Invisalign vs Braces – Pros & Cons & Price
We all wish to have the perfect teeth that make for a winning smile, but, alas, things don’t always turn out the way we want. Sometimes there may be gaps in the gums that strip the confidence of our grins. Or it could be that the teeth are so misaligned that they even keep us from eating normally. A slew of wires and brackets are available to help solve the problem and it’s easy for people to get lost in the decision-making process. Invisalign vs braces – which one is better and which one causes less discomfort? We feel like we need to provide more details about each one right away. Let’s go.
Traditional Braces
When there is extra space between your teeth or they are too crowded, the best orthodontic treatment to undergo is placing metal braces. They work in small chunks at a time, which allows painless tooth movement over a period of months.
Advantages
- Metal braces are suitable for serious dental conditions such as extreme overcrowding.
- You can’t really lose them.
Disadvantages
- Once you put them on, you can’t take them off whenever you wish. Only a dentist can remove them.
- The above fact makes brushing the teeth, eating and drinking a real challenge.
- There is a greater risk of plaque and decay formation. The reason for this is that it’s difficult to get rid of all food particles that get trapped between your teeth and the braces.
- You need to avoid certain foods like soft candies, crunchy foods, and caramels that can damage the device.
- The results are often unpredictable.
- You should visit your dentist occasionally for any adjustments that need to be made to the braces.
- You might need to wear the device over the course of five years to complete the treatment.
- Conventional braces come with protruding metal bits and edges that can scratch the gums and the inside of the mouth.
- When you finally have them taken off, you will have to wear aligners for a few more months to maintain the results. The lack of support will quite possibly move your teeth back to their original position and this will undo the treatment.
Important note: People who have braces should wash and floss their teeth on the regular to avoid staining. There are special brushes designated to help you reach all difficult areas and crevices in the device.
Who makes a good candidate?
The perfect candidate is someone who has the following conditions:
- Overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite
- Misaligned teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
Invisalign Retainers
Invisalign is a brand that offers invisible, or clear, aligners that are made of BPA-free plastic. There are several reasons why people choose this device over conventional options, but the main one is aesthetics.
Advantages of Invisalign vs braces
- Invisalign products can be easily taken off for short periods of time. This makes eating and drinking a lot more comfortable.
- The aligners are not visible and therefore they don’t make your smile look unsightly or awkward.
- They are efficient for various conditions including crossbite, overbite, widely spaced teeth, crowded teeth, simple bite irregularities, and mild relapse.
- The Invisalign treatment will last up to a year and a half depending on your specific condition, whereas metal braces can take years to work their magic.
- Clear aligners don’t have anything that can puncture the gums.
- Invisalign gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly what is to come. With the help of a fully computerised treatment plan, you can tell how much time you’ll be wearing the aligners before you even put them on. In comparison, with metal braces, you never really know how long it’s going to take for the treatment to work and whether it will be efficient at all.
Where is the product at a disadvantage then?
- Invisalign is not able to treat serious conditions such as complex malocclusions.
- The price is steep. It can fluctuate anywhere between $3,500 and $8,000. However, compared to the cost of other types of braces, it’s not that high after all.
- The invisible retainers should be worn 22 hours per day for maximum results. This means you can only take them off when eating and performing your oral health routine.
- It takes getting used to the aligners. Some people might find it hard to speak. The device causes extra bulk in the back of the teeth, which may lead to a speech impediment. Luckily, the problem resolves a couple of weeks after wearing the device.
- You may forget to put them back on after eating. You may even lose them.
Who is a good candidate?
The ideal candidate is someone who will be fully compliant and dedicated to the treatment. If you are not determined to wear the retainers for 22 hours straight day in and day out, then it just won’t work. The aligners are perfect for adults and older teenagers, but they won’t be efficient for children whose teeth are still growing.
People with bruxism are advised against this treatment because it may aggravate their grinding problems. Since the Invisalign aligners need to be worn overnight, this will obstruct the use of the bruxism splint. Without it, the symptoms of the condition will probably worsen.
So, Is Invisalign Better Than Braces?
It depends on what you want to treat and the budget you can allocate. If you suffer from a mild condition, using clear aligners will achieve faster results without compromising on aesthetics. However, it can still cause some discomfort.
All things considered, your doctor will recommend the best treatment options after doing the necessary examinations and asking you a bunch of questions.
