Deciding on the best types of braces or aligners can seem daunting when you read about so many different choices and all the pros and cons, but your orthodontist at Goldfields will be able to advise you after a thorough examination of your mouth, bite and teeth, and a discussion about your smile goals. There are many options to choose from that accommodate all desires and budgets, and these factors will have a bearing on selecting the most appropriate treatment for you.
Choosing between express and comprehensive treatments will primarily depend on the complexity of your problem, as minor issues are generally simpler and much quicker to correct. Your budget and the speed of treatment time are also factors to consider when making your choices.
Key Differences: Lite/Express Vs Full/Comprehensive Treatment
These two forms of teeth aligners use the same material and technology, but differ in the duration of treatment, the number of aligners that are used, and the cost.
- Express is used to correct minor crowding or spacing in the mouth, issues with the front teeth, or any other quick corrections. It usually uses between 5 and 10 aligners, and treatment can be expected to take between 1 and 3 months. There are usually no refinements (additional sets of aligners used to fine-tune tooth positioning after the initial treatment), but generally, Express is the most affordable option and is suitable for fast, minor improvements.
- Comprehensive treats severe, complex and full-mouth issues like overcrowding, overbites, underbites and crossbites, and uses unlimited aligners for at least 1 year, and up to five years in some cases. Depending on the package, it will include 2 or more rounds of refinements, and is more expensive due to the extensive, long-term nature of the treatment.
Why Choose Express?
If you have had braces in the past and not worn retainers after treatment, your teeth can shift slightly, and Express aligners are ideal for correcting this type of relapse and necessary “tweaking”. When you have small gaps in your teeth that you want fixed, some minor crowding, or slight rotations of the front teeth, then Express Aligners will provide you with a quick aesthetic fix, usually within 3-6 months.
Why Choose Comprehensive?
Significant crowding, large gaps and teeth that are heavily rotated will need longer treatment and more aligners to correct the issues. Comprehensive aligners are the best choice for moderate to severe misalignments, and to correct overbites, underbites and crossbites. With unlimited refinements for use after the initial treatment, you can continue with the treatment until you are completely satisfied with the result.
Everyone Should Have Their Perfect Smile
Express is a quick and budget-friendly option for minor issues with your teeth, but it will not provide enough movement to correct severely crooked teeth or large gaps. There is usually a fixed number of trays with express, so once treatment is finished, it’s finished, and if you are not happy with the result, you may have to upgrade to a higher, more expensive treatment, making it less cost-effective.
If you have a desire for that perfect smile, we will give you the time and the unlimited treatment within your plan to continue wearing aligners until you are 100% happy with the results. It may be the more expensive option, but it will provide you with the results you are looking for.
Your decision will depend on your initial consultation, and orthodontist at Goldfields can determine the depth of your bite issues or the necessary root movement needed to fill a gap.