Invisalign® vs Braces: Which is Better for You?
Both have their benefits, but the right one for you or your child depends on many factors.
Straightening your teeth does more than just give you a beautiful smile. While it’s a plus, and often a main reason people choose to straighten their teeth, there is much more that goes on behind the scenes that will benefit your overall oral health. Straight teeth are often easier to clean, which helps stave off cavities. They can also help correct your bite, aligning your teeth and jaw.
Brace Yourself
Constructed from colored metal or resin brackets, braces are attached to the face of your teeth. Braces are better for fixing complex dental issues. For example, if one tooth is higher than the others, you may want to go with braces rather than Invisalign®.
Unlike Invisalign®, braces are permanent. They work around the clock to help you achieve the perfect smile. Since Invisalign® is temporary, there’s always the temptation to remove the aligners. And, if you remove them too often, you can erase any progress you made.
Traditional braces require fewer trips to the dentist, saving you time and gas money! And, it doesn’t hurt that you can choose the color of your braces to make a fashion statement.
Get Aligned
Invisalign® is computer-generated and custom-made for your teeth. It’s composed of clear trays that are virtually Invisible, meaning Invisalign® wearers can smile more confidently in social situations than they might wearing braces!
Invisalign® also feels more comfortable than traditional braces. Braces tend to irritate and chafe the inside of your mouth. With Invisalign®, there are no wires or brackets rubbing against the inside of your mouth.
Invisalign® is a great option for any athletes. If your child wears braces and gets hit in the face with a ball, the brackets could cut their lip or cheek. Also, while braces can sometimes give you a slight lisp, Invisalign® doesn’t affect your speech.
Metal Braces vs. Invisalign®: What’s the difference?
Invisalign®
The basis of Invisalign® gives patients the option to have braces discretely because they are made to be Invisible. Invisalign® uses aligner trays made of BPA-free plastic to subtly and gradually move your teeth. This type of plastic is smooth and comfortable, so wearing the trays is an easy process. Rather than using a mold, Invisalign® uses a 3-D image of your teeth to configure aligner trays with just the right fit.
Metal braces
This is what people typically picture when they think of getting braces. Metal brackets are glued to the enamel of each tooth. Metal wires are then maneuvered between the brackets to help mold and shape your teeth over time. The wires being placed on the bracket can sometimes be made the same color as your enamel, so they’re less noticeable. Or, patients can choose from multiple colors to have a bit of fun with their braces – perfect for teens!
Benefits of Metal Braces
It’s best to consider a list of what makes metal braces a good option depending on your case.
Irremovable
Metal braces will stay in place, which is good for patients who are worried about losing their trays, or don’t want to have to change their trays out frequently.
Treatment time
Because metal braces are irremovable, the treatment time can often be much quicker than Invisalign® depending on what the patient needs.
Cleaning
Cleaning teeth with metal braces is generally easier as it just requires regular brushing and flossing, just like you would without them.
Cost
The price of metal braces ranges patient to patient. Generally patients can expect to spend anywhere from $1,800 to $5,500.
After-care
Once you’ve completed your treatment, it’s important to keep all that hard work intact. A positioner or retainer is used to keep the teeth in form, and is usually worn every night.
Effectiveness
Patients with fairly complex dental issues may want to consider traditional metal braces as an option.
Benefits of Invisalign®
The use of Invisalign® is an efficient method for tooth movements that are not too complicated. A set of clear, computer-generated trays is ideally worn 24 hours a day with change-outs every two weeks.
Cost
Invisalign® averages around $5,000 for treatment. Talk to orthodontist at Bright Now! Dental for pricing options available to you.
Cleaning
You can clean Invisalign® trays with an Invisalign® cleaning system, or by brushing and rinsing the trays in luke-warm water.
Removable
One of the biggest benefits to having Invisalign® as a treatment option is that the trays can be removed, allowing you to eat and drink without getting food stuck.
Appearance
With Invisalign®, many people may not even notice when a patient is wearing them. Your treatment is a secret!
Comfort
The Invisalign® treatment can be a bit more comfortable than metal braces, as there are no brackets that can create sores in your mouth.
Treatment time
This will depend on the patient’s needs and if patients have more complex dental issues metal braces may be a better option.