Clear Braces Maple Grove & Edina - Minneapolis Metro

Braces are never a fun part of growing up and no better as an adult! But with advancements in the dental field, clear braces are available to lessen the obvious appearance of metal bracket braces. Clear aligners are also a more aesthetically pleasing option. Both clear braces and clear aligners do an excellent job of aligning crooked teeth for a smile you can be confident in!

While it is most effective to straighten the teeth during the teenage years while the teeth and jaw are still developing, receiving orthodontic treatment as an adult is still an option. Your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for clear aligner therapy or if you have more extensive movement to accomplish, you may need to use braces with brackets and wires.

How does clear aligner therapy work?

Clear aligners such as Invisalign, use clear plastic aligners, or “trays”, which cover the whole arch to slowly shift the teeth into their desired position. Every 7 to 14 days, your orthodontist will have you change out to a new pair of aligners and every few months you will come in for a quick visit to check the progress. You may experience some soreness for a few days after receiving your new trays.

Clear aligners have to be worn for at least 20 hours each day, being removed only for eating and brushing. After eating, it is important that you brush your teeth well so that no food gets trapped in the aligners which can cause decay. You will also need to avoid drinking hot beverages with your aligners in so they do not warp.

Depending on your individual case, clear aligner therapy will take between 6 and 18 months. If you find that you are not a candidate for clear aligner therapy, braces are another option.

Clear vs Metal Braces

Both clear and metal braces use a bracket and wire system to move your teeth. Brackets are strategically attached to each tooth and a wire is run through the brackets. The wire is periodically tightened to turn the teeth which does cause a bit of soreness on the whole arch. Braces take a bit longer than clear aligners, between 18 and 24 months.

Clear brackets are made using either a plastic polycarbonate or clear ceramic material. A wire is still used to connect the brackets but a white archwire can help keep the braces less obvious. There are also technologies that use brackets with wires that are not fixed to the bracket such as Damon Clear, allowing a self-ligating system that reduces the friction between the teeth as they move, allowing for fewer check-ups and making the braces more comfortable to wear.

Bracket systems take additional effort on your part during your oral hygiene routine. It is important to brush thoroughly, especially in the hard to reach places. You may also experience some sores from the brackets rubbing against your cheeks but orthodontic wax can be placed on the offending bracket to relieve the friction.

Types of Clear Braces

• Damon Clear Braces: These use the self-ligating technology that allows the archwire to tighten itself. The continual adjusting over the period the braces are worn tends to be more comfortable for the patient since they are not undergoing one intense tightening every few weeks. Damon Clear also allow for fewer check-ups and are easier to keep clean.
• Clearstep Braces: Clearstep is a clear aligner treatment that must be worn at least 22 hours per day. They also have a whitening gel that can be used with their aligners so once you have completed treatment, your teeth will not only be straight, they will be bright and white!
• 3M Clarity ADVANCED: These braces are designed to be stain-resistant which can be a problem with other clear brackets and cause you to change your diet so that you do not discolor your clear brackets. The brackets also have a rounded edge to reduce irritation in the mouth.
• Invisalign: Probably the most well known and popular of the clear aligner market, Invisalign uses clear trays to slowly shift teeth into a straight position. They have expanded their range to accommodate teenagers with Invisalign Teen and for patients with minor movement needed, Invisalign Express. Clear aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours each day.
• ClearCorrect: Another clear aligner option which costs less than Invisalign but uses the same technology.

Which brand should you choose?

If your dentist offers any orthodontia, they likely only work with one or two brands. Speak with your dentist to see what they offer and do a little research. If you do not like their options, look for another provider that uses the brand you think would best suit your needs and lifestyle.