Invisalign vs. braces

If you’re considering corrective orthodontic treatment for yourself or for your child, you may be curious about the differences between Invisalign and traditional braces. While cost is certainly something you’ll take into consideration, you’ll likely also want to think about overall effectiveness, comfort, and duration of treatment. That’s a lot to think about. Because Invisalign has only been widely used for about 20 years, you may not be able to find as much information about this treatment as you will find about braces. Both treatments are designed, overall, to straighten your teeth while also providing oral health benefits and cosmetic benefits. Braces are metal brackets that are cemented to the surfaces of your teeth and connected to one another with metal wires and very small rubber bands. Thanks to innovations in orthodontic treatment, you can get brackets that are similar in color to your natural teeth, providing a more subtle appearance, and you can get brackets and bands in various colors, if you want to have fun with the appearance of your orthodontia. As you may be able to tell from the name, Invisalign, on the other hand, is designed to be invisible. Invisalign aligner trays are made from clear, BPA-free plastic and are designed to be worn over the teeth, gently moving them into better alignment. Your dental specialist will take x-rays of your mouth, as well as dental impressions and photographs, in order to properly create your custom-made set of aligner trays. Both traditional braces and Invisalign can help straighten the teeth, but each has its own set of pros and cons.

Braces cannot be removed by the wearer. Typically silver in color, patients may pay more for braces that match the color of the teeth, or for braces that are colored. The average duration of treatment with traditional metal braces is 2 years, though the time of treatment varies based on patient need. The cost of traditional braces ranges from $1,800 to $5,500, depending on complexity and duration of treatment and materials used. Braces are cleaned by the wearer while performing routine oral hygiene, though a water pick may be needed for debris that is trapped under wires and in other small mechanical spaces. Your orthodontist will recommend periodic maintenance visits, occasionally as often as every month, and, in most cases, a retainer is recommended for maintenance following the removal of the braces. Some retainers are to be worn around the clock, while some are intended to be worn only while sleeping. Braces may be the preferred treatment in more severe cases of misalignment, as they are generally more aggressive in their mechanical function, and braces may also be preferable if the patient lacks discipline, since they cannot be removed by the wearer. For this last reason, many people choose traditional braces, rather than Invisalign, for younger patients who may be less systematic in their behavior, as there is less risk that the treatment will be ineffective. While these are strong factors in favor of braces, many people who wear traditional braces experience some discomfort or pain due to tooth movement or friction. It is inadvisable to eat sticky or exceptionally hard foods while wearing braces, and in most cases it isn’t comfortable to do so. Upon removal, the wearer’s teeth may be discolored, due to wear or hygiene. Finally, braces are not recommended for people who regularly play rough contact sports, like rugby or wrestling, though a flexible mouthguard may provide some protection during sports.

Invisalign is intended to be removed by the wearer and is clear, if not invisible. Patients wear Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day, if not more, and typically, treatment lasts anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Invisalign costs about $5,000; this cost varies somewhat depending on the number of trays that need to be prepared for each patient. Some patients elect to purchase a separate cleaning system for their Invisalign trays, while others find that regularly brushing and rinsing the trays is satisfactory for their hygiene needs. Most people undergoing Invisalign treatment change their trays about every two weeks, and dentists recommend office visits periodically throughout the duration of treatment. It is likely that you will be fitted for a retainer that you will wear following the completion of Invisalign treatment. Some people wear their retainer all the time, while others wear them only when sleeping. Invisalign offers many pros. Not only are Invisalign aligners Invisalign invisible, they are removable, allowing wearers to eat whatever they want and also preventing embarrassment -- there are no issues with food getting caught in your Invisalign! While Invisalign is also more comfortable than braces, as it is lacking wires that can poke or scratch the inside of the mouth, the treatment does have some negative attributes. Invisalign is likely to cause discomfort for the first few days of treatment and when users start new aligner trays, though this discomfort is usually easily managed. With the exception of water, wearers must remove their Invisalign aligners before eating or drinking anything. It is important to brush the teeth after every meal, with the aligners out, to prevent staining of the teeth. While Invisalign can be ideal for many people who desire a more pleasant smile, it may not be recommended in cases of more serious misalignment, such as the need to rotate premolars or canines, and it is unlikely to be used when teeth must be moved vertically, or when there are issues with the bite mechanics of the rear molars. People with bridgework are also not recommended for Invisalign, in most cases, nor are people who lack the discipline to wear their Invisalign aligning trays for at least 22 hours a day. The best way to decide between braces and Invisalign is to talk to your dentist and learn more about your specific needs, so make an appointment and find out what’s best for your smile.

More on Invisalign : How Does Invisalign Work?