Advantages of Straight Wire Braces Over Clear Aligners

Straight wire orthodontics is a time-tested method for treating dental malocclusions. It provides patients with reliable and consistent treatment that delivers excellent oral health outcomes.

When choosing which type of general dentist orthodontic course to pursue, take a moment to consider why offering straight wire treatment may be better for both your practice and your patients, even as clear aligners continue to rise in popularity.

Treatment using traditional straight wire braces provides a variety of benefits over clear aligners.

Efficiency in Complex Cases

While clear aligners can treat many simple cases of malocclusion, they fall short when it comes to complex cases. Often they aren’t suitable for class III malocclusions and may not even deliver optimal results in many instances of class II malocclusions.

Straight wire orthodontics, on the other hand, can address nearly any case. They provide greater control over tooth movement, and precise adjustments guide the course of treatment. These mid-treatment adjustments are essential to ensure the best outcome.

Cost-Effectiveness

Straight wire braces are also usually substantially more affordable than clear aligners. Lab costs are among the most significant factors here. While you can carry out straight wire orthodontics in-house, clear aligners require working with an external lab if you don’t have the right equipment.

Insurance is another major factor to consider when comparing the two treatment options. As a long-standing treatment, straight wire orthodontics are included in many insurance plans. Clear aligners are less likely to be included, as they are often categorized as a form of cosmetic dentistry treatment with little to no coverage available.

Of course, the actual costs for any case will vary. While these principles can help guide you between choosing to incorporate straight wire orthodontics or clear aligners into your practice, any given patient will require a personalized evaluation to gauge costs.

Reduced Treatment Time

In certain cases, straight wire orthodontics can provide a reduced treatment time compared to clear aligners. This is particularly true in complex cases, as mentioned, where braces can be considerably faster than clear aligners in delivering results.

The direct force application provided by straight wire orthodontics is one of the key reasons for shorter treatment times. More force can be applied in a more precise direction than relying on the shaped plastic of clear aligners.

Still, while straight wire orthodontics often provides faster outcomes in complex cases, it’s important to note that these factors can vary between individual cases.

Less Dependency on Patient Compliance

One of the most significant downsides to clear aligners is their dependency on patient compliance. While the removable aligners do provide convenience, they can also lead to situations where patients leave them off for too long, impacting their results and prolonging treatment times.

For instance, patients may find themselves tempted to remove clear aligners in various social situations even though it may impact their treatment. While it’s easy to commit to those requirements at the start, patients can wear down and lapse over the course of treatment.

Straight wire orthodontics removes that temptation altogether, as patients won’t have the option to remove braces at will. While they may grumble about it at the time, the reliable results they receive make treatment well worth it.

Durability and Reliability

Clear aligners are made out of plastic and are thus vulnerable to damage from a wide range of sources. They are susceptible to heat as well, capable of being damaged by being left in a hot car or even by being washed with water that’s just a bit too warm.

They’re also susceptible to damage from any kind of impact or from biting or grinding activity. Active patients can find themselves unknowingly damaging their clear aligners, which is particularly impactful when treating younger patients who play sports.

Straight wire orthodontics, in contrast, are much tougher. They aren’t going to be damaged by anything other than a severe incident that will have caused significant dental trauma at the same time. Braces are suitable for patients of all ages and activity levels, standing up to any potential challenges.

Provide the best treatment options for your patients.

If you’re thinking about taking an orthodontic continuing education course, it’s well worth considering a comprehensive course that delivers tangible benefits for your practice and your patients. While patients might consider clear aligners more convenient during treatment, the difference in outcomes for complicated cases is another story. These patients will be more satisfied in the long run with the precise and consistent results that only straight wire orthodontics can deliver.

You can sign up for our Basic Comprehensive Straight Wire Orthodontics Course today and start developing the knowledge and practical skills you need to provide the best outcomes for your future patients.