Braces vs Invisalign

It happens all the time. Whether you like it or not, you’re often judged by the way you look and the way you decide to present yourself. Although beauty is whole-heartedly in the eye of the beholder, it may be close to impossible to not make snap judgments about someone looking by the way they dress, their hairstyle, or even their shoes.

One of the first things people notice when they meet someone new, however, is their smile. A smile has the ability to make or break someone’s first impression of you. In fact, just by looking at your teeth, people can form opinions about how conscious you’re about your health, how attractive you are and this may often bleed into deducing how well you succeed in your career.

A recent digital perception study supports the importance of smiles and found that properly aligned teeth are a positive trigger for assumptions of attractiveness, success, overall health, and even intelligence. Crooked teeth are valued less by people and are often associated with less success and poor love life.

Fortunately, with many different corrective options available today, you can conquer the chance to experience a stunning, straight smile all for yourself!

Braces vs Invisalign

Braces are traditionally made of metal and attached to the outer surfaces of your teeth, designed to shift your teeth into the desired position in order to create an ideal smile. Invisalign, on the other hand, are a series of clear aligners that are customized for each patient. They are used to move the teeth around in small increments until the correct position is achieved.

Read on to know the pros and cons of each technique of orthodontic teeth straightening.

Appearance

Possibly one of the biggest differences between braces and Invisalign is the cosmetic impact it poses. In terms of appearance, Invisalign always seems to have the upper hand being that they are virtually detectable to the naked eye. In contrast, metallic braces are far less discreet and can flaunt a rather conspicuous exterior.

However, while a noticeable oral device can pose a problem for social and professional situations for teens and young adults, kids may enjoy showcasing their braces as they come readily in fun colors and designs.

Comfort of wear

The process of straightening teeth may not be the most leisurely experience. No matter if you choose braces or Invisalign, the intense process of shifting your teeth’s alignment can be uncomfortable and often, even painful. However, in comparison, Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces because of the overall pressure it applies on your teeth, which is far less than that applied by braces.

Furthermore, you are more susceptible to oral injury with braces than you’re with Invisalign. This is because braces can have sharp edges that can cause nicks and cuts on the inner lips, cheeks, and tongue. This can easily become a safety hazard if you play contact sports. Invisalign is less irritating to the soft tissues and relatively comfortable to wear.

Effectiveness

Metal braces are essentially bonded to the teeth using special dental cement which means that they are not removable by the patient on impulse. As a result, the patient is compelled to wear them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the treatment period is complete.

While this may be inconvenient at times, it significantly helps improve patient compliance which in turn strengthens the treatment process. Conversely, the recommended duration of wear for Invisalign is 22 hours which should be adhered to by the patient at their own will.

Convenience

Both braces and Invisalign have pros and cons in terms of convenience. While braces are convenient because you don’t need to take them out, they can often be a bother as they prevent you from eating certain foods for fear of them sticking to the metal framework.

Invisalign is more convenient when you want to eat your favourite hard or sticky foods, but remembering to take out trays can cause a whole lot of issues for the process.

Care and cleaning

Clear aligners are much easier to maintain. All you have to do is rinse and scrub them in warm water and- voila – you have a fresh new smile. Cleaning in between the crevices of your braces can be time-consuming and will require some additional effort. Nevertheless, oral hygiene is important regardless of if you have braces or Invisalign, so don’t forget to brush and floss!

Follow-up treatment

Regular orthodontic appointments are important for both braces and Invisalign clear aligners. For metal braces, this means about every month and for Invisalign every four to six weeks. Once you have completed your treatment with braces, you’ll be required to wear a retainer of some sort to ensure that your teeth maintain their new positions.

Invisalign also requires you to wear a tray at night once your treatment is complete.

Price

In the United States, Invisalign clear aligners can cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 while traditional braces can cost between $3,000 and $6,000. However, there is no one standard price for the two as the price can depend largely on the severity of dental alignment, the length of treatment, and the age of the patient.

While braces and Invisalign aligners both have their fair share of advantages, your dentist will be the one to recommend the right treatment route for you. Call us at 626-444-2002 and we can set up an appointment to discuss your options, and we can discuss financial options with Care Credit.