Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Is Right For You?

If you are trying to find a way to straighten your teeth, you might have already started a Google quest and come across two orthodontic treatment alternatives: braces or Invisalign. Whilst both are customized to offer a straighter smile with time, they do have a fair share of differences.

Making the right choice between braces and Invisalign will require you to visit an orthodontist and it can be dependent on specific elements like the level of correction you need and your age. Of course, there are numerous pros and cons of both braces and Invisalign and picking one over the other might come down to what you feel better about. Below is everything you need to know about braces and Invisalign.

What Are Braces?

Dr. Roland Zhuka explains that traditional braces feature brackets, which are secured to the teeth and connected via special wires. How they work is by the wires and brackets moving little by little and straightening the teeth by putting pressure on them over a period of time. Dr. Zhuka says that the brackets and wire put pressure on tooth ligaments and stretch them so they can influence their position. In order for progress to be made, braces are continuously adjusted in the dental clinic.

Types Of Braces And How They Work

Truth be told, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of braces are the traditional metal ones, yet, they aren’t the only type out there.

Metal And Ceramic Braces

Two are the most commonly used varieties of braces: metal and ceramic. The former are generally made from stainless steel, while the latter are created in such a way that they can easily blend in with the natural teeth color. The two types are connected by specific wires that are kept in place with the use of rubber bands. You can match and mix the colors of the bands at every orthodontic visit to individualize your look.

Prior to getting braces, you will have to undergo a comprehensive dental examination and X-ray images will need to be taken, according to Dr. Zhuka. An orthodontist will secure the brackets to the teeth with the use of bonding adhesive, will thread a wire through slots in the brackets, and will then maintain the wire and brackets in place using rubber bands.

Lingual Braces

Au contraire to traditional ceramic and metal braces, lingual braces are glued to the back of the teeth, and they are an optimal alternative for those individuals who are not huge fans of aligners or the ugly looks of traditional braces. As per Dr. Roland Zhuka, lingual braces still employ brackets and wires- and while yes, they offer incredible aesthetic advantages, he warns that they have quite drawbacks too. One of them is the fact that several patients struggle with this kind of treatment seeing as they can cause sores and make speaking really difficult. He adds that Invisalign is probably the main reason why people don’t choose this type of treatment.

Yet, lingual braces are an amazing treatment alternative for busy professionals who aren’t huge believers in being compliant with clear aligners but do not want the look of traditional braces, either.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are similar to traditional ceramic and metal braces. Nevertheless, rather than using elastic bands for the wire holding, they have what Dr. Roland Zhuka describes as built-in metal doors, which open and close in order to keep the wire connected. Dr. Zhuka notes that there is no apparent difference in outcome or experience for the patient, and the use of these is thoroughly based on the dental practitioner’s preference.

Dr. Roland Zhuka says that any orthodontic appliance moves teeth through a controlled procedure of breaking down the existing alveolar bone (namely, the bone that sustains the teeth) and rebuilds the bone in an appropriate position.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a special brand of removable clear aligners that are customized and tailor-made to eventually straighten a person’s teeth. The aligners are created of a soft and flexible plastic and they do not utilize traditional wires and brackets, differently from braces. The set is virtually invisible. 

The full Invisalign treatment plan involves an assessment with an Invisalign dental practitioner, who is the one creating a custom treatment plan to straighten your teeth.

How Invisalign Works

Whenever they are worn, Invisalign aligners apply continuous pressure to teeth, eventually breaking down and rebuilding bone in the orientation of the pressure. 

To commence the whole process, you will have to visit an orthodontist who is certified and experienced in Invisalign (note that any general orthodontist can become certified) in order to get an accurate 3D digital scan of the teeth, which is then used to create an individualized treatment plan.

Typically, Invisalign uses some tiny ridges (glued to some teeth), namely, attachments. These attachments are three-dimensional and they are crucial to accomplishing success. Furthermore, the aligners have certain corresponding bumps that are built into the plastic to engage with the attachment on the teeth, producing very specific pressure systems. Though moving teeth without attachments is an option, when you decide not to use them, you will lose a lot of control and predictability. And even though attachments are tooth-colored resin glued to the teeth, aligners can still be removed.

In spite of the fact that aligners are supposed to be worn 20 to 22 hours per day, they can be removed whenever you would like to drink or eat something. A set of aligners is typically worn for one to two weeks prior to being switched out for a brand-new set. Undoubtedly, the new set of aligners will feel a little painful and uncomfortable in the initial days of wearing them, considering that there is a controlled pressure being applied to move teeth.

Dr. Roland Zhuka notes that individuals who are looking for less correction might not need attachments, and treatment might not be fully done within three to six months. Nevertheless, his recommendation is to use the attachments, underlining them as the reason for accomplishing the same treatment with Invisalign as they can with traditional braces. Keep in mind that more complicated instances can take approximately two years.

Invisalign vs. Braces: Which Is Better?

Trying to make a decision on whether you’re choosing braces or Invisalign, can be hard, and it’s ultimately a personal one. According to Dr. Roland Zhuka, there isn’t really a treatment option that is better- as a matter of fact, the only better choice is the one that most allows patients to enjoy their treatment experience. His recommendation is to discuss the pros and cons with your dentist in order to pick the treatment most appropriate for you.

If you are in search of a solution that provides a wide majority of bite and smile problems and is one of the most outstanding options for those wanting comfort, and aesthetics and are able to handle the responsibility, then you might wanna opt for Invisalign. On the other hand, if you are looking for a proven and true solution that has been used for over 100 years to solve even the most complex malocclusion (meaning, teeth that aren’t aligned right), then you gotta opt for traditional braces.

Clear aligners are the better option for those who aren’t experiencing complicated dental problems and are looking to straighten their teeth in a more invisible way. They are optimal for individuals who feel that they can handle the right responsibility to care for and keep track of their aligners, and for those people who are in search of quicker results.

In comparison, traditional braces are a much better solution for those individuals who aren’t all that responsible and don’t wanna deal with removing and replacing the aligners (cue, the young kids). They can be a better alternative for people who experience more complicated dental problems.

In the end, both traditional braces and Invisalign have been proven to be efficacious when it comes to straightening teeth. The cost is quite comparable as well. To choose between the two, have a talk with your dentist about which alternative might be a better fit for your needs and smile.

The Bottom Line

Any clear aligners, including Invisalign, are quite attractive and pleasant teeth-straightening alternatives. However, for several people who need a much more severe correction or even kids who don’t have the proper self-discipline to keep it on for 20+ hours per day, traditional braces can be a better solution.

The length of treatment and cost for both Invisalign and traditional braces depends entirely on the degree of correction needed. Though there exist strategies for cost savings such as at-home clear aligners or sometimes, dental insurance might aid in mitigating the costs. People being stuck on which one to choose between these strategies for much straighter teeth should have a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist to comprehend whether aligners or braces are the best fit for them.