Braces vs Aligners

Both braces and clear aligners has its strengths and weaknesses. Both has a proven history as suitable orthodontic solution for decades. When appropriate, our office also offer hybrid treatments to utilize the strengths of both solutions. Potential patients should definitely consult with their orthodontist to see which solution is the best for their individual needs. Here are some factors to consider when comparing the two solutions.

Patient Responsibility

  • Many parents may think their child may not be responsible enough for clear aligners and would prefer braces. However, it needs to be emphasized that brace patients also has great responsibility as well. Their food diet restriction needs to be followed or else it will incur higher breakages, more unplanned visits that are harder to schedule. More responsibility is also required for braces patients for oral hygiene.

  • Our office will always evaluate on patient’s maturity when considering treatment options. Depending on the patient’s individual conditions, deferring treatment sometimes may be an option until the patient is ready.

Costs

  • Braces may cost more or less depending on the situation. Braces typically has lower material cost but higher labour cost.

Treatment Duration

  • Braces and clear aligner treatment can both have similar treatment duration. However, there are specific scenarios that one appliance may be faster than the other.

  • There is a misconception that stronger appliances means faster treatment. This is a crude understanding of the appliances as there is a limit to orthodontic movements in every dimension. There can be increased chance of negative side effects (e.g. greater relapse, root resorption) if teeth are pushed too hard.

  • Please consult with the orthodontist directly for any case-specific explanations.

Appointment Scheduling

  • Braces appointments are generally longer - all adjustments are done within the in-person appointment timeslot

  • Clear aligners are generally shorter - majority of adjustments for done outside of in-person appointment timeslot

  • Braces requires more visits, generally every 6-8 weeks. Also account for higher chance of breakages that may impact your own daily schedule.

  • Clear aligners appointments can be spaced up to 3 months, when the aligners are tracking well.

Treatment Outcome

  • The orthodontist will clarify if any stronger appliances or even partial braces are necessary if there are some stubborn or difficult orthodontic movements.

  • Generally, aligner treatments allows more detailed planning (< 1 mm) and braces’ adjustments can easily be 1+ mm (as it is done by hand). However, please note that 1mm movement is within normal orthodontic settling range.

Comfort

  • Aligners are smoother and more comfortable to wear compared to braces. Generally, patient reports much better experience than wearing braces

Wear Time

  • Clear aligners requires 20+ hours daily wear. They need to be taken off every time patient drinks or eats, apart from plain water. Patient will also need to switch aligners from time to time. If this is not followed, it will negatively impact the treatment outcome and/or extend the treatment with additional costs.

  • Braces are glued and mostly remains until the end of treatment.

Oral Hygiene & Maintenance

  • Patients will brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day.

  • Braces will require more detailed cleaning due to the higher chance of dental plaque accumulation on the rough surfaces. Special flossers are recommended.

  • Aligners can be cleaned by gently brushing as well. Additionally, our office highly recommends the aligners to be soaked in denture cleaner solutions to further reduce chance of discoloration.

  • Please check out our Braces Tips and Clear Aligner Tips page.