Invisalign vs Braces

Invisalign | Traditional braces have changed over the years. Decades ago, horror stories about these orthodontic appliances were commonplace. Braces were bulky, noticeable and often uncomfortable. Today’s metal braces are sleeker, less obtrusive and more comfortable. However, many people have turned to Invisalign as a more modern type of orthodontics. 

Some considerations when choosing between Invisalign and braces:

• Ability to remove appliances
• Comfort level
• Visibility
• Food restrictions

Conventional braces are at least as effective as Invisalign, so it’s important to understand the differences between the two treatments to find out what works best for you or your child.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a more advanced and modern technique for aligning teeth. The process involves the patient wearing plastic trays individually crafted to fit the unique contours of their teeth and mouth.

Although Invisalign is completely removable by the wearer, the trays must be worn throughout most of the day and night. About every six weeks, users receive a new set of trays.

Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros

Invisalign offers numerous benefits, one of which is that the system is almost invisible. Wearers love the fact that hardly anyone can detect that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment. This is particularly important for teens living through their awkward, self-conscious years.

If you choose Invisalign, you should have no concerns about your braces being obvious whenever you smile or open your mouth.

With Invisalign, it is much easier to brush your teeth after you eat or drink. You simply remove your aligners whenever you need to brush or floss your teeth, replacing them when done. Invisalign is known to cause fewer mouth and gum problems than traditional braces. There are no sharp edges that can cause cuts or abrasions on the inner part of the cheeks. The plastic used with Invisalign is smooth, providing a comfortable fit.

Cons

Although being able to conveniently remove your aligners at any time is a plus, it can be a negative as well. You may forget to replace your aligners after you have cleaned them, or brushed and flossed your teeth. You’re required to wear aligners for around 22 hours a day. Failure to do so can delay your treatment time or cause other problems.

Invisalign is also not right for everyone. Those who have extremely crooked teeth do not make good candidates.

Braces

Braces may come in the form of metal or ceramic brackets to be attached and bonded to teeth. A wire is threaded through the brackets, allowing for the braces to be tightened at periodic intervals.

Pros

Because braces are stronger than Invisalign, they can use more force in shifting teeth into their correct positions. Also, since braces are fixed in your mouth, you will not have to worry about keeping up with aligners.

Cons

Many people simply don’t like the aesthetics of traditional metal braces. Although today’s braces are not as bulky as they once were, they are still quite visible whenever you smile or open your mouth.

Another drawback to metal braces is that it is harder to clean the teeth because of all the wires and brackets that must be cleaned around. Therefore, if you don’t keep your teeth clean, plaque can build up, leading to tooth decay and stains.

Learn More

Discover if Invisalign is right for you! Contact Comfort Dental Framingham at 508-620-1170 or request an appointment online. New patients are welcome.