When many people think of getting braces, they envision traditional metal braces: uncomfortable, unattractive and taking years before achieving that perfect, straight smile. But this doesn’t have to be the case! AADvance Braces offer many benefits over traditional metal braces. These benefits include:
Speed
The length of time an individual wears traditional metal braces varies, but generally can take upwards of 2-3 years. An individual will require monthly braces tightening by an orthodontist during this time to ensure his or her metal braces straighten the teeth and align the jaw correctly. This can mean 24-36 times that you’ll have to take time off from work or school, 24-36 times you’ll have to sit in traffic, and 24-36 times you’ll have to wait in a waiting room and sit in the dental chair.
Additionally, after an individual has his or her metal braces removed, relapse may occur. To prevent relapse, an orthodontist may recommend a retainer be used to hold the teeth in their new position. Fixed or removable retainers are available. Like braces, the amount of time an individual requires a retainer varies. In some instances, an orthodontist may recommend full-time retainer use for up to six months after an individual has his or her braces removed. After that, an individual may need to wear a retainer only at night for at least a few years. Or, in other cases, an individual may require a fixed retainer that stays in place for up to five years.
Let’s not forget about the time required for retainer care and maintenance, either. Removable retainers need to be taken out before eating, brushing the teeth and participating in contact sports and other physical activities. If an individual loses his or her retainer, he or she will be responsible for the full cost of replacing it.
For those who want to reduce the time it takes to straighten their teeth — AADvance Braces are an ideal solution. Unlike traditional metal braces, AADvance Braces gently speed up the processes that move teeth into the correct position. Also, thanks to the combination of AADvance Braces and AADvance Auxiliary Devices, patients can get straight teeth in as little as four months.
Comfort
Although traditional metal braces are the most common braces used today, they are rarely comfortable for patients. Traditional metal braces are tied in with elastics or metal ligature ties, which cause friction and pressure, and can commonly poke patients. This makes traditional metal braces less comfortable than other types of braces and slows down the overall treatment cycle.
Furthermore, traditional metal braces require regular trips to an orthodontist for tightening. At this time, an orthodontist removes the ligatures, i.e. the rubber bands that are used to connect each metal bracket to the braces’ archwire. Next, the orthodontist removes the archwire, and he or she may ask a patient to brush and floss the teeth while the archwire is outside the mouth. The orthodontist then will place an archwire — which may be a new archwire or the previously removed archwire — onto the brackets. Finally, he or she will install new ligatures, which may put pressure on the teeth and cause temporary discomfort.
In the 12 to 24 hours after traditional metal braces are tightened, a patient may need to use over-the-counter pain medications and ice packs to alleviate teeth pain and discomfort. A soft diet that contains foods like Jello, pudding and soups also may be beneficial after metal braces are tightened, as soft foods are easier on the teeth than many other foods.
Comparatively, Acceledontics orthodontists use the latest orthodontic techniques to ensure AADvance Braces are more comfortable and work faster than their metal counterparts. AADvance Braces and AADvance Auxiliary Devices are lightweight and self-adjusting, and they gradually straighten the teeth by moving them into the proper position. Thus, AADvance Braces patients never have to worry about visiting an orthodontist to have their braces tightened. These patients instead can enjoy braces that allow the teeth to move into alignment over time with less pressure than traditional metal braces.
The analogy we like to share with our patients is comparing making changes to your smile versus making changes to your body by working out. For example, it’s obviously better to go to the gym for a shorter period every day (similar to self-adjusting braces) versus going to the gym once a month and working out really hard for several hours (similar to traditional braces). With this in mind, self-adjusting braces are a no-brainer for their efficiency and convenience.
Aesthetic
Metal braces technology has evolved over the years, yet traditional metal braces are still more noticeable than other types of braces. As such, traditional metal braces may make an individual feel insecure.
In a recent Harris Poll survey of 2,000 adults, 57% of respondents said they feel insecure about their teeth. Meanwhile, 78% of survey respondents said teeth straightening was one of the most important treatments they have ever done for themselves, and 92% who have straightened their teeth said having straight teeth was important to their self-confidence.
The Harris Poll survey shows there is a direct correlation between teeth straightening and self-confidence, but traditional metal braces sometimes fail to provide improvements in both areas. Whereas traditional metal braces help an individual straighten his or her teeth over the course of several years, the braces themselves may prove to be eyesores. As a result, traditional metal braces may negatively affect a person’s self-confidence.
On the other hand, AADvance Braces are designed to be aesthetically pleasing so they won’t draw attention while improving an individual’s smile. AADvance Braces are minimally visible and won’t interfere with an individual’s overall appearance. Plus, AADvance Braces require no headgear.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning traditional metal braces is challenging, regardless of a person’s age. Food particles easily become trapped in metal braces. The longer these food particles stay in place, the more likely it becomes that they will cause long-lasting oral health problems.
An orthodontist sometimes recommends an individual avoid sugary and starchy foods if he or she is wearing metal braces. Foods like caramel, taffy and chewing gum can get stuck in metal braces and are difficult to remove. Hard foods like popcorn, nuts and pizza crust can be problematic, too. These foods can break the wires of metal braces and loosen the braces’ brackets. Even healthy foods like carrots and raw apples are troublesome, as they can damage the wires of metal braces.
Acceledontics patients won’t face dietary restrictions due to their braces. AADvance Braces are easy to clean and won’t force a patient to avoid sugary, starchy or hard foods.
Low Risk of Tooth Discoloration or Root or Bone Damage
Traditional braces are more difficult to clean and also require plastic rings to hold the wires on. Over the years, these ‘O-rings’ can trap food particles and acid, resulting in the formation of bacteria-filled plaque deposits. If these plaque deposits go unaddressed, they may cause cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. The plaque deposits may also cause mineral loss on tooth enamel and permanent tooth discoloration.
Those who wear traditional metal braces often need to allocate extra time to clean their teeth each day. Otherwise, these individuals may suffer permanent damage to their tooth enamel if they cannot keep their metal braces clean. An orthodontist may even recommend an individual who wears traditional metal braces avoid high-acid foods and beverages like apples, oranges, pickles, soft drinks and sports drinks to reduce the risk of long-term damage to his or her tooth enamel.
Traditional metal braces may also put a patient’s tooth roots or bones in danger. In some cases, metal braces cause the path of a moving tooth to dissolve while new bone is created behind it. This leads to permanent loss of an individual’s tooth root length, resulting in less stable teeth.
Acceledontics patients face a low risk of tooth discoloration or root or bone damage in comparison to those who wear metal braces. During the final stage of the AADvance Braces process, patients can take advantage of AADvance Whitening as well. This professional teeth whitening treatment quickly removes teeth stains that occur due to aging, consuming acidic foods and beverages and various lifestyle choices.
The Bottom Line on Traditional Metal Braces and AADvance Braces
For many years, traditional metal braces have been the go-to option for teeth straightening. Traditional metal braces enable an orthodontist to move a patient’s teeth in small increments. At the same time, traditional metal braces give a person a “metal-mouth” appearance. They also need to be adjusted regularly and may require up to two years to help a patient achieve his or her desired results. After an individual has his or her metal braces removed, a retainer may be required to prevent relapse, too.
AADvance Braces now provide a viable alternative to traditional metal braces. They allow a person to quickly straighten the teeth without having to worry about regular orthodontic appointments to tighten his or her braces. Perhaps best of all, AADvance Braces are virtually invisible. This means an individual won’t have to stress about how AADvance Braces affect his or her appearance.
Ready to give AADvance Braces a try? To find out more about AADvance Braces, please contact Acceledontics today at (866) 8-FASTER to schedule a free consultation.
