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There are a lot of teeth whitening tips out there. If you ask around, you are likely to get dozens of them. Some may sound legitimate while others may sound downright silly. So, do yourself a favor – don’t ask around. Do your own research and only go through credible medical websites. You’ll find a wealth of helpful teeth whitening tips that will help you achieve a beautiful white smile.

Your teeth are like sponges – they absorb. Just like your skin, your teeth have pores that absorb color instantly. Over time, your teeth take up a darker color due to stains. And these stains are stubborn; they don’t go away on their own unless you remove them through a teeth whitening treatment.

While there are many teeth whitening options out there, two methods are popular.

• At-home teeth whitening kits, and
• Professional teeth whitening treatment at the dentist’s office.

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.

Invisalign braces or aligners are one of the most preferred options for teeth straightening as they are almost invisible, virtually painless, and easy to wear and take off. So if you too have chosen them recently and have questions about cleaning them, this guide is all you need. Listed here are important do’s and don’ts about how to clean Invisalign.

Invisalign has helped to shape 5 million smiles, and each smile has made the system smarter, helping reduce treatment time to as little as 3 months! There are 20 years of research behind every Invisalign, all for every smile.

If you’ve just gotten a new set of aligners, you want to be sure you’re doing everything possible to take good care of them. These tips are simple and easy to practice wherever you are.

Maybe you’ve heard that Invisalign is more expensive than clear braces. But actually, when you compare the cost of both treatments, they’re about the same. Plus, Invisalign treatment gives your teeth a benefit most other aligners don’t. Like the one-of-a-kind material that’s flexible for a better fitting feel. To the software that creates a digital roadmap that previews your new smile, the advances that help treatments finish five months faster than average braces. Of, course, both braces and Invisalign can correct a range of faces, from simple to complex. But, an Invisalign treatment is twice as likely to help you with higher self-esteem, now that you can’t put a price on it.

They’re nearly invisible, so you don’t have to walk around with your mouth looking like the grill of a Mack Truck tailgating you down the highway. They’re removable so you can take them out of your mouth when you’re eating, brushing your teeth, or engaging in extracurricular activities. But, are you the right candidate for Invisalign?

With the new year upon us, you may have already started with a few resolutions and goals. Even if you haven’t as yet, it’s not late; you can decide to make them NOW. However, this time around, add better oral hygiene to your list of this new year’s resolutions.

Making sure that your smile stays brighter and shinier than ever before, doesn’t have to be hard if you add these 4 resolutions to your list of aspirations for the New Year.

Every life stage demands its own unique dental care. No matter where you are at in your journey, this collection of age-targeted dental care tips will help you through.

Stage 1: Babies and Infants (0 to 3 years)

They may have few teeth or none at all. Nevertheless, they require the same attention to oral hygiene as adults.

• If the baby is teething, rub your baby’s gums and give a cold teething ring to chew on.
• If the first tooth begins to appear, clean the baby’s upper and lower gums and the teeth twice a day with a clean, damp, washcloth.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Toothpaste is not recommended before age 2.

You definitely don’t want to lose your money, especially in today’s tough economy. But that’s exactly what will happen if you don’t use your remaining 2018 dental benefits by December 31.

Since you pay for this benefit, you are entitled to use the full amount each year. Any unused amount will be lost forever. In addition to the financial loss, you could also suffer the unnecessary loss of necessary dental care.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. An inexpensive problem – a chipped or damaged tooth, a broken crown or filling, preventive gum care – could be solved before it becomes an expensive problem. If you need a more complex or extensive procedure – a root canal, new crown, bridge, denture or implant – you can start now and finish the work after December 31 when your new benefit year begins with the full amount! And for those procedures with higher co-pays or treatment fees, our Care Credit program can give you easy access to flexible, no-interest financing and affordable payments for up to 12 months upon credit approval.