How to Choose the Right Braces for Your Lifestyle

It would be awfully simple if everyone could wear the precise same size and type of braces—but then again, we celebrate differences at Rhoads Orthodontics! A major part of our job is determining the treatment that’s the best fit for each of our patients. We’re going to explain how to choose the right braces for your lifestyle.

The Triple Threat

Here in our Cranberry Township office, we specialize in three manners of treatment for alignment. They’re all similar and different in certain ways, and we take many situational and personal aspects into account before settling on the proper choice for you.

Metal Braces

  • Dependable and Solid: Made from stainless steel, these classic braces are highly durable and capable of addressing even the most complex alignment issues. Likewise, they can also handle simpler issues with ease.
  • Highly Customizable: Colorful bands allow younger patients to personalize their braces, and additional components can be added to target areas of concern like jaw or bite misalignment.

Clear Braces

  • Discreet and Stylish: With brackets crafted from ceramic, clear braces blend nicely with your natural teeth, making them a less noticeable option than their metal counterparts. These braces also deliver the same great outcomes as metal braces, with a focus on aesthetics.
  • Professional and Polished: Their natural appearance presents a great middle point between clear aligners and metal braces.

Invisalign

  • Removable Convenience: Clear aligners can be taken out for meals, brushing, and flossing, offering an unparalleled degree of flexibility.
  • Smooth, Comfy, and Invisible: Your custom-fitted trays also eliminate the need for wires and brackets, ensuring a snug fit, free of any irritation. They’re also popular for being much less visible than braces. 

How to Choose the Right Braces for Your Lifestyle

Your Tailored Treatment

Dr. Rhoads works closely with each of her patients to get to know them on an individual basis. It’s important to our entire team that each person who enters our care is given this special level of consideration. Here are a few examples of lifestyles we might see and recommendations we would make accordingly:

Active Lifestyles

  • Best Choice: Metal or clear braces are sturdy enough to withstand active sports or physical activities—under the condition that you wear an orthodontic mouthguard as directed! 
  • Tip: Be aware that ceramic is less durable than metal, so you should exercise even more caution if you’re wearing these types of brackets while participating in sports.

Busy Students

  • Best Choice: Clear aligners are a great choice for middle school, high school, and college students managing packed schedules, as they simplify oral hygiene and are discreet for photos and social events.
  • Tip: Regardless of your treatment, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is key to a successful smile. Failing to do so can jeopardize how your teeth turn out in the end.

Professional Life

  • Best Choice: Clear braces or Invisalign are ideal for adults concerned with the aesthetics of their treatment, whether that’s due to your professional life or other reasons.
  • Tip: While your Invisalign aligners should be very strictly worn for 20–22 hours daily, they can be removed briefly for important snapshots or presentations.

Food Enthusiasts

  • Best Choice: If you’re the foodie of your friend group, consider that clear aligners will allow you to enjoy your favorite foods without restrictions.
  • Tip: If you settle on braces instead, avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods that can mess with wires and brackets.

How to Choose the Right Braces for Your Lifestyle

Myths Explained

Finally, we want to explain a few common misconceptions that might steer you the wrong way during your treatment planning. Knowing the facts behind these ideas can help you make a more informed decision with the help of our team at Rhoads Orthodontics.

Myth: Invisalign Is Always Faster

  • Fact: This is definitely not accurate! Treatment duration depends on so many lifestyle factors, including the complexity of your case. Braces may end up being more effective for severe misalignments.

Myth: Clear Braces Stain Easily

  • Fact: Today’s ceramic braces are designed to resist staining, ensuring they remain tooth–colored throughout treatment. That being said, certain beverages and foods can still stain your teeth, and that can be an issue when the brackets are removed!

Myth: Orthodontic Treatment Is Painful

  • Fact: Advances in technology and the expert care of Dr. Rhoads guarantee that treatments are more comfortable than ever. If you do experience any discomfort or irritation, we’ll partner with you to overcome it. It will never be debilitating to the point that you feel the need to stop treatment.

How to Choose the Right Braces for Your Lifestyle

Meeting Your Needs

So if you’re feeling a lack of clarity before starting treatment, we can assure you that you will be confident after your free consultation with us. Reach out to our team in Cranberry Township so we can welcome you in and get started on your road to transformation!