5 Best Brace Alternatives You Should Consider

You have been planning to align your teeth for a while, but you’re not sure if you want to go for the traditional metal braces or not. And that’s completely fine.

This kind of dilemma is actually pretty common as braces can be uncomfortable at times for many adults and children. The great news is that there are other ways to improve your smile apart from braces!

However, at times, understanding what the possible options for metal braces are can be confusing. Hence, to help you out, we have gathered some of the best brace alternatives you should consider.

Difference Between Metal Braces and Other Braces

Before moving into the brace alternatives, you should keep in mind that some alternatives mentioned below are similar to braces but not quite the same. One of the examples would be transparent braces.

Perhaps you’ve read about transparent braces or heard about them. Even though they are braces, they may have a different impact on your dental health altogether. Hence, they are considered an alternative to metal braces by many dentists.

Brace Alternatives You Should Consider

Given in the list below are some of the best-known alternatives to metal braces and braces in general that you must look into.

However, before you go for any brace alternative, definitely discuss the alternate options with your Family Dentist to see which ones are best for you as not every kind of substitute is effective for every patient.

Cosmetic dentistry

As a substitute for metal braces, cosmetic dentistry is a great option. In this method, porcelain veneers use shells that are glued to one or more teeth that are extremely thin and strong. And the enamel is usually scraped from the tooth and ground.

If you choose veneers, you will have to restore them every five to ten years because this is a permanent change. The tooth’s location can be altered by the veneer, which is glued to it, making the tooth straighter or relocating it to close a gap.

The porcelain is very durable and stain-resistant. This could be a wonderful alternative for front teeth that are unappealing because it is quicker than braces. For any teeth that are significantly discolored, damaged, or cracked, veneers may also be advised.

Clean Aligners

Just like cosmetic dentistry, many adults very often choose clear aligners like Invisalign as an alternative to braces as well.

From small misaligned teeth and underbites to severe malocclusions, Invisalign may correct any or all of these issues. The teeth are covered by a succession of transparent, detachable “molds” that are offered by an orthodontist.

A new tray is used every 2 weeks for the course of the treatment, which involves transparent plastic trays that fit over the teeth. To accomplish this, a digital x-ray of the entire mouth is taken so that treatment can be arranged from start to finish.

The trays are prepared ahead of time, and as the teeth shift, a second tray is provided to keep pressure on the teeth until they are in the proper position.

Additionally, more consultations will be necessary to assess your overall dental health when using this method.

Ceramic Braces

Unlike metal braces, ceramic braces are a bit different. The color is the most noticeable distinction between metal and ceramic braces. The only difference between ceramic and metal braces is that the wires and brackets on ceramic braces are tooth-colored.

Although they are not completely invisible like translucent plastic trays, they are nonetheless difficult to detect and rarely appear in pictures until a person is directly in front of you.

These are a fantastic choice for individuals who want certain treatments that can only be treated with regular braces but don’t want the metal.

Retainers

Retainers are typically administered when one has completed his or her brace therapy or procedure to keep the alignment of the teeth. Nevertheless, they may also be recommended as a dental procedure to close gaps across teeth or move a single tooth.

These are often detachable for cleansing and thus are constructed of metal and plastic. You can also detach them when you are going for your lunch or dinner and reattach them later on.

The retainer can be modified as the treatment goes along and will be built specifically to address your dental issue.

Headgear

The last brace alternative is headgear. Headgear often receives negative feedback since it is the most noticeable orthodontic treatment.

It is typically used to treat patients with severe overbites and operates by applying pressure to the top teeth section and mandible to keep the teeth in a specific position. You can learn more about overbites to understand how headgears help prevent it.

Most patients dislike dental headers because of how constricting they are, yet they only need to be used for a couple of hours a day but the end results are much quicker compared to metal braces.

Patients usually use the device at night when they are sleeping. When eating, brushing teeth, or participating in sports, the headgear is usually taken off.

Braces vs Alternatives

There is no doubt that having clear, symmetrical teeth gives you more self-assurance when you smile, which is possible when you have braces on or have had dental therapy regarding it.

Not only do your teeth look great, but you also feel more confident as a result of your improved self-esteem regarding your looks. The results are really amazing when you have been wearing braces for a long period of time.

However, with braces on, the first few weeks are not comfortable at all. While braces do provide symmetrical teeth, when wearing them for the first time, the level of uneasiness might be very high.

With braces on, it is usually harder to keep your teeth healthy as it takes more time to floss, brush, and perform deep cleaning. In some cases, it may not be feasible at all.

Conclusion

If you have been with us this far, you have learned the best brace alternatives you should consider. And we hope now you will be able to understand which substitute is ideal for you when it comes to braces. So you should be able to make an informed decision. But don’t make it on your own based on what you just learned. Do consult your dentist and take their advice into account as well.