You want to straighten your teeth but cannot decide which treatment to choose, braces or Invisalign.
Do your research, ask questions of your dentist, and make an informed decision. The treatment that is best for you will also depend on the type of orthodontic problem you need to have corrected. Invisalign is not always the best option.
Traditional braces are usually made of metal and attach to the outside of the teeth. Now there are options for braces including ceramic and behind the teeth braces.
Invisalign treatment uses translucent aligners. The aligners are customized by making a 3D scan of your mouth. The digitally designed move the teeth in small increments until the correct position is reached.
The Advantages of Invisalign
Here are a few advantages of Invisalign:
- Invisalign Looks Better- The biggest benefit of Invisalign is that the retainers are virtually invisible. Your friends, family, and co-workers cannot see you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. People will not comment on your new braces, and you do not have to worry about your smile in photos.
- You Can Take the Aligners Out to Eat- For best results Invisalign must be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day, which means you can remove your aligners when you are eating. You do not have to change what you eat or how you eat it. With braces you may find some types of foods difficult or uncomfortable to eat.
- It is Easier to Brush and Floss Your Teeth- As well as when you eat and drink, you will also remove your Invisalign retainers to brush your teeth. With no appliances attached to your teeth, you can continue brushing and flossing normally.
- Fewer Consultations Required- With Invisalign, much of the dentist’s work happens before you wear your aligners. A digital, 3D scan of your teeth is used to create all the customized retainers. You will change the multiple sets of retainers according to your dentist’s instructions. There is no need to visit the dentist for adjustments, so visits are minimal to monitor progress.
- Comfortable to Wear- Moving teeth with Invisalign can be uncomfortable, much like traditional braces. However, there are fewer mouth and gum problems with Invisalign. Invisalign retainers are made of a specific plastic and fitted to your mouth, there are no cuts on the inside cheeks or salt washes to contend with.
The Advantages of Braces
Traditional braces, or newer lingual braces, have benefits as well:
- Suitable for All Treatments- With braces it does not matter how difficult your case is. You may have multiple dental and facial issues that need correcting, and braces can be used to fix them all, so you finish treatment with an incredible smile. Braces use anchors and an arch wire to pull the teeth into place.
- Possible to Achieve a Perfect Result- Braces can achieve a better result than Invisalign. Invisalign is limited in terms of how much teeth can be moved at a time.
- Multiple Types of Braces to Choose From- Braces are not just traditional metal. You now have the choice of lingual and ceramic braces to be less noticeable.
- Faster Treatment Time- Generally, when closing gaps and aligning teeth, the time can be faster with braces versus Invisalign. The speed of your treatment might be a significant factor.
