For adults and teens in Meriden, Connecticut, the choice between fixed braces and removable clear aligners is a common dilemma. Feldman Orthodontics, which serves Meriden patients from its Cheshire office, offers both options and emphasizes that the decision should be based on individual assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Braces use brackets bonded to the teeth and an archwire that applies continuous pressure. Because the appliance is fixed, it works without relying on the patient to wear it, and it can handle a broad range of movements, including complex rotations and bite correction. Clear aligners, on the other hand, use a sequence of custom trays, each worn for a set period before moving to the next. They are removable for eating and cleaning and are far less visible, which is why adults searching for clear aligners in Meriden often start there. The trade-off is compliance: the trays only move teeth while they are in the mouth.
Teens frequently choose aligners when sports or musical instruments make fixed appliances awkward, though braces remain the better fit for many adolescent cases. The practice's four board-certified orthodontists — Dr. Jonny Feldman, Dr. David Feldman, Dr. Kelly Morrison, and Dr. Preeti Chandhoke — treat patients across three Connecticut locations and assess each individual to determine the best option.
Treatment planning at Feldman Orthodontics uses digital scanning and 3D imaging rather than relying solely on traditional impressions. This technology captures precise measurements of tooth and jaw position, giving the orthodontist a detailed view of alignment issues and supporting a more accurate plan from the start. For patients traveling from Meriden, remote monitoring is available in qualifying cases and can reduce the number of in-office visits during active treatment.
Younger patients are seen for early orthodontic evaluations at around age 7, consistent with American Association of Orthodontists guidance. Early assessment allows developing issues to be identified and, where useful, addressed before they become more complex.
One of the most critical aspects of orthodontic treatment is retention. Once braces or aligners have moved teeth into position, retainers hold them there. Teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their previous positions, and without consistent retainer wear, that drift can undo the result over months or years. Retainer fitting and follow-up appointments are included in the practice's treatment approach, with monitoring visits scheduled to confirm the correction is holding.
"The retainer is not an afterthought — it is what makes the result permanent," said the Feldman Orthodontics team. Patients looking for an orthodontist in Meriden can book a complimentary consultation at the Cheshire, Wallingford, or North Haven office. Surgical orthodontics is available for cases involving skeletal discrepancies.
For more information, visit Feldman Orthodontics.
