If you want straighter teeth, the first question is usually aligners or braces. Both work. They just work in different ways, and one of them is often a better match for you.
Braces are small brackets glued to your teeth and joined by a wire. The wire puts steady pressure on the teeth, and it gets adjusted or changed at your visits.
Clear aligners are thin plastic trays that fit over your teeth. You wear a series of them, and each tray is shaped a little differently from the one before. Tray by tray, the teeth move.
The aligners we use are SureSmile, made by Dentsply Sirona. Your plan is built from digital scans, x-rays and photos of your teeth, so every tray in the series is made for your mouth.
Wear time is the big one. Aligners left in a drawer do not move teeth. If you know you will not wear them that much, braces may suit you better.
Aligners work well for many teens and adults with crowding, small gaps, or teeth that have shifted over the years. Some bites are harder to move with trays, like a tooth that is badly turned or top and bottom jaws that do not line up. Those cases often do better with braces.
That is why we look at your teeth before anyone picks. We scan your teeth, check your bite, and tell you plainly which option fits the result you want.
For both, the price depends on how far your teeth need to move and how long treatment takes. We give you the cost after your exam, before you decide.
If you have the Canadian Dental Care Plan, note that it does not cover orthodontics. Aligners and braces are not paid for by that plan.
Read more about clear aligners in London, Ontario at our office on Aldersbrook Road, or call 519-472-4460 to book a visit. We are open until 7pm on Monday and Tuesday, so it is easy to fit in after school or work.
