Clear Aligner Therapy vs Traditional Braces Vista, CA

Oral hygiene –

Another factor to compare when evaluating Clear Aligner Therapy vs. traditional braces for teens is oral hygiene. This is a big deal because, as a dentist, we do not want any of our patients to suffer from decay and as a parent, you do not want your child to end up with a bunch of cavities. At North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, our solution is to provide teens with Clear Aligner Therapy instead of braces. When wearing braces, the risk for decay naturally goes up because it is harder to keep teeth clean. With Clear Aligner Therapy, the aligners come out while brushing so their oral hygiene routine can remain virtually the same. The only slight difference is that the aligners need to be brushed with warm water and a soft toothbrush before being put back in. We can also recommend a special cleaning solution but otherwise, the process is the same as always and completely easy. If your teen gets braces instead, they will need to use a special flossing tool and a brush that looks like a tree to get the food particles and plaque off of the area around the brackets. This has to be repeated for every tooth so you can imagine how much longer it will take.

School activities –

Don't forget school activities when comparing Clear Aligner Therapy vs. traditional braces for teens. At North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we have found that the majority of our patients do more than simply go to school. They are in the band, choir, play sports, act in the school play, etc. In other words – they are busy. Braces can interfere with this because they can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to play an instrument. They can also create a hazard when playing high-impact sports. Fortunately, Clear Aligner Therapy does not. The aligners can be removed during any of these activities so that your teen does not have to sacrifice anything to straighten their teeth. They will be far happier with the process as a result. If you are unsure about a specific activity and how Clear Aligner Therapy could impact it, visit our Vista, CA dental office to speak with Dr. Henninger.

After braces –

Once your teen is done wearing clear aligners or traditional braces they will need to wear a retainer. It is normal and few, if any, can escape this reality. The reason is simple. Teeth can revert back to their old position, if only slightly. Wearing a retainer at night, can help to keep teeth in the correct and improved position. The good news is that your teen will be so used to wearing their aligners, a retainer will not seem like a big deal. In our Vista dental office, we can explain the various options for retainers but typically recommend a clear, full retainer that closely resembles the aligners they are accustomed to.

Call our Vista, California dental office at 760-940-2273 to discuss this solution in further detail. At North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we can answer your questions and help your teen to make an informed decision regarding their orthodontics treatment. We are located in the Vista area and look forward to meeting you to discuss Clear Aligner Therapy Teen®.