Clear Braces 

When the word braces is mentioned, some people think only of metal braces, whose shape, look, smile and color many people dislike. But clear braces have appeared, which manage to overcome the poor, embarrassing look of ordinary braces while meeting the cosmetic need to straighten teeth, as they can be completely invisible. Many people avoid smiling, laughing and speaking in front of strangers or in public places, which is why cosmetic dentistry has offered clear braces as the alternative to ordinary braces. They serve the same purpose of treating and beautifying the teeth, but with fewer drawbacks and more comfort for the patient. Here we present everything about clear braces.

What are clear braces?

They are clear, invisible braces that are more flexible and comfortable for the patient than ordinary metal braces with visible wires. They serve the same purpose in treating dental problems such as:

• Correcting uneven and crooked teeth.
• Treating spaces and gaps between the teeth.
• Treating widely spaced teeth.
• Treating teeth that turn inward.
• Narrowness in the jaws.
• An abnormal bite.
• Impacted teeth.
• Internal deformity in the upper or lower jaw.
• An interlocking or abnormal bite.
• Treatment before preparing artificial teeth.

Types of clear braces

Ceramic clear braces: this is the simplest and most usual type. It is characterized by the ivory ceramic color close to the natural color of the teeth, which helps blend the braces with the teeth, so some people find it hard to notice except from very close up. These braces are fixed, and the dentist can remove and refit them. They are also stain-resistant, but they are not considered very clear because they can be noticed up close.

Lingual braces: these cannot be called clear, but they can be counted among the types of invisible braces, because they are ordinary metal braces that the dentist places on the inner side of the teeth rather than the outer. The teeth therefore look very natural because the braces cannot be seen unless they are doing their job perfectly. They rely on a lot of computer techniques to reach the best results, and they cost a little more.

Invisalign clear braces: this type is one of the most important types of clear braces because it is the clearest and most effective. It is characterized by being easy to fit and remove at home personally, without going to the dentist, as it is a completely clear plastic mold made specifically for the shape of your teeth. You wear it like a cover over your teeth and it works to achieve the desired result of treating and beautifying the teeth. It is the highest-priced type, but it has one drawback: its ease of fitting lets a person remove it whenever they are bothered by it, which delays the effect of the braces.

How clear braces are made

• Clear braces are made from a clear material that closely resembles the natural structure of the affected jaw, whether lower or upper, and are made according to the tooth measurements taken from each patient.
• These braces are characterized by having no chains or metal parts, and they can be removed whenever you wish.

The difference between clear and ordinary braces

Clear and ordinary braces differ in terms of:

Duration: the period of clear braces is shorter than ordinary braces, and visits to the dentist are also far fewer.

Appearance: many people prefer clear braces because they are plastic, while metal braces are known for their wires and metal beads.

Condition: metal braces treat severe protrusion, while clear braces treat crookedness, gaps and misalignment.

Method: metal braces may need molar extraction but clear braces do not, and metal braces cannot be removed and refitted, but clear braces can be removed easily at home for personal use.
Candidates for fitting clear braces
The most important candidates for clear braces are adults and teenagers who have mild and moderate dental problems, as identified by the dentist, and it is advised not to use them for children. The main problems are:

• Irregular and crooked teeth.

• Widely spaced teeth with large gaps.

• Problems with pressure or biting on the teeth.

• Crowded teeth pressed together that have changed their natural position in the jaw.

Do clear braces give positive results?

In simple cases clear braces have given positive results, which made them popular with some people.

In some other cases, or rather most, many negative results of clear braces have appeared, because they did not help treat the teeth and rearrange and space them, unlike metal braces, which work to guide the movement of the teeth in the right directions.

That is why some dentists suggest fitting metal braces to tighten the jaw and treat dental problems, and after a noticeable change with the metal braces, they can be removed and clear braces fitted to complete the treatment, to get the best possible results.
How long clear braces stay on the teeth
The duration of each type of braces differs from the other, and also according to the patient’s condition, as each case differs from another according to how serious the dental problem is, where:
• The duration of clear braces is about 18 months up to 30 months.
• The usual duration of ordinary braces is 12 months.
• The duration of braces in difficult jaw cases and protruding teeth can reach two to three years.
Cleaning clear braces
We present some tips for cleaning and sanitizing clear braces:

1. Every morning and evening the clear braces should be taken out and cleaned well, because bacteria can form during sleep, so you should take care to clean the braces to avoid bacterial diseases of the mouth.
2. The clear braces must be washed each time the person takes them out of their mouth, in addition to the morning and evening routine.
3. The clear braces must be washed with the special antibacterial soap for them and a soft-bristled toothbrush, to get rid of any stuck remains and keep the braces clean.
4. All the necessary precautions must be taken to care for the braces, even when we are out.
5. The best way to keep clear braces clean and hygienic is to soak them in a denture cleaner solution.
6. Orthodontic cleaning crystals can be used, along with a toothbrush, removing any stuck food remains, then rinsing them before putting them in the mouth.
7. The teeth must be flossed and brushed before putting the clear braces on.
8. A person needs to replace the clear braces every few weeks.
9. The clear braces should not be left in the open air.
10. The braces should be removed while eating, and it is preferable to drink only water while wearing them, because they are not designed to bear the pressure of the teeth during chewing.

Clear braces prices

• Invisalign clear braces price: ranges from about 10,000 to 30,000 Egyptian pounds, while in the Emirates it ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 UAE dirhams.
• Ceramic clear braces price: ranges from about 13,000 to 33,000 Egyptian pounds, while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 Saudi riyals.
• Self-ligating clear braces price: reaches 9,000 to 15,000 Saudi riyals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Metal braces price: ranges from about 1,000 to 28,000 Egyptian pounds, while in Saudi Arabia it ranges up to 4,000 Saudi riyals.

Advantages of clear braces

• They act as a cover for the teeth.
• They can be removed and refitted easily.
• They give the teeth a cosmetic look and make them whiter.
• They are made specifically for the shape of your teeth.
• They are much more comfortable than ordinary metal braces.
• They allow freedom to smile and remove the embarrassment that ordinary metal braces cause.
• They let you see your teeth after the braces period ends.
• They help improve the health of the teeth and mouth.

Disadvantages of clear braces

• They can lose their effectiveness through excessive use and over-frequent removal and refitting.
• They are expensive compared with ordinary metal braces.
• They do not help treat difficult cases, which is why ordinary metal braces are fitted first and then clear braces.
• Frequent fitting and removal delays the appearance of the results of the braces.
• They must be worn for at least 20 hours a day.
• They must be removed before eating to avoid damaging them.
• They take a long time.
• They are not suitable for most cases.
• They are hard to get used to.

Harms of clear braces

• Clear braces do not help severely twisted and misaligned teeth.
• They cannot treat teeth problems resulting from a small jaw.
• They need constant cleaning with a brush and the soap made for dentures.
• If they are not cleaned well, bacteria and tooth decay can form in the mouth.
• The back attachments of the braces that keep them in place are uncomfortable.
• Constantly removing them when eating and drinking.

Tips on fitting braces

• Braces in general are among the best and best-known medical treatment solutions for dental problems, to get rid of the dental problems and flaws that cause us embarrassment in front of others.
• But it is advised to go to the dentist first to find out which type of braces suits you and how much it costs.

So, dear reader, I hope I have made clear what clear braces are, their advantages and harms, what they cost, the difference between them and ordinary metal braces and which is better, how to clean them and everything about braces in general. As this research comes to its conclusion, I hope my pen has done justice to what came to my mind and the information and content drawn together on this subject. I would like to shed light on clear braces, which are the subject of so much talk and search all over the world.