Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Why Choose Clear Tray Braces Over Other Teeth Straightening Options?

8 December 2015

Duane Kelly

Crooked teeth are not only unsightly, but they can also be unhealthy. When teeth are very crooked, they may not get the support they need from surrounding teeth, and they may also be more likely to cut the inside of your cheeks. In some cases, they can even rub up against each other so that they suffer earlier erosion and wear.

You have many options available to you when it comes to straightening your teeth, from standard wire braces to simply capping them or adding bonding material over their surface. However, invisible or clear braces, or what are called tray braces, can be a good choice as well. These are molded to fit your teeth and gently nudge them into place. Note a few reasons why you may want to choose these tray braces over any other option.

1. Easier cleaning

It can be difficult to get all food particles out from around wire braces, and you may need to use a special type of floss or brush that slides between the wires and other pieces. When cleaning is this difficult, it's easy for the person wearing braces to neglect their oral hygiene, and in turn, their teeth suffer. With tray braces, you can simply remove the tray and then clean your teeth as usual, clean the tray very easily, and slide it back into place. This can mean healthier teeth and gums and less risk of bad breath due to poor oral hygiene.

2. Less risk of damage to the braces

Wire braces can be damaged or broken by eating very solid food or sticky foods or with an enthusiastic brushing. This can mean another trip to your orthodontist to have the wires replaced, which can be expensive and cumbersome. With tray braces, you're much less likely to damage them. They can be removed when eating and then placed back when you're done and aren't going to be damaged by your toothbrush or floss.

3. Less pain

Tray braces do nudge teeth into place, so there may be some discomfort with them, especially when you get a new tray that fits snugly to push teeth into place. However, remember that metal and wire braces not only get tightened regularly but can also cut into the cheeks and gums. This can make them even more painful than tray braces overall. If you're worried about the discomfort of metal braces, tray braces may be the right choice for you.

For more information about tooth straightening options like Invisalign, contact a local dentist or orthodontist. 

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