienist are equally important for orthodontic treatment on any appliance.
Cost of treatment
We compare the cost of treatment with Damon Clear clear self-ligating braces and Flexiligner aligners at our clinic. A full course of treatment on aesthetic braces costs — 270,000₽, on Eurokappa aligners — 350,000₽. Eliners, in general, are slightly more expensive than aesthetic braces because a particularly valuable part of treatment on eliners — is the virtual set-up and customized fabrication. Creating a virtual plan requires expensive unique software, and creating a set of mouthguards — costs for processing equipment, quality hypoallergenic materials and logistics.
How do you know if braces or eliners are right for you?
The most responsible and important choice in planning orthodontic treatment — is choosing an orthodontist. Braces and eliners — are instruments that are suitable for different tasks. When choosing appliances, it is not so much aesthetics that is important, but the type of tooth movement and the effectiveness of the biomechanics of treatment. A competent orthodontist evaluates your clinical situation and chooses the appliance that will solve the problem more effectively and quickly.
Who treats on aligners?
