Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces: Which Is The Best For You?

Both braces and Invisalign are effective orthodontic solutions to getting straighter teeth. They help to get teeth into their proper positions and also ensure that they function properly. These types of products help in sorting out a variety of orthodontic issues such as crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, gaps between teeth, etc.

With the many options to pick from, it might be a daunting experience having to settle on one mode of treatment. While both treatments are effective in their own ways, they also come with their benefits as well as challenges. Before deciding which one to choose, it is paramount to look at what each does, what they are good at, and what their drawbacks are.

Getting to the basics

Traditional braces have metal brackets that are glued on your teeth and held together by tiny rubber bands and wires. Nowadays, there are different types of braces that one can choose from. Some of them are made from ceramic (whose brackets closely match the color of your enamel), lingual, or the standard metallic braces.

Invisalign is designed to be virtually invisible. It consists of aligner trays that are made from smooth, clear, and comfortable, BPA-free plastic. The product is worn over your teeth and gently moves the teeth to the required position. The trays are custom-made and a 3D impression of your dental structure is first made to determine how the Invisalign trays are made.

Invisalign and traditional braces are similar in many ways, despite their appearances and how they work. They must be worn all day long for a period recommended by the dentist, although Invisalign can be removed after at least 22 hours when eating, brushing, or flossing teeth.

Both also require a strict commitment that ought to be adhered to for successful results. Oral health must be observed during the treatment period of both orthodontic solutions.

Invisalign vs. Braces: Which wins the show?

To get a clearer picture of the differences between the two forms of orthodontic treatment, take a look at the detailed chart below:

Braces

vs

Invisalign

Non-removable

Convenience

Removable

Traditional braces are metallic (silver in color). However, you can get ceramic braces that mimic the color of your enamel.

Color

Clear/invisible

They must be worn every day for at least 24 months or more, depending on the dentist’s instructions.

Treatment time

It should be worn for at least 22 hours every day for an average of 6 to 18 months, depending on the patient’s needs.

Not the easiest to maintain. Hard to floss teeth with braces on. A water pick might be helpful in cleaning the brackets.

Maintenance

The easiest to maintain. It is easy to maintain oral hygiene such as flossing. You can use the Invisalign cleaning system or use lukewarm water to clean.

Visits to the dentist after every month

Follow up visits

Visits are after every 4 to 6 weeks. The aligners have to be changed after 2 weeks.

• More effective for more severe orthodontic issues
• Less discipline is required as they are hard to take them off on your own
• No extra cleaning instructions apart from the standard brushing of teeth.

Pros

• They are virtually invisible
• They are removable whenever you want for convenience
• No chance of food getting caught
• No dietary restrictions
• No wires to cause discomfort or irritations.

• The brackets or wires might induce some pain or discomfort
• Tooth discoloration may happen due to difficult hygiene
• Bracket breakage is a possibility, hence increasing your chances of going back to the dentist before your follow-ups
• Lots of dietary restrictions especially for sticky, hard, and sugary foods.

Cons

• May have discomfort from tooth movement
• The aligners must be removed before eating or drinking anything but water
• The aligners have to be changed every two weeks.
• Teeth must be brushed after each meal to avoid staining

Patients who:

• Play rough contact sports regularly
• Have a history of weak gums and periodontal diseases

NOT ideal for

Patients who:

• Have had other orthodontic treatments such as veneers or crowns
• Have had bridgework
• Have more complicated orthodontic issues
• Lack the discipline to keep them on for at least 22 hours every day.

Over to You

As it can be seen clearly, comparing braces and Invisalign is a tight race. If you feel like the idea of removing your trays every time you want to eat is inconvenient, then traditional braces might be ideal for you. It is also the best option for those that have more severe cases that Invisalign may not treat.

On the other hand, if you are more self-conscious, then Invisalign is for you. The fact that it is virtually invisible is a plus for those that don’t want others to know that they are under orthodontic treatment. Furthermore, they are removable so that you can practise your oral hygiene and eat your favorite meals.

Getting Invisalign in Northampton is easy and also a lot more affordable. Get in touch with some of the best orthodontists in the UK and experience a whole new world of better smiles.