aligners vs braces

Do You Have To Wear Teeth Aligners Forever?

So, you’re getting teeth aligners. Congratulations! You’re now getting closer to bringing out that beautiful smile. 

But, is it true that you have to wear your dental aligners forever? How long does it take to complete the treatment? These are just some of the few questions we usually get during the initial consultation. 

In today’s blog post, let’s find out some of the factors that can affect the duration of your orthodontic treatment. Let’s also compare the most popular teeth straightening options available today. 

Hopefully, this article can help you understand this treatment process and help you make more informed decisions. 

Why do you need dental aligners or braces? 

Do you still take selfies with your lips closed? Are you getting conscious when smiling or talking to people because of crooked teeth? Do you experience pain or discomfort when biting or chewing food? If so, you should see a qualified dentist or an orthodontist. 

Dental aligners or braces can treat crooked or misaligned teeth. In addition to aesthetic factors, this orthodontic treatment can also help improve your overall oral health. Our trusted dental professionals at ALINA can help determine the perfect teeth alignment treatment for you. 

Here are some of the possible reasons you might need dental aligners or braces: 

Crowding 

This is one of the reasons our dentist may recommend getting teeth aligners. If there’s not enough roof in your mouth for all your teeth, then this could be a crowding issue. 

Left untreated, crowded teeth can lead to numerous oral health problems, such as gum disease, tooth damage, and chewing difficulties. 

Dental aligners can help solve this problem. Additionally, correcting crowded teeth can also help brighten your smile! 

Spacing

Are you bothered by your irregularly shaped teeth that create wide gaps when you smile? There’s no need to worry! ALINA can help reclaim your smile. 

And if you think those gaps between your teeth are just cosmetic problems, think again. This can also lead to numerous dental problems like gum problems, cavities, tooth decay, and bad breath. 

Overbite 

If you experience your bottom teeth bite into the roof of your mouth or completely disappear when you bite, you might be dealing with a pronounced overbite. Left untreated, overbites can also cause numerous issues, including damage to your gums and front teeth. 

Our dental experts can improve your smile by fixing your overbite with the help of custom-fit aligner braces. 

Underbite 

If your lower teeth overlap your front teeth when you smile, you might be dealing with underbite problems. Depending on the severity of the underbite, complications can range from mild to severe, which can also take a toll on your health and wellness. 

In some cases, an underbite can cause chronic jaw pain, headaches, toothaches, dizziness, and even hearing problems. If your underbite is due to misaligned teeth, dental aligners or braces can help correct this problem.

Open bite 

If you notice a gap between your upper and lower teeth, then you might be dealing with an open bite problem. People dealing with this bite problem often experience eating and speech difficulties. 

How long do you need to wear your aligners? 

If you have removable clear aligners or dental aligners, you should wear them for at least 22 hours every day to achieve desired results. 

You can only remove them when you need to eat, brush or floss your teeth. You should also avoid wearing your aligners when drinking dark beverages like coffee or soda. 

On average, it may take 6 to 12 months or even more to complete the treatment, depending on the severity of the condition. 

Common teeth alignment issues and duration of the treatment

Dental aligners are not one-size-fits-all solutions. The treatment plan and its duration depend from one case to another. Here are common alignment issues that removable aligners can treat:

Dental aligners to close gaps

Aligners can close small or minor gaps in 6 to 7 weeks. However, keep in mind that your dentist may also require wearing retainers after completing your aligners to achieve decent results.  

Dental aligners for crowded teeth 

For mild cases of crowded teeth, you may need to wear aligners for 6 months. For severe cases of crowding, your dentist may recommend using headgear or removing some teeth. 

Dental aligners for misaligned teeth 

Correcting misaligned teeth is one of the reasons your dentist may require you to wear aligners. On average, fixing misaligned teeth with dental aligners may take 1 to 2 years, depending on the severity of your condition. 

Clear aligners vs braces 

To help you make more informed decisions, here’s a brief comparison of clear aligners vs traditional braces:

Advantages of clear aligners 

Aesthetic factor:

Clear aligners or invisible braces are less noticeable than traditional or metal braces. 

No food restrictions:

Since clear aligners are removable, there will be no food restrictions. Just make sure to remove your aligners before eating. So, yes! You can get back that beautiful smile and still eat your favorite food! 

Hygiene:

Again, since clear aligners are removable, brushing or flossing your teeth is much easier! 

Appointments:

Thanks to advanced technological advancements, you can expect fewer dental visits. At ALINA, the process is simple and convenient. After your consultation, our scanning team will go to your place to take your dental impressions. 

From there, our highly skilled dental technicians can now design and construct your aligners. Once done, we can now deliver your aligners to your doorstep. Since your teeth slowly adjust, expect to get a new set of aligners every month until you complete the treatment. 

Comfort:

Many patients also say that clear aligners are also more comfortable than metal braces. Metal wirings and brackets fixed to your teeth can cause irritation in your mouth.

On the other hand, clear aligners are made of polyurethane resin plastic, which makes this option more comfortable. And since clear aligners are removable, you are more likely less prone to injuries when engaging in physical activities or contact sports. 

Advantages of metal braces 

  • Applicable to all cases: Clear aligners can only work in mild to moderate cases. On the other hand, metal braces can also treat some severe cases of misaligned and crooked teeth. 
  • Compliance: Since they are fixed to your teeth, there’s no reason to forget to wear them or lose them. 
  • Cost: Metal braces are usually more affordable than other types of dental aligners.

Disadvantages of metal braces

  • Hygiene: Performing oral hygiene can be challenging as metal braces are fixed to your teeth. 
  • Diet: With metal trays attached to your teeth, you may need to adjust your diet. Hard food can get stuck to those metal trays and wirings, which can cause damage and affect the treatment progress. 
  • Comfort: Generally, metal braces are more likely to cause discomfort than removable aligners. Having metal wires attached to your teeth also makes you more prone to injuries, especially when you play sports. 
  • Appearance: Some patients get self-conscious about having metal brackets fixed to their teeth. They are quite noticeable since they are made up of metal wiring and brackets. 
  • Appointments: Metal braces require more appointments as the dentist needs to adjust the brackets and wirings when your teeth move or shift. 

Are you ready for the perfect teeth alignment? ALINA has you covered. We have a dynamic team of dental experts who are well-versed in designing invisible aligners that don’t only straighten your teeth, but also make you more beautiful. 

ALINA Aligners utilize the latest in 3-D scanning and printing with AI technology to create that perfect smile that complements your facial features. With ALINA, you can be assured you’re on track for a smile that attracts. 
Click here to book a virtual consult with us and begin your ALINA journey today.

The ALINA Promise

We guarantee the quality work and support in your journey to your perfect smile. If at any time during your treatment that you’ll need adjustments, we’ll be there to help you get back on track.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mellodine Manalo

Mellodine Manalo

The ALINA Promise

ALINA guarantees a smile unique to you—so you can finally uncover your smile.