Metal Braces vs Invisalign Braces - Essay Example

Number] Dental Braces As there has been advancement in the technology and healthcare resources, there are more choices for braces than ever. Patients now have a variety of options when it is about braces to maintain their bright smile. There are traditional metal braces and newly developed invisalign braces which ensure straight and healthy teeth for patients. Both the types have different features and advantages over one another. This report will discuss the differences, advantages, and disadvantages between metal braces and invisalign braces. Metal braces are also called traditional braces as they have been traditionally used in healthcare and are one of the first types of braces. These metal braces usually consist of small metal wires and brackets that are joined and bonded with each tooth. These are the braces which generally people picture as they hear about braces. They consist of metal wires which are attached to brackets that are fixed to each tooth in a row. These wires can be tightened or loosened by the orthodontists according to the need of the patient and they can provide control to the straightening process of the teeth. Their most distinctive feature is that they are visible metal wires that are sometimes considered embarrassing or a sign for ill dental health (Krishnan 2). The other type of braces is the modern type called invisalign. They are called invisalign because they are invisible and are aligned to the teeth as they are custom made. This option is suitable for most of the patients as it is a modern type of braces and it is worn and replaced every two weeks. There is no need of wires or metal brackets as the aligners are made of plastic. These aligners move the teeth into place and straighten them progressively. The treatment and the straightening process from these invisaligners take about 1 and a half years maximum (Carson 70). These invisaligners are the best alternative to traditional braces and are widely used nowadays. However, there are several limitations that hinder the widespread usage of these modern braces and complete elimination of the metal braces (Carson 70). Metal braces and invisalign braces both have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the metal braces over the modern type of braces can still be figured out and valued. The most important advantage is that the traditional metal braces are less expensive. In an era where the healthcare facilities are reaching new heights, patients find it easier to buy the less expensive type of braces. These braces also provide control to the orthodontists in the treatment. They are flexible and thus can be tightened or loosened as per the requirements of the patients (Freedman 33). Orthodontists feel their control on the treatment process and so it can be much quicker. The metal brackets have different coloured bands which may give the children an additional funky element to express themselves. Metal braces are also used for more complex cases as they have the tendency to straighten even the most crooked and gaped teeth. The main advantage of the invisalign braces over the metal braces is that they are invisible. Traditionally, children with braces are considered nerdy or not cool which can lower the confidence level of children. Thus these invisalign braces can be used by the children to give them confidence as their braces are no more visible (Chavan 55). Thus the brackets in these invisalign braces are less noticeable and smaller than the traditional metal braces. The modern type of braces also uses archwires which are heat-activated. They use the body heat to ensure the movement of the teeth quickly and much less painfully than the traditional metal braces. Invisalign braces are also much more comfortable for the patients, they are not heavy or don’t give any feeling of heaviness on the teeth. Moreover, they are comfortable while making speech and eating. In fact, patients can eat everything that they like without restrictions (Chavan 56). There are many disadvantages of each of the braces’ types. The disadvantages of the traditional metal braces are that they are very much noticeable and can be irritable in the first few months. These are metal brackets and wires which also give a heavy feeling in the mouth which can problem the patient while making speech and eating. Patients are restricted from eating many food items as the food particles can easily be stuck in the brackets. The visibility of the braces can cause social discomfort and lack of self-confidence especially in older patients. The maintenance of these braces may also be difficult as they require more time in cleaning. Retainers are also important when using metal braces and they must be worn for about two years after the braces are taken off. Traditional metal braces are also permanent in nature as they must not be removed during the treatment (Freedman 33). On the other hand, the disadvantages of the invisalign braces are that they are highly expensive. They can cost up to $8000 which is expensive for an average person to afford. Most of the patients nowadays cannot afford these braces because of their cost. Other disadvantages are that these invisalign braces are not good for complex teeth problems. They cannot be effective for teeth that have vertical problems means where teeth are lower or higher than one another (Phan 263). These invisalign braces cannot be used for severe teeth issues and are commonly made for just simple teeth straightening. They cannot also be used for overcrowded teeth. Moreover, they also limit the control on the treatment process and the movement of teeth. The treatment takes much longer and the braces have to be maintained and switched after every two weeks. In most of the cases, the invisalign braces are only used for adults not for children (Phan 263). They are also easily removable which means they can be easily lost and replacement costs are again higher. Thus, both the types of braces have their own advantages and disadvantages. The type of braces that a patient would choose depends on the intensity of teeth problem and the affordability. Work Cited Krishnan Vinod. Integrated Clinical Orthodontics. USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2011 Carson Kathleen. New Smile and Better Health in the 21st Century. USA: Lulu.com, 2011 Phan Xiem. Clinical Limitations of Invisalign. Canada: JCDA, 2007 Freedman George. Contemporary Esthetic Dentistry. NY: Elsevier, 2011 Chavan P. Invisalign: The Invisible Braces. UK: International Journal of Contemporary Dentistry, 2010 Read More