Hi there, Alistair King here from Central Coast Orthodontics. One of the most common questions I get asked in the clinic by patients or their parents is what is the difference between braces and aligners and which one should they choose?

It really is a personal decision so I thought we should make this video to help you understand the difference.

Braces are made of metal or porcelain and are attached to your teeth. Wires and rubber bands are then used to provide a force to help the teeth move into the correct position. Braces have been around for many many years and have been refined and developed over time to enable them to treat all orthodontic problems.

Because there are a variety of different types of braces, you can choose how they look. This might mean decorating them with colours for fun or perhaps choosing something more discreet such as porcelain braces.

Because they are glued to your teeth you can’t forget to wear them or misplace them which can be useful for some patients. However, one of the challenges with braces is that oral hygiene can a bit more difficult because there are extra spots for plaque to build up. This means that your brushing needs to be more thorough and more regular than normal. When your braces are fitted, we will go through all the cleaning instructions with you so you know how to do it properly.  Also, some foods can be difficult to manage with braces as it is possible to break a brace off if you bite on something too hard.

Aligners, on the other hand, are removable. This means your brushing is much easier and you have fewer restrictions on the foods you can eat. Being clear plastic, they are less noticeable than braces which makes them more appealing for some people. To help the aligner grip the teeth properly there are usually small bumps of resin placed on the teeth.  This helps the movements of the teeth to be much more precise. These bumps of resin are then removed at the end of treatment.

Even though it’s great that the aligners are removable you have to make sure that you wear them enough for them to work properly. This means wearing them full time and only removing them to eat or when cleaning your teeth. Most patients are fine with this, but some people can find it challenging.

So there’s a lot to consider when you are weighing up options of your orthodontic treatment. Hopefully, you have found this video useful to help you decide what suits you best. There are no right or wrong answers however being informed about your choice and what it means on a day to day basis is very important.

If you are exploring orthodontic treatments for you or your child, we would love to look after you. We are available in both Gosford and Erina. Simply give us a call, complete the enquiry form on the website, or send us a direct message on social media, and we will help you organise an appointment that is closest to you. See you in the next video!

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