Are you looking for a better smile? You may be wondering if braces and Invisalign are right for you.
For years, millions of people have chosen to straighten their teeth using either traditional braces or Invisalign. When deciding on which to use, there are many factors to consider, from costs to restrictions placed upon you by where you live and your career. However, when all is said and done, the most important factor to consider is which option will lead you to be the happiest with your smile! Well, it’s time we find out once and for all…
In this article, we will go into some detail about both types of orthodontics and try to help you decide which one is best for you.
Let’s start with an overview of these two orthodontic treatment solutions
Braces
Braces are considered to be one of the oldest forms of orthodontic treatment; they are centuries old and research shows that they were even used by ancient Egyptians as some were found on old Egyptian mummies.
Braces are often made from metal and are usually attached to the outside of the teeth. Although over the years, braces have evolved from metal to ceramic and lingual (behind the teeth) braces. The way braces work is that they make use of brackets attached to each tooth which is connected by a wire to help shift the teeth safely and effectively.
Now, let’s take a look at some types of Braces
Metal Braces
These are the first and original forms of braces. Metal braces use metal brackets that are connected by a metal wire. They are considered safe, effective, and comfortable for patients of all ages.
Also, they are cost-efficient and are oftentimes covered fully by your health insurance.
However, the thing with dental crowns is that for them (crowns) to fit perfectly, a significant amount of the patient’s dental structure will be altered. This is because these crowns cover from the gumline to the tooth and they are recommended for patients who have sustained serious damage that has weakened the strength and structure of a single tooth.
Ceramic Braces
They are similar to metal braces in terms of the method/technology for orthodontic treatment but the difference is that ceramic braces mostly use tooth-colored resin for the brackets instead of metals, so they are aesthetically more pleasing than metal braces as they blend seamlessly with the teeth. However, they are more prone to staining by colored food due to their clear color and as such it’s not recommended for younger patients.
Lingual Braces
Popularly known as incognito braces because they are not as obvious as metal or ceramic which are outside the teeth. Lingual Braces use the same technology as the other types of braces but the difference is that they are often located on the inside of the teeth near the tongue making them less visible.
Due to their placement, they are considered less effective in certain severe dental cases, and as such your orthodontist might need to assess your dental situation before deciding whether you are a fit for this type of braces.
Also, due to unpopularity, they are often more expensive.
Now, let’s look at some of the Pros and Cons of Braces
Benefits of Braces
- Suitability for all treatments: One of the key advantages of braces is that no matter the dental situation or case, braces can be used to fix them. Braces use archwire and anchors to help pull the teeth and are considered one of the most powerful means for moving the teeth to the right position.
- Faster Treatment Time: In closing tooth gaps and aligning the teeth, braces are reputed to be faster than other alternatives and this is a major factor for a lot of people who want to get their orthodontic treatment done as fast as possible.
- Higher probability of achieving faster results: Braces can move more teeth to achieve the perfect dentition as opposed to other alternatives.
Invisalign
Invisalign are braces that are mostly clear and plastic aligners. Every Invisalign braces are customized for each patient by making a 3d scan of the patient’s mouth
Now let’s take a look at the types of Invisalign
Types of Invisalign
Invisalign Full: This is one of the most common Invisalign types and usually involves making use of a lot of aligners to achieve the desired result. Also, it’s mostly used to treat complex orthodontic conditions. The average time for an Invisalign full treatment ranges between 12- 18 months
Invisalign Lite: As the name implies, this is usually used for less complex cases and with Invisalign lite, a fixed number of aligners are used to help achieve the desired result. It is considered an ideal prerequisite for those who need their teeth adjusted or straightened before getting cosmetic dental work done.
Invisalign i7: This type of Invisalign was designed for those who require minor dental corrections. It can be used to treat cases of overcrowded teeth or even a single crooked tooth. Also, it’s perfect for those who have had a previous orthodontic treatment but suffered a minor relapse.
Invisalign Teen: This is mostly for teenagers and it is designed to fit the changes teenagers undergo as they grow. It comes with 6 free replacement dental aligners in case of loss or damage.
Pros and Cons of Invisalign
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing: Invisalign looks better and this is because they are almost practically invincible. Most people love Invisalign because it removes the feeling of being self-conscious or the knowledge that you are going through Orthodontic treatment.
- Removable: Another advantage of aligners is the fact that you can remove them when you want to eat as you only need to wear them for 20 -22 hours each day for the best results. This means you don’t have any restrictions on what you eat or how you eat.
- Easier to brush/floss with: Like eating, you can remove your aligners to properly brush your teeth
- Comfortable: With Invisalign, you experience lesser gum or mouth problems because they are made of special plastic designed to fit the mouth
Cons
- Requires Discipline: Patients who use aligners have to make sure that they wear the aligner for the 22 hour stipulated time to achieve the desired result but that might prove difficult due to the ease with which you can remove your aligners making some forget to put them back on
- Removing and replacing: With Invisalign, you need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything that isn’t water and this might prove inconvenient when you are in a public restaurant. Also, before replacing your aligners, you need to brush your teeth to prevent food particles from preventing movement of the teeth as well as staining your aligners
Now, let’s take a look at Braces vs Invisalign, which is best for you?
Braces Vs Invisalign
There are some factors to consider to decide between these two dental alternatives;
- Price: When considering the cost of treatment, traditional braces are much more affordable and usually cost between $2500 to $8000 while Invisalign on the other hand costs around $3,500 to $8,000 and this is usually dependent on the trays and severity of the changes needed for the teeth
- Appearance: With regards to appearance and aesthetics, Invisalign wins this round every time and this is simply because aligners are usually undetectable while braces are quite obvious. Most people who prefer to keep their dental treatment discreet, choose Invisalign.
- Comfort: Straightening of the teeth is not exactly a pleasant experience regardless of the dental treatment used. However, Invisalign is much more comfortable than braces because they apply less pressure on the teeth and the overall mouth. Traditional braces have sharp edges that cut the inner lip or tongue
- Effectiveness: In this category, Braces win easily because for decades, braces have been used to straighten the teeth and are unremovable by the patient, so it has to be worn 24/7 throughout the treatment as recommended by the orthodontist. Invisalign, on the other hand, are removable and as a result, the patient sometimes might forget to replace their aligners thereby missing the stipulated time for the aligner to be worn, or sometimes the aligners could get lost and this could cause the teeth to shift if you aren’t wearing them
- Care: Cleaning of teeth is considered to be easier with braces because you can brush or floss normally as you used to but only in certain situations when there is a piece of food stuck, you might require a smaller brush to clean. While with Invisalign, although it’s easier to brush and floss you need to take additional care of the aligners by cleaning them every time you eat and this requires warm water or a special Invisalign solution. Failure to clean can cause a build-up of bacteria or even food and cleaning can prove difficult when you are on public occasions.
Conclusion
Both alternatives are recommended but to decide which is best for you is usually determined by your personal choice and your dental condition. However, some experts recommend braces for kids and teens with severe crookedness and Invisalign for adults who want an almost invisible and comfortable straightening dental procedure.
Want the right treatment for your smile? NoHo Family Dental treats adults, teens, and children for healthy, beautiful smiles.
At NoHo Family Dental, we offer a range of orthodontic treatments including Invisalign and braces.
With our state-of-the-art technology, cutting-edge materials, precise procedures, and a dedicated aesthetician -We offer Invisalign, traditional braces, and other orthodontic treatments for residents of Los Angeles.
