Orthodontic technology has evolved rapidly. Clear aligners offer a more discreet way to straighten teeth, and many patients appreciate their removability and aesthetic appeal. But that doesn’t mean traditional braces are obsolete. In fact, traditional braces remain the most reliable, effective choice, especially for more complicated cases.
Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California, offer both traditional braces and clear aligners. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about your orthodontic care. Here are the basics of traditional braces and why we still recommend them for so many of our patients.
Traditional metal braces have two main components: brackets bonded to your teeth and wires that run through them. Braces are fixed to your teeth, which means you’re always wearing them throughout the duration of your treatment.
Your orthodontist adjusts the wire tension periodically, helping move your teeth into alignment. Sometimes, we also use rubber bands as part of your treatment. Braces offer continuous, consistent force and can handle complex tooth movements, like rotations, vertical changes, and bite alignment.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, are removable trays that can fix mild-to-moderate alignment issues. Aligners are more discreet and allow for easier oral hygiene because you can remove them for brushing, flossing, and eating. However, they require a lot of discipline to wear them as prescribed, and they’re not as capable of tackling more complex alignment or bite issues.
Here are a few common situations where we often recommend traditional braces over clear aligners:
Braces are better able to move teeth in tight spaces, rotate teeth, or manage complex tooth movements that require a stronger force.
If you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or a misaligned jaw, traditional braces offer better control over these movements. We can add auxiliary parts like springs, elastics, or special wires to correct your bite while straightening your teeth.
Sometimes, teeth need to be moved up or down — for example, if one tooth is higher than its neighbor. Since braces are fixed to your teeth, they can pull down a tooth and align it with your adjacent teeth more effectively than clear aligners.
Orthodontic treatment is an investment, and it’s normal to want confidence in the outcome. In many cases, braces provide more reliable results. Aligners work only when worn according to plan. If you or your child won’t wear them for enough hours per day, braces remove that variable.
Because every mouth is different, a professional assessment is the first and most important step to getting the best treatment plan for your smile. During your visit to Touni Orthodontics, we examine your teeth alignment, bite, jaw structure, and growth (if applicable). Imaging or digital scans help us understand underlying anatomy.
This comprehensive assessment helps us determine which option — braces or aligners — will deliver the best results for your specific situation. We talk through pros, cons, timeline estimates, cost, and what to expect in daily life with either option, so you can choose with confidence.
Traditional braces remain an excellent, dependable option to achieving a straighter smile, but ultimately, the “best” choice depends on factors like your orthodontic needs and aesthetic goals.
We’re here to help you make a plan that fits your life and helps you achieve a healthy, confident smile. Call our office or book an appointment online today to get started.
