A person’s lifestyle encompasses so many things—age, hobbies, or profession, just to name a few. You’ll want to take all of these factors into consideration when choosing a route for orthodontic treatment. Our team at Norton Orthodontics is going to help provide some clarity on this topic and let you know exactly how to choose the right braces for your lifestyle.
One, Two, Three
Our office offers three main courses of treatment for aligning your smile or correcting other orthodontic concerns. The truth is, all three have distinct advantages, and it’s hardly a situation where one size or type fits everyone Dr. Norton sees! Let’s look at a few notable characteristics of each one:
Traditional Metal Braces
- Durable, Traditional, and Effective: Made from high-grade stainless steel, metal braces are the most robust and reliable option for correcting both very simple and very complex alignment issues. This versatility makes them popular.
- Customizable: Patients can personalize their look in a special way with colorful bands, adding a fun element to treatment—especially for our younger patients.
Clear Braces
- Appearance: These braces are structured a lot like metal ones, but the brackets attached to your teeth are made from ceramic material, blending in well with your natural tooth color.
- Great for Adults: This element makes them great for professionals or anyone wanting a less noticeable orthodontic treatment.
- A Cool Compromise: Clear braces provide the same outstanding results as metal braces—but bear an aesthetic flair.
Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners
- Removable and Convenient: Clear aligners are virtually invisible and can be removed for drinking, eating, and cleaning. Smooth, custom-fitted trays eliminate the need for wires or brackets and are generally considered quite comfortable.
- Minimal Lifestyle Impact: Ideal for those who prefer a more flexible, less intrusive treatment option in some respects.
The Matching Game
When you’re partnering with Dr. Norton to select a course of treatment, he may ask about your daily routine, personal preferences, and long-term goals. Let’s go over a few examples and see if you or a family member can identify with any of them:
- The Athlete
- Best Fit: Metal or clear braces are sturdy enough to withstand active sports or physical activities—under the condition that you wear an orthodontic mouthguard. It should be noted that ceramic brackets aren’t as durable, though.
- Tip: If you play contact sports, consider using a custom orthodontic mouthguard for added protection.
- The Professional
- Best Fit: Clear braces or Invisalign are usually ideal for adults seeking a professional, polished look during treatment.
- Tips: You should always keep your aligners in for 20-22 hours a day—but they could be removed for a short photoshoot or presentation if it makes you feel more comfortable. Just don’t take liberties with removal time.
- The Foodie
- Best Fit: Clear aligners allow you to enjoy all your favorite foods since the aligners are removable, whereas the other two options can impact your choice of diet.
- Tips: Should you end up opting for braces instead, be very wary of crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods, all of which can cause damage.
- The Star Student
- Best Fit: For the student with a million social engagements, clear aligners make brushing and flossing easy since there are no wires or brackets to navigate around. They can also be advantageous for those who are experiencing major events like graduation or prom and are concerned about their appearance in photos.
- Tip: Regardless of which treatment you choose with Norton Orthodontics, maintaining your oral hygiene goes hand in hand with a successful outcome. Honestly, consider which approach will best accommodate your cleaning habits.
Other Considerations
- Cost: The cost of your treatment depends on the chosen appliance, as well as any insurance benefits that might be applied toward the overall price. That said, coverage varies quite a lot—so it’s very important to get an accurate picture of what you’ll pay out of pocket.
- Time: While treatment length varies from case to case with Dr. Norton, clear aligners require strict wear schedules for optimal results, aka greater compliance from the patient. Braces, on the other hand, are fixed and work consistently without additional effort.
- Location: It goes without saying that you should consider which of our locations are most convenient to you in terms of distance. This proximity really comes into play if you need to address any orthodontic emergencies.
A Floridian Flair
We’re extremely fortunate to serve the families of Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, and Port Charlotte across our three state-of-the-art offices. Our promise to our patients is that we’ll approach every smile individually and create a custom plan that’s perfect for you. We’ll see you soon!