Choosing an orthodontic treatment is easier when you understand how each path supports a healthy, confident smile. Traditional braces and clear aligners both move teeth predictably, and each shines in different day‑to‑day situations.
At About Faces & Braces, our team in Clarksville, Nashville, and Springfield helps you weigh practical details alongside clinical needs. The goal is a plan that fits your teeth and your life.
The Shared Goal: A Stable, Healthy Bite
Both treatments guide teeth through carefully planned movements to improve function and appearance. Better alignment supports easier brushing and flossing and can reduce uneven wear over time.
Your plan starts with a thorough exam, photos, and a 3D scan. From there, our doctors map a sequence of movements that protects your bite and targets the esthetic outcome you want.
Who You’ll See At Each Visit
With braces, adjustments happen chairside as our team changes wires or adds bends to fine‑tune tooth positions. These visits are hands‑on and allow for precise, on‑the‑spot tweaks.
With clear aligners, progress checks confirm that your teeth are tracking to plan. You receive the next set of aligners and any small refinements that keep everything on schedule.
Appearance, Confidence, And Day-to-Day Life
How treatment looks and feels in daily routines matters. Consider visibility, mealtime flexibility, and how each option fits school, work, and social plans in Middle Tennessee.
How Both Look In Real Life
Modern metal braces are smaller than past designs and can be dressed up with color ties or kept low‑key with neutral choices. Ceramic braces blend with tooth color for a subtler look.
Aligner trays are clear and smooth. In many settings, they are difficult to notice, especially at a conversational distance or in photos with natural lighting.
Eating And Social Habits
Braces require avoiding hard, sticky, and crunchy foods that can damage brackets or wires. Planning snacks and meals gets easier after the first couple of weeks, and most patients settle into a reliable routine.
Aligner trays come out for meals and snacks. You can eat your usual favorites, then brush and place the trays back in. This flexibility is helpful at school events, office lunches, and game days.
Comfort And Speech
Any tooth movement can create short periods of tenderness. Braces may cause occasional cheek or lip irritation until the mouth adapts. Orthodontic wax and simple saltwater rinses help a great deal.
Clear aligners are smooth and custom‑trimmed. Most patients adapt quickly, and any minor speech changes typically fade within a few days of consistent wear.
How Braces And Clear Aligners Move Teeth
Both approaches rely on gentle, continuous forces that encourage teeth to shift through bone remodeling. The difference lies in how those forces are applied and adjusted over time.
Braces: Brackets, Wires, And In‑Office Adjustments
Braces use bonded brackets that guide an archwire along a planned path. As wire sequences change, teeth follow a calculated progression toward ideal alignment.
Because the system stays in place, your braces are always working. This around‑the‑clock consistency can be an advantage for busy students and adults who want less personal responsibility for wear time.
Clear Aligners: Designed for You
Clear aligners are designed from a 3D model of your teeth. Each tray is slightly different and advances your smile to the next planned position, usually every one to two weeks.
Small tooth‑colored shapes known as attachments may be added to create specific forces. These tiny helpers give aligners a better grip and enhance the precision of certain movements.
Complex Corrections And Bite Changes
Severe rotations, significant vertical corrections, or complicated bite issues often respond best to braces because brackets allow very specific directional forces. Elastics and auxiliaries can be added as needed.
Clear aligners continue to expand what it can do, and many moderate crowding and spacing cases finish beautifully with aligners. Your consultation will clarify which route gives you the most efficient path.
Care, Compliance, And Appointments
Daily care and visit schedules influence the overall experience. Think about how you prefer to brush, how often you want to come in, and how you handle unexpected hiccups.
Daily Cleaning Routines
Braces require careful brushing at the gumline and around brackets. Interdental brushes and a water flosser make cleaning faster and more thorough, especially after meals.
Aligner trays should be rinsed and brushed gently with a soft brush, then stored safely during meals. Good habits keep trays clear and your breath fresh throughout the day.
How Often You’ll Visit
Our patients with braces usually return every six to eight weeks for adjustments and wire progressions. These visits allow our team to make micro‑changes that protect bite relationships.
Check‑ins can be spaced similarly or slightly wider, depending on your plan. Remote monitoring may be an option between office visits, which some families find convenient.
Lost Aligners And Broken Brackets
Life happens. A broken bracket or poking wire calls for a quick repair visit so your plan stays on track. A lost aligner requires contacting our office for guidance on the next step.
We provide clear instructions for both scenarios. Prompt communication helps prevent delays, whether you are near Rudolphtown Road in Clarksville or closer to our Nashville or Springfield locations.
Cost, Timeline, And Candidacy
Every smile is unique, so costs and timelines are personalized. Our team keeps the process transparent so you can plan comfortably.
Typical Treatment Times
Most comprehensive cases finish within 12 to 24 months, whether you choose braces or clear aligners. Mild issues may wrap up sooner. Complex bite changes can take longer as we protect the health of teeth and gums.
Your plan includes clear milestones so you always know what is coming next and why each stage matters.
Costs And Insurance Considerations
Fees reflect case complexity, treatment length, and any special appliances. Many dental plans include an orthodontic benefit for children or adults. Our team verifies coverage and offers flexible financial options.
Monthly payments can be arranged to fit family budgets. We review everything at the consultation, so there are no surprises.
Who Makes A Strong Candidate
Braces work well for nearly all ages and for a wide range of orthodontic needs. They are a great match when precise control or significant bite correction is required.
Clear aligners suit motivated teens and adults who will wear trays 20 to 22 hours per day. If you like flexibility at meals and prefer a low‑profile appearance, aligners are an excellent choice.
Ready To Choose Your Path?
The best way to decide is to see how each option applies to your smile. Dr. Shawn and Dr. Candice will review photos and scans, explain what to expect, and recommend a plan that fits your goals and routine.
Schedule a free consultation at About Faces & Braces in Clarksville, Nashville, or Springfield. Bring your questions, and leave with a clear plan for a healthy, confident smile.