As much as you want a straighter smile, maybe you don't know the best way to get one. That wouldn't be shocking - plenty of orthodontic options exist now, with metal braces and clear aligners chief among them. Even so, you don't need to panic; finding your best option is still possible. All you need to do is compare and contrast the available services. To that end, here's a primer on whether metal braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontics suit your smile best.

How Do Metal Braces Work?

Metal braces are the “traditional” orthodontic option, having been around for decades. Still, their time-tested approach remains effective at making grins straight.

In essence, a metal braces treatment puts steel brackets and wires on your teeth. The former are cemented to each tooth, while the latter are fitted through bracket slots to hold things together. These brackets and wires then put pressure on your smile, slowly realigning your crooked teeth. A dental team also tightens the wires during checkups to keep treatment on track.

Metal braces excel at fixing nearly any orthodontic problem. Whether your smile is askew or you have bite issues, you can trust them to get everything aligned.

What About Clear Aligners?

Though “newer” than metal braces, clear aligners do great work themselves. Their unique benefits have made them quite popular over the last few years or so.

Clear aligners (per their name) are nearly-invisible plastic trays that straighten teeth. Once fitted over a smile's arches, they shift each tooth into the right positions with small micro-movements. That means a patient must wear the trays for 20-22 hours daily over an extended period. After each aligner set has done its work, an orthodontist will provide the next one in the series.

What sets clear aligners apart are their removability and low-key appearance. Rather than cement shiny metal, they use transparent plastic that can be taken off as needed. The result is that treatment doesn't' draw unwanted stares or interfere with meals and oral care.

Are Metal Braces & Aligners the Only Options?

Metal braces and clear aligners are the “big names” in orthodontics, but they aren't the only ones. It's a good idea to consider the lesser-known options as well.

Many examples of these “other” orthodontic treatments exist. For instance, lingual braces like Brava straighten your grin while concealed behind your teeth; they won't give you a “metal mouth.” There are also clear ceramic braces that use translucent porcelain instead of bright steel. Yet another choice is the self-ligating braces procedure, which uses brackets that eliminate the need for colored elastic ties.

Clearly, the well-known orthodontic procedures aren't the only ones that exist. Many dental providers also offer “extra” kinds that are worth noting.

Which Treatment is Right for You?

Honestly, none of the above options truly stand out as the absolute “best.” The procedure that's ideal for you will depend on your situation.

If your grin has severe misalignments, metal braces may be your best bet. They can work on anything from crooked teeth and dental crowding to overbites, underbites, and more. You'd just need to remember that they're often expensive, tend to be noticeable and make oral care tricky.

On the other hand, clear aligners work wonders for patients who want a smooth alignment process. They cause less pain and use almost invisible plastic, so they don't interfere with daily life much. That said, the trays are less versatile than metal braces; they'll only work for mild-to-moderate problems.

“Other” orthodontic options suit patients who want to combine the strengths of braces and aligners. After all, lingual and ceramic braces offer versatile care while still being subtle. Self-ligating braces also work as effectively as metal ones while making dental care easy.

Whatever your final orthodontic choice, remember to consult your dental provider. They'll know your circumstances and recommend the best procedure for your smile!