Braces VS Aligners

If you don’t have perfectly straight teeth, you’ve probably googled the advantages of aligners and the disadvantages of braces. Or the pros of braces and the cons of aligners. Let’s reveal a secret: such articles are usually written by copywriters or rewriters who have studied all the pluses and minuses through “Ok Google”. Which is “okay” but there is a better way. We interviewed the leading orthodontist of the network, Kateryna Marchenko, to learn about teeth firsthand.

Is there a difference in the result of treatment with aligners and braces?

No. There are doctors who know how to treat. Aligners or braces are nothing more than a tool. You can peel the potatoes with a knife, or you can use a special peeler. The easier and more comfortable it is for you, the faster you will peel.

Choosing braces — are the patient’s wishes taken into account?

It happens sometimes that the ceramics will not last long (for example, when distalized, it will crack). But the patient really wants the aesthetic version – the image / style / position obliges.

You can install ceramics on the majority of teeth, and metal on the ones that are under special stress, until the manipulation is completed. If the teeth in the lower jaw are very crowded, aesthetics cannot be applied, because they are thicker in profile. Then mini-sized metal is installed, turns are made, and then ceramic braces are placed. Sometimes it happens the other way around: the beginning is ceramics, and then metal to bring it to the ideal.

If the teeth are small, sensitive and narrow, can braces help?

No. Only as a preparatory stage and protection of the most sensitive areas. Braces can align dental arches, can create gaps that will later be covered with veneers or crowns.

Is it possible to install braces with implants and crowns at all?

If there are medical reasons, yes. But the braces fall off from the crowns. Therefore, a special ring is put on, which covers the bracket.

Implants do not move. They are not loaded. But you may have to change the crown on the implant. Height, width of teeth, correlation may change. If the crown is not replaced, food will get stuck.

For a better understanding: the crown is the visible part, i.e., the “tooth” itself. The implant remains in place in the gum; braces are not “traumatic” for it.

Is it true that aligners work faster than braces?

Yes. Braces do not know how to work pointwise – they are aimed at the simultaneous expansion of the entire dentition.

In case of aligners, a treatment plan is prescribed, where at a certain moment either a tooth or a group of teeth are moved. Individually. We know exactly the movement time. You do not need to adhere to the protocol, as with braces: wear one arch for three months.

Is it possible to produce not all aligners at once?

Let’s differentiate first: there are two systems of aligner manufacturers.

Original Invisalign system (USA). It is used when a large amount needs to be leveled or if bite should be corrected.

Aligners of Ukrainian production. They are used when 1-2 teeth need to “be returned to the family”.

The first ones are ordered only as a full set, for both jaws at once, with the possibility of additional order. The manufacturer provides a five-year warranty from the date these aligners are printed.

Domestic aligners can be ordered 10-15 caps per jaw.

If you still have more questions than answers, let’s outline the financial aspects.

Invisalign costs 152500 hryvnia without payment in installments. The first payment is 17500

hryvnia — for the treatment plan. The remaining amount is paid in a month or two.

One mouthpiece of a Ukrainian manufacturer costs 2400 hryvnia. They need to be ordered in quantity 10-15 per jaw. This option is suitable for those who have “cosmetics”. If a full-scale treatment is planned, you will not save money, and the result will be worse.

Are aligners effective for distal occlusion?

This pathology is common for Europeans: the lower jaw is displaced back. Depending on how much it is displaced, the braces may also fail (without teeth removal).

Aligners have special hooks or buttons that are attached to the tooth with an aligner, rubber bands cling to them, which pull the lower jaw forward. But it can be no more than 1 mm. This is very little. However, you can move the upper teeth back and they will meet. Aligners can help to achieve 3 mm distalization at the top and 1 mm at the bottom. You also need to understand the forward inclination of the teeth by TRG (teleroentgenogram). Thus, by placing the teeth in the correct position, it is possible to compensate for the gap.

Do you use distalizers to get the place?

Distalizers are devices that push teeth back.

For example, as a teenager you lost the front tooth, and the back tooth took its place. This space needs to be returned. Distalizers can be used, microimplants can also be used. Everything is individual.

Are there times when aligners won’t work, but braces will help?

Yes, if the doctor works well with braces and does not work with aligners.

I want braces or aligners. What should I do with tooth decay?

Still have not decided, braces or aligners? 🙂

If your teeth have received endoprocessing (nerve removal), temporary crowns / onlays are the way to go. When teeth are moved, an untreated tooth can crack.

From the moment braces or aligners are installed, orthodontic cleaning is required every three months. If caries is found, the therapist evaluates the access to the cavity. It is often possible to treat tooth decay without removing the braces. Sometimes you need to remove the arch. In extremely rare cases: remove the bracket, treat the cavity, return the same bracket to its place.

I’m from another city. How often will I need to come for visits?

Remember that there are two types of braces:

Classic (ligature). They have elastic elements that need to be changed every month. They stretch, change color.

There is a peculiarity here that needs to be discussed in more detail. Changing elastics is a very quick process – 30 seconds. Travelling to the clinic often takes 1.5 hours (if you live in Kyiv). At the end of the appointment, the patient has a fair question: “Was I coming for this?” Yes. 720 hryvnia for both jaws, please.

Self-ligating. Once every 2-3 months, you will need to come to replace the arch. There are no elements that “get tired” quickly. Exceptions: if the bracket is unstuck or the archwire crawled out over the lock.

Self-ligating braces are initially more expensive, but there is not much difference in maintenance. Let’s draw an analogy for a better understanding. You can buy an apartment without renovation in a new building or the same apartment with renovation and built-in household appliances. Initially, the “box” will cost less than the “full stuffing”. But calculate how much money and time you will need to invest in repairs later. The difference is small. The choice is yours to make!

Are facial symmetry and jaw position taken into account?

The orthodontist takes photos of the teeth. If, when smiling, the midline of the face does not connect with the central line of the teeth, you need to understand why. To fix this, orthognathic surgery is used — the jaw itself is re-fixed with regard to the skull bones.

Were the responses from a professional clear and helpful? In the future, we plan to conduct similar interviews with other network specialists. Follow us!