Is it better to wear braces or invisible braces to straighten teeth?

Author: Lin Jing Peking University School of Stomatology

Reviewer: Gao Xuemei, Chief Physician, Peking University School of Stomatology

In recent years, with the improvement of living standards, people pay more and more attention to oral health. At the same time, the number of people who have their teeth corrected has increased significantly. Dental correction is orthodontics, and braces are also called orthodontic appliances. Many people wonder, is it better to wear braces or invisible braces to correct teeth? In fact, orthodontists will choose different types of orthodontic appliances according to different dental deformities. Most children's early corrections use personalized removable appliances and functional appliances; while in the permanent dentition correction stage, that is, patients over 12 years old, will involve the choice of braces or invisible braces. Let's get to know these orthodontic appliances together.

Braces are a type of fixed orthodontic appliance. Fixed orthodontic appliances are appliances (brackets) bonded to the tooth surface and fixed force-added archwires, which patients cannot remove or put on by themselves.

Brackets include traditional metal brackets or metal self-ligating brackets, ceramic brackets that are close to the color of teeth, and plastic brackets.

Figure 1 Real person demonstration of metal brackets Figure 2 Real person demonstration of ceramic brackets Figure 3 Model of metal self-ligating brackets

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Invisible braces generally refer to invisible orthodontic appliances without brackets. They are designed by computer-aided 3D digital simulation and are customized transparent elastic material devices that are wrapped around the tooth surface and can be put on and removed at will.

Figure 4 Invisible braces model Figure 5 Real person demonstration of invisible braces

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Speaking of invisible, there is also a lingual brace. No device can be seen from the front of the teeth. All devices are installed on the inner side of the teeth for orthodontic treatment, and the teeth are aligned quietly. This type of brace is also glued to the teeth, and the patient cannot take it off by himself.

Figure 6 Lingual braces model Figure 7 Real person demonstration of lingual braces

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So, how should we choose the right orthodontic appliance? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the above orthodontic appliances? Let's introduce them one by one:

1. Metal braces (brackets)

Traditional metal braces (brackets) are domestically produced products that are cheap, not easily damaged, and cost-effective. They can be used by most patients. They have a relatively good tooth control effect and can also achieve good results in difficult cases, with little impact on pronunciation. However, their aesthetics need to be improved.

2. Ceramic braces and plastic braces (brackets)

These are also called semi-invisible braces. The main difference from traditional metal braces is the material. Their color is close to the color of teeth and they are relatively aesthetically pleasing. However, ceramic brackets are not as strong as metal brackets, are bulky, and are more abrasive to the mouth. They are also more expensive, and the color of the arch wire itself cannot be hidden.

3. Self-ligating appliance (bracket)

The bracket of the self-ligating braces is a type of metal bracket. Compared with metal braces, it only has slight differences in the device. It uses a sliding cover instead of ligation, but its price is higher than traditional metal braces.

The above three types of orthodontic appliances are fixed appliances that patients cannot wear or take off by themselves. During regular follow-up visits, the doctor will adjust the force according to the stage of treatment. The strong chewing force of the patient when eating may cause it to fall off or be damaged, which will prolong the course of orthodontic treatment. Therefore, patients wearing fixed appliances should pay special attention when eating, avoid eating large pieces of hard food, remove the core of food with a core first, and remove the shell of nuts with shells before eating.

Fixed braces are fixed to the teeth and will not be lost. They do not need to be worn by the patient, but their aesthetics and comfort need to be improved. Fixed braces also make it difficult to remove food residues and soft plaque, especially at the edges of the brackets, between teeth, and on the edges of the gums. Long-term wearing of fixed braces leads to poor oral hygiene, which can easily lead to tooth demineralization and even caries. Therefore, patients should brush their teeth carefully and pay attention to oral hygiene.

4. Invisible braces

When wearing invisible braces, the doctor will bond some very small resins (accessories) of the same color as the teeth on the patient's teeth in order to more accurately control the direction of the teeth. New invisible braces are gradually replaced in sequence, and the teeth are continuously moved in a small range without wires or brackets. They are usually replaced every 7 to 10 days until the teeth are aligned. The price of invisible braces is higher than that of fixed braces. Patients can take them off at any time when eating or brushing their teeth, but long interruptions will prolong the course of treatment. Therefore, invisible braces require very high patient compliance. Patients must ensure that they wear them for 22 hours a day and have regular checkups. If the patient does not wear them regularly as required, the teeth may go off track.

5. Lingual braces

The effect of lingual braces is similar to that of traditional metal appliances, but the technical requirements are special and the cost is higher than that of traditional metal appliances. Some issues should also be noted, including: ① Since lingual braces are installed on the inner side of the teeth, tartar is easily condensed near the opening of the salivary glands, which is not conducive to tooth cleaning. This requires patients to clean their teeth more carefully and need regular teeth washing; ② Lingual braces occupy the space for tongue movement, and the discomfort may be more obvious, which may affect pronunciation, but patients usually adapt gradually over a certain period of time.

You should know that the more expensive the braces are, the better they are. Braces are just a tool for doctors to correct patients' teeth. Therefore, it is recommended that patients choose a professional and regular dental medical institution according to their own situation and consult a doctor in detail to determine the right tooth correction method for them. If you are looking for cost-effectiveness, you can choose metal braces; if you are looking for invisible beauty, you can choose the corresponding products.