It’s a weird thing to say, but if you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth, now is the best time to be alive. Why? Because you have so many choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. But despite the immense popularity of clear aligners, for some patients, traditional braces offer the most straightforward path to a straight smile, offering several benefits people may have forgotten about over the years.
Nothing’s Too Complicated
Clear aligners were initially invented to help people with moderate crookedness and crowding improve their appearance, and while they have advanced a lot since the early days, braces are still the preferred choice when it comes to handling complicated orthodontic issues.
Severe crowding, impacted teeth, and advanced bite problems can all be reliably handled with braces that are simply beyond the scope of clear aligners. When it comes to misalignment that detracts from a person’s appearance, function, and day-to-day comfort, braces are able to deliver on all fronts no matter where a person is starting.
Set It & Forget It
One of the most important components of clear aligners is that the patient wears them for 20-22 hours a day, only taking them out to eat or brush their teeth. It requires a little bit of discipline and thinking ahead on the patient’s part, which for some people, is enough mental load for them to skip treatment altogether.
But because braces are bonded to the teeth and stay in place throughout the entire treatment process, they require less thought day to day, plus someone can’t forget or lose their braces.
Budget-Friendly
While this is changing, many dental insurance plans that offer an orthodontic benefit only cover traditional braces. That means for budget-conscious patients, they may be the most affordable path to a straight and healthy smile. Some plans still consider clear aligners to primarily be a cosmetic (i.e., elective) treatment and don’t have coverage, but the majority of policies will help offset the cost of braces.
There’s a reason braces have been around for so long, so they shouldn’t be overlooked. Thankfully, today’s braces are much smaller, more comfortable, and even faster than the ones you might have seen growing up, making them a more enticing option than ever before.
About the Author
Led by certified orthodontists Drs. Struble, Gambee, and Peterson, our practice strives to give every patient the straight smile they desire as well as a comfortable experience. We’ve helped countless people of all ages using traditional braces, clear aligners, and personalized treatment plans fully tailored to guarantee a beautiful, lasting result. For more details or to book a visit, contact us online or call our Bend or Redmond offices directly.