Recap: What are traditional metal braces? What are invisible braces?
First, though, let’s help you with the many common terms that have been used for different braces. Oftentimes, when ‘traditional braces’ are mentioned this would refer to the metal braces which we commonly know of. Invisible braces or clear aligners on the other hand are now getting more popular, so let’s take a look at the differences between them:
Traditional braces
- Consist of stainless steel brackets that are fixed to the front surface of the teeth
- Held together by metal wires and rubber wires (thus, cannot be removed during treatment)
- Teeth are gradually straightened by manually adjusting the amount of tension exerted by the wires
Pros and cons of traditional braces
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Suitable for both teenagers and adults |
Brackets rubbing against the inside of your mouth and irritate and cause sores |
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Comes in a variety of colours, which allow teenagers to express themselves |
Noticeable when wearing |
|
Able to treat more severe teeth alignment issues |
Food restrictions especially for hard and sticky foods |
|
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Monthly dental visits to tighten braces |
|
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Cost is different for each dental clinic and complexity of case |
|
|
Long wear time of several years |
Clear aligners/invisible braces
- Transparent, 3D-printed sets molded specifically to your bite
- Gradually shifts teeth into proper positioning as you change into a new set of invisible braces every few weeks
- Removable during the treatment period (remove when you eat), but needs to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day
Pros and cons of Clear Aligners
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Transparent and discreet, perfect for social situations |
Soreness only after changing to new aligner set |
|
No food restrictions |
Suitable only for adults 18 years old and above |
|
Shorter wear duration
3-9 months for mild cases
9-15 months for more complex cases |
Needs discipline to wear them after removing |
|
Average 2-3 visits throughout the whole aligner journey |
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Easy to clean and maintain |
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Fixed, transparent pricing
RM6399 for mild to moderate cases and
RM8999-RM9999 for more complex cases. |
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What should you consider when choosing between the 2?
1. Price
On a budget?
Go with invisible braces.
While clear aligners used to be more expensive than traditional braces, advances in 3D scanning and printing have greatly brought down the costs of straightening crooked teeth.
That means you no longer need to wait for that elusive year-end bonus before you even consider straightening your teeth.
But just how pocket-friendly is it, you ask? Well, for your reference Zenyum Invisible Braces start from RM 7,499*, with no hidden fees (Psst… click to find out more!). You can find out more about costs for other teeth straightening options in an article we wrote here.
2. Convenience
Flip through the dictionary, and you might just see ‘invisible braces’ listed as a synonym for the word, ‘convenience’.
Why, you ask?
Because invisible braces can be effortlessly removed while you’re eating, brushing, and flossing.
That means you can eat whatever you want without worrying that your metal bracket will crack, or that the wire will snap. That said, you still need the discipline to put them back on.
Also, if you’re one of those people who have back-to-back appointments all day, invisible braces are perfect for you.
That’s because your dentist can now monitor the shifting of your teeth remotely (just like with Zenyum’s app).
And that means less time spent commuting to, sitting in and waiting at the dentist’s office!
3. Aesthetics
In general, you’ll achieve a straighter, more attractive smile faster when you opt for invisible braces.
Studies have shown that traditional braces take an average of almost 36 months.
What about invisible braces?
Treatment periods can range from 3 to 15 months, depending on the amount of teeth movement needed.
3 to 15 months vs 36 months.
The choice should be pretty obvious by now.
Read more: real results with Zenyum Clear Aligners
4. Eligibility
That’s right.
The world is not perfect. In fact, it’s rife with irresponsible invisible braces sellers promising you a 95% acceptance rate.
The truth is invisible braces are not suitable for those with severe teeth crowding conditions.
Smile Tip: If you’re interested in braces but still aren’t sure if Zenyum is right for you, just take a couple of minutes to complete a free smile assessment. You will be asked for a few teeth pictures you can easily snap from your mobile phone and we can help advise you on your suitability for Zenyum braces.
