It always makes for a good story in the media; a once heralded treatment that has gone wrong and now, the person who underwent it is in unbearable pain.
Unfortunately, no area of medicine is spared and with so many people already having phobias concerning dentists, this is an easy area to write about. The obvious downside to this is that it prevents people from undergoing the many brilliant dental treatments available, to give them a boost in their confidence and improve their lives.
With the invention and popularity of clear or invisible braces, horror stories have emerged about how this treatment can go wrong.
Don’t be fooled! Here is a list of the most common myths about clear braces and the reality behind the rumours.
Clear braces hurt more than traditional ones.
It is an understandable worry; we all remember a friend who had the metal ‘train track’ braces and would complain of pain when they had them tightened or throughout the treatment.
So, how can braces that aren’t fitted work if they don’t hurt?
Simple; they work differently and are designed for different problems. Traditional braces are still used today, but they correct severe misalignment issues, which may require more encouragement to straighten
Clear braces are designed to correct minor to moderate alignment problems and are fitted to your teeth perfectly to gently push them in to their desired position. Many clear braces come in a set of aligners, so you will wear a different set for each stage of your treatment.
They are too expensive- no one can afford them.
While clear braces were once considered almost a luxury item in the world of dentistry, today they are more common and therefore, more affordable.
Very few dental surgeries that offer them will ask for full payment on the day and will instead offer a dental plan, to help you spread the cost gradually, meaning you can benefit from them whilst paying for them.
They don’t work.
This myth is a bit more unusual, as there is no evidence to suggest that clear or invisible braces don’t work.
More than likely, the person that says this has undergone the treatment and it has worked. After any kind of dental realignment treatment, your dentist will recommend that you wear a retainer for a specified period, just to ensure that your teeth are secured in their new location.
If you fail to do this, you run the risk of your teeth reverting to their pre-treatment position making the entire process a waste of time. This understandably, causes frustration at the procedure and leads to these myths circulating.
Remember that clear braces are not suitable for everyone and it is up to your dentist to decide if this treatment option will benefit you. If you decide to undergo this option, don’t be put off by the myths, the treatment will work if you follow your dentist’s advice.