By Gentle Touch Dentistry Richardson
Dental braces are orthodontic treatments serving to straighten your misaligned teeth. They are custom-made for you to give you the best fitting. On the other hand, Invisalign is responsible for straightening your teeth without the use of traditional braces. But have you ever wondered which one’s better? Get to know if braces or Invisalign is the best solution for you.
Treatment Duration
For Invisalign, the duration of treatment requires over 20-24 sets of aligners. Each aligner is replaced after every two weeks. Whereas braces usually need 12-18 months to correct your smile.
Cleaning Teeth
In this context, Invisalign aligners are more convenient to clean as they are removable. However, for braces, the cleaning process is a bit complex. For aligners, you can remove them and clean them with a toothbrush and antimicrobacterial wash. But for braces, you can brush and floss normally, but it will require frequent dental visits.
Aesthetic
Invisalign aligners are more effective and aesthetic in comparison to braces. Since they are virtually invisible, Invisalign aligners help in enhancing your appearance. In braces, your appearance is better because they are visible on your teeth.
Comfort
Braces are comparatively more uncomfortable than Invisalign aligners. The brackets of the braces are often problematic and often cause discomfort. Invisalign aligners are comfortable because they are custom-made for your teeth, making the fitting of the aligners very comfortable.
Cost Efficiency
A typical Invisalign aligner would require replacement every two weeks in the initial phase. But when it comes to braces, you can keep them the same. In general, braces cost around $1,800 to $5,500. However, the estimated cost of braces depends on the duration of treatment and the severity of your tooth. Invisalign normally costs around $5,000 as it involves 3D printing technology for making them. Although Invisalign is slightly more expensive than metal braces, the end result and appearance of your teeth becomes more pleasing.
Emergency Visit
Dental emergencies are inevitable and can also happen if you have dental appliances. For Invisalign, it requires fewer emergency visits. On the contrary, emergency visits for braces are more frequent. Because of braces, there is a possibility of poking wires that often become loose during treatment. Thus, getting Invisalign is always the feasible solution for avoiding emergency visits.
Tooth Movement
If you have severely crooked teeth, then braces are the best solution. Both braces and Invisalign are perfect for complex tooth movements. But if you have mild or moderate teeth alignment, then Invisalign aligners are the best solution. Aligners are suitable for minor tooth rotations or tipping movements.
Appointment Interval
After getting aligners, the appointment interval is comparatively less than braces. You need to visit the dentist every 4-8 weeks for braces. Whereas for Invisalign aligners, you must see them every 2-3 months.
The Bottom Line
Undeniably, both Invisalign and braces tend to help straighten teeth. Both of them serve the purpose of restoring your smile effectively. However, most dentists have stated that Invisalign is better than braces, simply because of its convenience, comfort and aesthetics. It applies especially to people who have severely crooked and misaligned teeth. However, if you have mild or moderate misaligned teeth, Invisalign is the best solution. The choice of these orthodontic appliances depends on the condition of your teeth, which a dentist can only understand. Visit your dentist and get to know the best treatment option for you.
