A beautiful smile is both desirable and accessible. Adults, now more than ever, are seeking orthodontic treatment to help create the smiles they have always dreamed of.

With so many adults now seeking orthodontic treatment, the question often is, “Do I have to be a ‘metal mouth’?” The answer is no… there are non-traditional, cosmetic, or clear options, including Invisalign, clear braces, lingual braces, instant orthodontics, and accelerated orthodontics.

These non-traditional approaches have their own pros and cons, so I have provided a brief summary of the different choices for you.

Invisalign

Invisalign Pros:

• It is the most aesthetic option for moving teeth
• Aligners can be removed for eating
• It makes teeth cleaning easy

Invisalign Cons:

• It cannot treat difficult cases
• Discipline is required to wear the trays all day and night for many months
• It is often offered by dentists with very limited training, which may lead to less-than-ideal results

Clear Braces

Clear Braces Pros:

• The system can treat more difficult problems
• Braces are much clearer than they used to be
• Braces are virtually unnoticeable in photos

Clear Braces Cons:

• Braces are slightly less aesthetic than Invisalign
• Braces are prone to the same problems that conventional braces have, such as poking wires and breakage

Lingual Braces

Lingual Braces Pros:

• They are more aesthetic than clear braces
• They can be an alternative to Invisalign for more difficult cases

Lingual Braces Cons:

• They make speaking more difficult
• They are not comfortable
• They are more expensive than other options
• Treatment can take longer, with more visits

Instant Orthodontics

Instant Orthodontics Pros:

• This method can quickly restore worn, broken, or discolored teeth
• Work can be done in weeks instead of months or years

Instant Orthodontics Cons:

• It is typically by far the most expensive of all options
• It requires grinding down teeth and replacing them with porcelain
• It requires several replacements throughout your lifetime
• It doesn’t typically correct the bite the way traditional orthodontics does

Accelerated Orthodontics

Accelerated Orthodontics Pros:

• Achieve high-quality treatment in a fraction of the time

Accelerated Orthodontics Cons:

• Brand names and marketing can be misleading; you may not be getting what you are promised

Contemporary orthodontic treatment offers more options than ever before to avoid metal braces, but keep in mind that every individual is unique and requires a customized treatment plan from a well-trained orthodontist for the best results.