Which Orthodontic Treatment Option is Right for You?
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we are proud to offer both braces and clear aligner options for patients looking to straighten their teeth and correct bite issues. But which option is best for you?
At the end of the day, the answer to this question comes down to you. Your specific orthodontic needs, lifestyle, and personality all factor into which treatment option is most suitable for you.
Both braces and clear aligners are highly effective orthodontic treatment options; neither is fundamentally better than the other, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Read through the information below to get an understanding of when each treatment option is typically most suitable. Then, when you visit us for your consultation, we will work with you to determine the best option for resolving your orthodontic issues.
Flexible Payment Plans
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we know orthodontic care is a big decision. To make budgeting for care easier, we offer flexible, in-house payment options, including 0% interest plans and low down payment options. So you can focus on your family's smiles.
How Clear Aligners Work & What to Expect
Clear aligners straighten teeth by applying gentle, consistent pressure to teeth over a period of time.
Treatment consists of a series of custom-made, clear aligners. Each aligner is slightly different than all the others and plays a specific role in the treatment process. Once you have worn an aligner for the prescribed amount of time, you simply swap it out for the next aligner in your series. This process continues until the desired results are achieved.
Features of clear aligner treatment that our patients often appreciate include:
Clear Construction
Clear aligners are made of a lightweight, transparent material, making them almost invisible when worn. This makes clear aligners a great choice for people who want a lower-profile look.
Clear aligner patients typically find that few of the people they encounter on a day-to-day basis even notice that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners are definitely a barely-there orthodontic treatment option.
Convenient & Removable
Another feature of clear aligners is the convenience of being removable. Removability means your daily oral hygiene routine stays much the same as before your treatment began. Simply take out your aligners, then brush and floss your teeth just like you always do.
You can also take the aligners out to eat, which means you don't have to deal with any food restrictions, and you can take them out for pictures, for date night, and more.
No Friction from Wires or Brackets
Regardless of your orthodontic treatment option, periodic discomfort is likely to happen from time to time. This minor soreness is a sign that your teeth are moving towards their new positions.
That said, many people find that the smooth construction of clear aligners helps minimize additional irritation of the soft tissues of the mouth, making clear aligners a comfortable treatment option.
Clear Aligners & Braces in Calgary
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we offer treatment with Damon braces and clear aligners for patients of all ages. Our orthodontists will assess your smile's needs and help you choose the treatment option that is right for you.
How Braces Work & What to Expect
Braces use brackets, wires and elastic bands to apply targeted pressure that gently shifts teeth and improves bite alignment over a period of time.
But the braces of today aren't the clunky, uncomfortable face-full-of-metal that you might be picturing from decades ago. Today's braces are more streamlined, more comfortable, and (dare we say?) cooler than ever before. Treatment consists of regular appointments that allow your orthodontist to make precise adjustments that will guide your teeth to their corrected positions.
Features of orthodontic braces that our patients often appreciate include:
Versatility
Braces can be used to resolve virtually any misalignment, no matter how complex. This is because of their ability to apply strong, consistent pressure to the teeth.
Braces can be used to perform some of the most complex tooth movements, including rotating teeth, lengthening them, or paralleling roots in extraction cases. When these types of movements are necessary, braces are often the best treatment option.
Efficiency
Braces are capable of applying significant force, making them highly effective for correcting even the most stubborn and severe misalignments. This strength allows for treatment to progress as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Thanks to continuous advancements in design, braces used today are more discreet and durable than ever before, making them an excellent treatment option for patients of all ages.
Ease of Compliance
Clear aligners can be convenient, but they do require commitment. Remembering to put them back in after eating or brushing, especially on busy days, can sometimes be a challenge.
If you think that might be difficult, fixed braces offer a more structured option. Since they’re always working, you don’t have to think about wear time or fight the temptation to take breaks throughout the day.