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If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, you might find yourself trying to choose between two orthodontic treatment options: Invisalign® or braces. While both are designed to provide a straighter smile over time, they have their fair share of differences.
Finding the right orthodontic treatment for you can depend on certain factors, like your age and the level of correction you need. There are several pros and cons of both Invisalign and braces, and choosing one over the other may come down to what you feel most comfortable with.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a custom-fit set of removable, clear aligners that can gradually straighten a patient’s teeth. The aligners are composed of SmartTrack, a patented soft, flexible plastic.
The constant pressure that Invisalign aligners put on a person's teeth causes the bone to gradually break down and rebuild in the direction of the pressure. This provides a "virtually invisible" alternative to conventional brackets and wires.
However, the benefits of Invisalign go beyond that. Let’s go over some of them:
Aesthetics
Braces are made up of tiny brackets with bands fitted and fastened to wires. The brackets can be clear, silver, the color of your teeth, or a variety of other colors, but they’re highly visible. Lingual braces are a type of brace that is affixed to the back of your teeth to make them less noticeable if you are concerned about appearance.
On the other hand, Invisalign is almost unnoticeable, which is why many adults prefer this treatment option.
Comfort
Your cheeks and other soft tissues may experience pain and discomfort from traditional braces, particularly during the first few weeks of treatment and following adjustments.
Clear aligners are made out of plastic, so they don’t cause pain, but they may also take some time to get used to. After starting treatment, patients may experience excessive salivation and lisp when speaking.
Effectiveness and Speed of Straightening
Invisalign and braces are both effective orthodontic treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Braces work better in more complicated cases, while Invisalign is usually used to treat mild to moderate dental issues.
Because of that, Invisalign involves shorter treatment times, like 12 to 18 months. Fixed braces, on the other hand, frequently take one to two years to start working. The duration, however, depends on several factors.
Oral Hygiene
You should brush your teeth after every meal or snack and, if you wear braces, floss every day to prevent tooth decay. Because the wires prevent you from passing the string between your teeth, this final step can be challenging. Your dentist may recommend using an interdental brush to get into all the crevices.
However, those who use clear aligners to straighten their teeth have lower rates of gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay.
Eating and Drinking
You must stay away from foods like apples, carrots, popcorn, and nuts if you have braces because they can cause damage or stick to the brackets.
However, clear aligners like Invisalign are detachable, so you can simply remove them while eating or drinking. Just make sure to brush and floss before putting them back on them to prevent dental decay.
Opt for Invisalign Over Braces in Fort Worth
Braces and Invisalign can both straighten teeth, enhance smiles, and address common dental issues like underbite or overbite. However, if wearing braces makes you feel self-conscious, you might prefer Invisalign.
A more discrete orthodontic device can be more attractive, especially as an adult. Reach out to Silver Sage Family Dentistry to learn more!
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
