Invisalign vs. Braces: Which is Right for You?

Deciding between Invisalign and traditional braces can be a challenging decision. Both options can help straighten your teeth and improve your smile, but they have distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this article we’ll review the pros and cons of each appliance so you’ll have a better sense of what your journey entails with each option. 

Invisalign: The top of the line clear aligner on the market. 

Pros:

• Aesthetics: Invisalign aligners are clear making them a popular choice for adults and teens who want discreet orthodontic treatment.   
• Comfort: Invisalign aligners are generally more comfortable than braces, as they don’t have metal wires or brackets that can irritate your gums or cheeks.
• Removable: Invisalign aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, and brushing, which can make it easier to maintain oral hygiene and enjoy your favorite foods.
• Shorter Treatment Time: In some cases, Invisalign can straighten teeth faster than traditional braces.
• Longer Intervals between Office Visits: We see our Invisalign patients typically every 8-12 weeks whereas patients in brackets need to be seen every 4-8 weeks which makes aligners ideal for college students or frequent travelers.
• Less Food Restrictions: With Invisalign treatment you have much less food restrictions than with braces.
• Preferred for Patients with Restorations: For patients who have multiple crowns, bridges, implants, or restorations, Invisalign is preferred as we have more flexibility in attachment position and can utilize the software to not apply any undesirable force/movement (i.e. on an Implant).

Cons:

• Cost: Invisalign may be more expensive than traditional braces.
• Compliance: You must wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours per day to achieve the desired results. If compliance waivers the treatment time will lengthen.
• Limited Treatment Options: Invisalign may not be suitable for very complex orthodontic problems, like a high or abnormally erupting canine or very tipped in molars. 
• Closing Spaces: Depending on the case, space closure (tightening tooth contacts) takes longer to accomplish with aligners compared to brackets. 

Traditional Braces: The classic approach to a beautiful smile.

Pros:

• Cost: Traditional braces are often less expensive than Invisalign.
• Versatility: Braces can treat a wider range of orthodontic problems compared to Invisalign. 
• Less Patient Responsibility: Braces will straighten your teeth as long as you come to your scheduled orthodontic visits without you having to worry about wear time or changing aligners on time. You do, however, still have to comply with elastic wear to correct your bite. 
• More Predictable for Challenging Cases: Certain cases like very rotated teeth, tipped in teeth, or extraction cases are better done with braces. Talk to your Orthodontist about which is best for your treatment outcome. 

Cons:

• Aesthetics: Braces are more noticeable than Invisalign aligners. However we do offer Ceramic braces which are a nice middle ground between Metal Brackets and Clear Aligners! 
• Comfort: Braces can be a little uncomfortable, especially at the beginning of treatment. However, within a week most patients feel completely adjusted.
• Broken Brackets: Hard chewy foods, sporting activities, accidents that involve your teeth, and habits (like chewing on pen caps or ice) can all cause broken brackets. You’ll need to schedule a repair visit to come in for us to repair your broken bracket(s) and if there are multiple incidents it will increase your treatment time.
• Oral Hygiene: Braces can make it more difficult to keep your teeth and gums clean, so you must be more diligent with oral hygiene tools and brushing, flossing, rinsing multiple times a day while in treatment. 
• Food Restrictions: You must avoid chewy, hard, sticky foods while in braces as they will break off your brackets and require a repair appointment. 
• White Spot Lesions: If plaque is allowed to accumulate around the brackets without being properly cleaned for too long, white spot lesions may occur. A white spot lesion is a white bracket shaped square that is left on the permanent tooth structure after braces are removed due to demineralization that occurred beneath and around the bracket surface. There are solutions to white spot lesions but the best solution is to prevent them from happening in the first place. 

While there are a lot of considerations, don’t be overwhelmed! Come in for a complimentary consultation and your Orthodontist will discuss all the pros and cons of each treatment option for your particular case 😊