Are you considering getting braces for yourself or your child for crooked teeth? Invisalign and traditional braces both have their pros and cons, so it cannot be easy to decide which is right for you and your oral health. In this blog post, we’ll compare Invisalign and traditional braces to help you make the prime decision for your needs.
Traditional braces are the most common type of braces. They consist of metal brackets that are fixed to the front surface of the teeth. A wire is threaded through each bracket and tightened at various intervals. This provides the orthodontist with the ability to place pressure on different areas of the bite, gradually bringing the teeth into their proper position. Traditional braces are usually made of stainless steel, but they can also be made of titanium or gold. They typically need to be worn for one to three years, depending on the severity of the case.
Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear aligners to straighten teeth. Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, flexible material that is virtually invisible when worn. They are designed to move your teeth into the proper position over time.
Invisalign aligners are removable. If you are considering Invisalign for straighter teeth, be sure to talk to your orthodontist to find out if it is the right treatment for you. Keep reading to learn more!
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What are the advantages of Invisalign?
If you’re like most people, you probably think of braces when you hear the word “orthodontics.” However, Invisalign is quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional braces. Here are just some of the advantages of Invisalign:
Improved aesthetics -Invisalign is composed of a multilayer aromatic thermoplastic polyurethane/copolyester. It is virtually invisible when worn compared to other orthodontic treatment options. The improved aesthetics is one of the main advantages this invisible aligner has for teens and adults alike.
Convenience when eating – Although Invisalign should be worn for a large portion of the day, it is a custom-made tray that can be removed with ease. It is typically removed when eating and drinking to avoid damage to the aligner trays.
Easy dental hygiene practices – Invisalign aligners are removed to allow thorough cleaning of the aligner trays and teeth. Since nothing is on your teeth, you can continue brushing and flossing as usual. Cleaning the aligner trays is as simple as soaking the trays in a cleansing solution.
Less dental consultations – The majority of Invisalign treatment is done unsupervised. An initial consultation is required for your dentist to determine your eligibility for the treatment. Measurements will be taken during this consultation to map out a treatment plan. Upon receiving your series of Invisalign aligners, your dentist will instruct you how often to switch your aligners to the next in the series. Orthodontic adjustments are not required to track progress. Fewer visits to the orthodontist mean less time off.
Comfort during treatment – Like traditional braces, Invisalign can cause discomfort and pain when moving teeth. However, patients report less incidence of oral and gingival complications during Invisalign treatment. However, there are also fewer mouth and gum problems with Invisalign.
What are the disadvantages of Invisalign?
If you’re considering Invisalign to correct your smile, you should be aware of the potential disadvantages of the treatment. While most people are happy with their results, there are a few things to keep in mind before you make your decision.
Patient error – Patients undergoing Invisalign treatment need to practice self-discipline. Your dentist will usually ask you to wear your plastic aligners for around 22 hours per day. Your treatment results are highly dependent on how long the aligners are worn. Invisalign treatment failure primarily occurs due to poor patient compliance with wearing their aligners.
Double-edged convenience – The need to remove your aligners during the intake of food and drink can be inconvenient, especially in public. You will need to remove your aligners subtly and make sure that they are not misplaced. To keep your aligners clean, you will also need to brush your teeth prior to replacing your Invisalign after a meal. Food particles trapped in between your teeth and Invisalign put you at increased risk for cavities and bad breath.
Treatment limitations – As an orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is not always the most suitable treatment. Complex orthodontic cases may require more invasive or complicated treatments. An experienced and ethical orthodontist will inform you about the available treatment plans that would be effective in dealing with your condition.
What are the advantages of traditional braces?
Do you have a child who needs braces? Are you considering traditional braces over Invisalign? These are the wonderful advantages you or your child can enjoy with traditional metal braces:
Treatment versatility – The complexity of your case is of no consequence. Traditional braces have the ability to correct both dental and facial issues. Treatment usually utilizes anchors that are applied to the teeth with special medical-grade cement. A wire is threaded through these anchors to aid in the correction of your orthodontic issues.
Near-perfect results – The results achieved with braces are better than those achieved with Invisalign. They have more pull and can move the teeth to their correct position.
Shorter treatment period – The treatment time of traditional braces can be faster as they can move teeth simultaneously. A skilled and experienced orthodontist will be able to greatly improve the treatment time and effectiveness of traditional braces.
What are the disadvantages of traditional braces?
If you’re a dental patient or the parent of a dental patient, you may be wondering if traditional braces are the best option for your child’s orthodontic care. Traditional braces have been around for many years and remain one of the most popular methods of straightening teeth.
However, there are some disadvantages to traditional braces that you should consider before making a decision.
Visuals of dental braces – Some individuals are not fans of the look of traditional metal braces. The anchors, wires, and rubber bands can be off-putting to them. In young teens and adults, they can negatively affect self-esteem and make them more conscious of their appearance.
Difficult to maintain oral health and hygiene – With traditional braces, most patients find it troublesome to keep up with their oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing are more difficult due to the wire. However, maintaining your oral hygiene is a top priority to avoid staining and cavities.
Specialized diet – The initial week of treatment will require a special soft diet. Your teeth and jaw can be sore due to the tightened metal wire. Additionally, patients are warned to plan their meals to avoid damaging their braces. They should particularly avoid sticky foods.
Frequent dental consultations – Regular visits to the orthodontist are a staple of this treatment. You will need to come in to have your braces tightened and for your orthodontist to check the progress of treatment.
Final Thoughts
The treatment that better suits you will depend on your current condition and your treatment goals. If you want a discreet option that doesn’t require any dietary changes and has a shorter treatment time, then Invisalign may be right for you. However, if you have more serious alignment issues that need to be corrected, traditional braces may be a better choice. You should make informed decisions regarding your dental health. Give us a call at Magical Smiles today to learn more about Invisalign and find out which is a better option for you!
FAQs
Although not considered to be especially painful, Invisalign can leave your teeth feeling sore. This is especially true when you start wearing a new aligner.
When you stop wearing Invisalign, your teeth will shift back to their original positions. This will lead to issues with the fit of your current set of aligners.
In terms of condition, good candidates for Invisalign do not suffer from serious or complex dental issues, as these may require more advanced orthodontic treatment options. Patients must also be willing to strictly comply with the instructions given by their dentist or orthodontist. The success of the treatment relies heavily on patient compliance.
A lack of proper oral hygiene can lead to tooth staining even for patients using Invisalign treatment aligners. By acting as a barrier, removable orthodontic aligners isolate teeth from the mouth.
However, with dark food and beverages, your Invisalign and natural teeth may still experience some staining. This is why it is important to remove the aligners before eating or drinking and to take care of your oral health through proper brushing and flossing.