A dental professional can straighten your teeth in several ways. Invisalign and traditional braces are one of the most preferred treatments nowadays, and they both come with their own set of disadvantages and advantages. The following are some of the pros and cons of Invisalign and braces to help you make an informed decision.
Both Invisalign and braces are used to improve a person’s oral health and their smile and straighten their teeth. While braces have been around for a longer period of time, Invisalign is a newer treatment. Braces are made out of metal brackets that are glued to the outside of a patient’s teeth and are connected together with small rubber bands and wires. The brackets and wires are pressed against the patient’s teeth and it helps in straightening the teeth by supporting slight movements. The more modern version can include brackets that are the same color as your tooth enamel and can be much sleeker. Invisalign are clear plastic aligners that others can barely see. They are made custom for each patient by making a 3D scan of their mouth.
Braces move misaligned teeth in their right place in a relatively short period. They are also used to correct bad bites and malocclusion (crowded or crooked teeth). Invisalign is also designed to reposition your jaw and teeth over time just like braces. Instead of the wire and metal used in braces, Invisalign uses smooth and clear plastic. With Invisalign, you would ideally war the 24 hours a day and change them every two weeks, however, some trays last from six months to a year.
Benefits of Braces
Braces are not removable, and although it may seem like a con, it can work to your advantage. Since braces are permanently attached to your teeth, they are improving your smile around the clock. There will always be a temptation to remove your Invisalign trays and thus not make progress in aligning your teeth. With braces, however, you don’t have the choice to take them off.
With braces, the visits to the dentist can be spread out to 6 weeks, and with Invisalign, you usually have to change the trays every 2 weeks. Also, braces are very efficient at solving complex dental problems, for instance, if you have one tooth that is in a higher position than the other. This is why visiting a dentist who has experience in both Invisalign and braces is always a good idea.
While Invisalign can be used to fix crossbites, overbites, underbites, crooked teeth, gapped teeth, overly crowded teeth, one thing it can’t do is fix complex cases. Teeth issues that are severely complicated are best fixed with a permanent bracket.
What Makes Invisalign Better
Braces can be quite a challenge when it comes to oral hygiene and maintenance of your teeth. Brushing and flossing can be really difficult with wires and brackets. Although your dentist will show you the best way to clean your teeth and braces, you might need a Waterpik for certain areas you aren’t able to reach. Mouthwash is also helpful. You will also need to avoid certain foods that are hard and crunchy like popcorn or apples.
Invisalign will make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene since you can remove the trays and brush and floss your teeth. Invisalign doesn’t come with any food restrictions, which means that you can eat and drink anything you want. You can remove the trays anytime you drink or eat something in order to prevent staining. One of the best parts of Invisalign is that it’s invisible, so you wouldn’t want a coffee or red wine stain on the trays. After every meal, you should wash your teeth to keep pieces of food getting stuck inside your aligners.
There is also a big difference in the time it takes for Invisalign or braces to fix your issue. While the average treatment time with braces is between 18 months and three years with constant wear, the average time for Invisalign is only 12 to 18 months.
As already mentioned, Invisalign is pretty much invisible, which can make you feel comfortable smiling while fixing your teeth. Wearing Invisalign won’t interfere with your everyday life, and people won’t even notice that you’re wearing it.
With Invisalign, a 3D scan of your teeth is used in order to make the custom retainers in a laboratory. Your dentist will give you direction on when and how to change the multiple sets of retainers and there won’t be a need for you to visit the dentist for adjustments. You will go to the dentist only to check on the progress and visits will be kept at a minimum.
Another benefit of Invisalign is comfort. Since Invisalign is made out of comfortable and smooth plastic, you won’t be constantly annoyed by wires poking at your mouth and irritating it, nor get cut by the brackets.
To reach your final decision and make the best choice possible, consult your dentist. In case you have specific concerns or needs, bring them up to your dentist so they can be fully addressed.
