Aligners vs. Braces: How Are They Different?
While there are obvious and not-so-obvious differences between clear aligners and traditional braces, they do share a common goal: both can perfect your smile by straightening your teeth. But at Motto™, we believe clear aligners offer some advantages that braces clearly don’t:
The average Motto treatment time is less than 6 months¹, whereas traditional braces can take anywhere from 18 months on up to 2 years. Just think about how many selfies, date nights and job interviews there can be in that amount of time.
Braces require a lot more in-office visits for tightening and adjustments once they’re initially applied (known as bonding). Whereas with clear aligners, you receive a series of aligner trays in advance that keep you progressing through several phases of teeth movement without requiring additional check-ins.
And with Motto, you have the option of choosing virtual Dental Monitoring, which lets you save time by checking in with your care team through your smartphone 24/7.
OK, we know you know that clear plastic aligner trays are far less conspicuous than metal and wire. But they’re also less visible than ceramic braces too. So, aligners have a clear aesthetic advantage. And again, the average treatment time for clear aligners is significantly shorter. So, you and your friends will see a lot less of them.
Oh, and did we mention that Motto treatment plans include whitening gel at no extra charge? Straighter teeth: check. Megawatt smile: check, check and CHECK.
With traditional braces, they’re always in. Always. That means they’re in when you’re eating and a piece of food gets stuck in there. They’re also in when you’re feeling discomfort and you can’t get an appointment for an adjustment with your orthodontist for days. With clear aligners, you can just pop them out.
Enjoy movie night popcorn by the fistful without worrying that a husk will get stuck. Gorge on grilled cheese sammies without the gooey bits getting wrapped in wire. With clear aligners, nothing on the menu is off limits. Just remember to floss like a boss (because you can).
With all the appointments you'll have to make and suffer through, on top of the braces being cemented onto your teeth (that have to be regularly adjusted, eventually come off, and don't forget the retainer you'll get for aftercare and maintenance), braces get pricey quickly.
Motto Clear Aligners leverage Aspen Dental's extensive network of dental experts to offer you three flexible payment plans and the ability to use your dental insurance, HSA, or FSA to help cover the cost.
Since braces require several appointments—including the one in which the braces are cemented onto your teeth, the regular adjustments and the removal— they can get pricey quickly.
Motto clear aligners leverage Aspen Dental's extensive network of dental experts to offer you three flexible payment plans and the ability to use your dental insurance, HSA, or FSA to help cover the cost.
Braces require a lot more in-office visits for tightening and adjustments once they’re initially applied (known as bonding). Whereas with clear aligners, you receive a series of aligner trays in advance that keep you progressing through several phases of teeth movement without requiring additional check-ins.
And with Motto, you have the option of choosing virtual Dental Monitoring, which lets you save time by checking in with your care team through your smartphone 24/7.
One of the big advantages of Motto is that you can still brush every tooth and gum surface and floss between every tooth. Braces make thorough flossing nearly impossible. And brushing every morsel or stain away becomes a lot harder. Over time, this can lead to tooth discoloration, bad breath, plaque buildup and cavities.
That’s a discussion for you and your Aspen Dental dentist. In some extreme cases, braces may still be the best option. But thanks to Motto’s advanced technology, we can treat all kinds of bite issues including cross bites, overbites and underbites. And we think the advantages that clear aligners provide are something everyone can sink their teeth into.
Disclaimer:
¹Average patient treatment plan lasts 5.4 months. Results may vary.
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