Misaligned or crooked teeth do more than ruin your smile. Since they are difficult to clean, the chances of tooth decay and gum diseases increase. Braces are widely used for teeth straightening. However, traditional or metal braces are uncomfortable, unattractive, and come with a few hassles. On the other hand, Invisalign, a famous brand of clear aligners, is far more convenient and offers a host of advantages.
We at Coral Dental Care offer exceptional Invisalign treatment, which is quick, effective, and convenient. But sometimes, the orthodontist must put you on metal braces to cure your teeth and jaw misalignment. Otherwise, Invisalign aligners are generally a better option.
If you, too, are looking for enhanced teeth straightening options but are struggling to choose between Invisalign and traditional braces, this article can help you decide. Take a look!
Which is Better, Invisalign or Braces?
There are several options available for teeth straightening. While the debate between braces and Invisalign has long raged, both have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at some things to consider when selecting the best one for you:
Appearance
Metal braces are often disliked by the majority of people who opt for teeth straightening because of their bulky appearance. They are highly noticeable due to the metal brackets and wires. On the other hand, clear aligners are virtually invisible as they are made from clear plastic. This gives them an aesthetic advantage over traditional braces.
Convenience
Conventional braces cannot be removed at will. They can only be professionally removed. However, Invisalign is removable for brief periods. You can easily take them off while eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth. This makes activities such as chewing or cleaning teeth easy as opposed to the metal braces, which cannot be removed at your convenience.
Comfort and Safety
Traditional metal braces are made up of wires and protruding pieces of metal which may scratch the insides of your mouth and gums. Invisalign aligners are smooth trays and do not include any protruding or sharp edges. This makes them safer as compared to their traditional counterpart. Also, conventional braces can lead to demineralization and decaying of teeth apart from using great force for teeth straightening.
Clear aligners gently exert the right amount of force to shift the teeth back into their correct places.
Enhanced Treatment Planning
A specialized computer program is used for Invisalign treatment, enabling improved treatment planning. The patient knows exactly how the treatment will proceed and what can be expected from it. Teeth straightening treatment involving metal braces may be a trial and error situation.
Oral Care & Cleaning
The ease of maintaining oral hygiene is one of the primary reasons for many patients to choose Invisalign over traditional braces. Since they can be easily removed, brushing and flossing can be done as usual. Since traditional braces can’t be removed at will, the brackets and wires make brushing and flossing difficult. Besides, food particles can easily get stuck between your teeth, brackets, and wires. This increases the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Freedom to Eat What You Like
With braces, there are a lot of restrictions on the types of foods you can eat. For instance, pizza crust, popcorn, chewy or hard candies, and whole fruits and vegetables are to be strictly avoided. Invisalign aligners can be removed for short durations of time for activities such as eating or cleaning teeth.
Hence, you can eat foods of your choice without worrying about damaging your teeth or the braces.
Certain individual circumstances make Invisalign and braces an ideal choice or not a perfect choice. For instance, a person lacking the discipline to wear Invisalign for 22 hours a day must not opt for Invisalign. Similarly, wearing braces can be a safety risk if you are engaged in contact or vigorous sports.
Invisalign vs. Braces Pros and Cons
Check out the following pros and cons of Invisalign and braces to better understand the right choice for your misalignment treatment. This will help you decide which option you would like to go with if your orthodontist provides you with a choice.
Pros of Invisalign
- The primary benefits of Invisalign are that it fits closely to your teeth because it is custom-made with transparent plastic material. Therefore hardly anyone can know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
- The fit of clear aligners is so perfect and smooth that it doesn’t cause cuts in the mouth and is not uncomfortable like traditional braces.
- You can remove the aligners to brush and floss your teeth.
- Eating and chewing are simple and easy with Invisalign aligners, unlike traditional braces.
Cons of Invisalign
- Invisalign is not the solution for all kinds of bite issues. You may need braces or other orthodontic treatment for severe misalignment.
- You need to remove clear aligners before eating or drinking anything apart from water and wear them again without much delay.
- And you also need to brush your teeth before wearing them each time.
Read More: Invisalign Aligners: Here’s How to Keep Them Clean
Pros of Traditional Braces
- Traditional braces work for almost every misalignment.
- You don’t need to do any separate cleaning procedures for cleaning braces.
- Another convenience-related benefit of braces is that you don’t need to remove braces for eating or drinking.
Cons of Braces
- Metal braces cause irritation and cuts in your mouth until you get used to them.
- The metal braces are visible to others.
- There are dietary restrictions with metal braces that you can’t eat crunchy or hard food.
- You need more frequent visits to orthodontists with traditional braces.
FAQ
Check out these FAQ for further clarity about the unique features of braces and Invisalign.
Invisalign vs Braces: Which is cheaper?
It’s the most common question, but there’s no straightforward answer to this question. The final cost of any treatment depends upon several factors, such as the severity of the condition, appointments required, and complications developing during the treatment. Plus, different kinds of insurance coverage are available, so you don’t need to cover the entire cost.
Invisalign vs braces: Which is faster?
Generally, Invisalign is faster. But the severity of your case or modifications required in the treatment may affect the duration.
Invisalign vs Braces: What Should You Prefer?
There are specific pros and cons to both treatment options. And both treatment options are suitable and not suitable in certain circumstances. Factors such as your lifestyle, convenience, and the severity of your bite issues must be considered to decide the best option. However, the most crucial factor would be your orthodontist’s recommendation. They are the best people to advise whether traditional braces or Invisalign aligners are better for you, depending on the level of your jaw or teeth misalignment.
Contact us today for more information on braces vs. Invisalign and which is a better treatment option for you.
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health,recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.