For most people having to wear a brace on their teeth for several months can be quite daunting. Traditionally, they were forced to wear something that was either uncomfortable or garish to look at or both.

However in recent years, technological research has developed a range of new braces which are not only much more comfortable to wear but are also aesthetically pleasing.

But even so, for many people it would be even better to have something that is invisible or at least almost invisible to look at. And that’s where Invisalign braces come into their own. They could even be called the perfect brace.

Invisalign braces use a series of clear, removable teeth aligners whereas traditional braces tend to have fixed parts which over time can cause some discomfort as well as embarrassment for the wearer.

Invisalign braces on the other hand are effectively clear and can be removed when necessary.

Advantages of Clear Braces

The main advantage to wearing such braces is cosmetic. The aligners are completely transparent and therefore unobtrusive.

Also, since the aligners can be removed, food can be eaten without any of the parts getting in the way. Moreover it makes cleaning teeth and gums much easier.

While not proved, it is also said that the actual process of fitting clear braces is a lot quicker than fitting traditional fixed metal braces. Further they are said to work faster at straightening the teeth.

Disadvantages of Clear Braces

While clear braces have advantages for the fashion conscious individual they are not perfect in every way. There are some disadvantages to wearing them. For example, fitting them does depend on the cooperation of the patient. Further, ensuring they remain in place when needed is out of control of the dentist.

Similarly, since they are removable they can perhaps be lost. What’s more, they are more expensive than traditional methods, so losing them can be costly in more ways than one.

Patients’ habits can also affect the wear of the device. For instance, if the individual grinds his or her teeth this can easily damage the aligners.

Finally, the aligners are known to cause minor allergic reactions in some patients, such as a sore throat, a cough or in more severe cases, nausea.