Around 57% of Americans feel self-conscious or embarrassed by the looks of their teeth. That’s a lot of people that don’t like their teeth.
Do you feel this way? If so, have you considered getting braces?
Braces offer a way to improve the looks of your teeth if they’re crooked, and you can compare clear braces vs. metal braces.
Both options offer a way to have straighter teeth, but these types of braces are very different. Here are some of the differences to know about metal braces and clear ones.
Braces Work From Pressure
For starters, you might wonder how braces help straighten a person’s teeth. The answer is through pressure. Braces place pressure on the teeth to shift them into a different position.
So, what are metal braces, and how do they force pressure on the teeth? Metal braces contain several components, including brackets on each tooth and a wire running through the brackets.
An orthodontist tightens the wires, which in turn place pressure on the teeth, causing them to shift slowly.
Next, you might wonder, what are clear braces, and how do they force pressure? Clear braces consist of aligners you wear over your teeth. These aligners fit snugly over the teeth putting pressure on them.
With clear braces, you must get new aligners every few weeks. When you wear the first set, they’ll feel tight. After wearing them a few weeks, your teeth will shift, and the aligners will no longer feel tight.
Each set gradually moves your teeth into the proper positions.
Clear Braces vs. Metal Braces Look Different
When you compare metal braces and clear braces, the main thing you might notice is the looks. These two options look very different.
You can see metal braces quite clearly when a person wears them. When a person wears clear braces, you might not notice they have braces, as they blend in with the teeth.
Other Differences
You’ll find a few other differences with clear braces and metal ones, too. One difference is how you can get them.
To get metal braces, you must go to an orthodontist. The orthodontist places them on your teeth and requires monthly visits to maintain them.
You can also get clear braces by visiting an orthodontist, but you can also order them through the mail. You can read through a clear braces buying guide to learn more about what to look for if you choose this method.
The other difference is that you can remove clear braces, whereas metal braces remain on your teeth until the orthodontist removes them.
If you’re looking for a way to straighten your teeth that is less noticeable, you’ll want to choose clear braces.
Learn More Before Choosing a Type
As you compare clear braces vs. metal braces, you will see that they are different. You’ll also see that both options offer a way to improve the looks of your teeth.
If you enjoyed reading this blog, check out the rest of our site for more helpful articles.
