The straightening of teeth is a common dental process for both kids and adults. In some cases, braces are used to correct serious bite and other issues. Most dentists offer metal braces for orthodontic treatments. However, clear braces, or clear aligners as well as traditional metal braces have their own pros and cons.

Clear braces are actually transparent trays  designed and personalized for the patient by companies like Smile Direct Club, to be worn over the teeth. Metal braces have clips that are glued onto the teeth. A wire is then run through the clips to apply the pressure required to align the teeth. Following certain factors that you can consider before choosing the right dental process:

1. Aesthetics
Clear aligners as the name suggests is less visible than traditional metal braces. The visibility of metal brace is sometimes a deterrent to people who need their teeth to be realigned. This is a key advantage in favor of clear aligners while comparing it with traditional metal braces.

2. Speech
Metal braces are bulkier than the clear trays. They interfere with speech and sometimes cause issues with clarity of speech. Clear aligners would also feel strange in the mouth initially. But after the patient is accustomed to it, it does not cause any speech issues.

3. Treatment time
Braces usually give much quicker results than clear aligners. This could be because the patient cannot remove metal braces and they stay in the mouth 24/7. However, patients may take their clear trays out and place them back after a gap. This causes the treatment time to be extended.

4. Carelessness
If the patient is too young or absentminded, there is always the chance of misplacing or losing the clear trays. Braces have no such risk. A patient must also be dedicated to the wearing of the clear trays to get results. Patient compliance is not an issue with braces.

5. Application of force
Clear aligners apply force to the base of the tooth alone. Braces, however, are designed to apply pressure over the entire tooth in order to realign it. Comparing clear aligners and traditional metal braces, braces are a far superior method when there are serious or complex issues.

6. Hygiene and food restrictions
Both braces and clear aligners have their own set of challenges when it comes to hygiene. Braces tend to get food particles trapped in them. They need to be cleaned just as one would clean teeth while brushing. Hard or sticky foods can damage braces or get stuck in them. So, the patient has to be more careful about what they eat with braces. Clear aligners need to be removed every time the patient eats or drinks anything. This means that there is no restriction on any food or drink. However, the teeth should be clean after every meal when the patient replaces the clear trays. Food debris can stain the clear trays.

7. Exceptions
Patients who play contact sports where there is likely to be trauma to the mouth area cannot wear braces. Any impact to the mouth will cause more serious issues with metal braces. Clear aligners, on the other hand, is not recommended for patients who have bridgework, serious bite issues, or need a tooth to be rotated.

The choice of Clear braces vs. traditional metal braces rests ultimately with the orthodontist. However, for an alignment that can be performed with clear aligners, it is more modern and aesthetically pleasing than metal braces.