Appearance
The main difference between braces and Invisalign is appearance. Invisalign is practically invisible, while metal braces are more noticeable.
Invisalign trays are made of clear plastic, while braces are metal. Some kids enjoy picking out different colored bands for braces, but Invisalign is generally preferred for its appearance. If you are someone that wants your teeth alignment to be discreet, Invisalign is the superior choice.
Affordable
That’s the good news. Invisalign is actually an affordable tooth-straightening option. Invisalign is more affordable than you might think, with dental insurance and payment plans making it easier to correct misaligned teeth. Meet with your Invisalign-trained doctor for an assesment, they’ll help you figure out costs and which payment terms work best.
Comfort
Teeth straightening can be uncomfortable, but usually gets tolerable over time. Invisalign is usually more comfortable than braces, because they don’t press as hard on teeth and don’t have harsh edges that can cut the inside of the lip and tongue. If you or your child play sports, metal braces can be dangerous if there’s any type of contact.
Effectiveness
Braces have been used to straighten teeth and beautify smiles for years. The challenge with Invisalign is that the trays are removable, so patients may not always comply with the suggested time of use. If you forget or misplace the trays, your teeth are going to shift while you are not wearing them.
Invisalign may take longer to straighten teeth than traditional braces, especially if the patient does not wear the trays as often as recommended. Invisalign also may not work for teeth that are severely misaligned or rotated. If you are concerned about whether Invisalign could work for you, you can book a free consultation.
Convenience
Invisalign is convenient when you want to eat your favorite foods, but remembering to take out the trays and store them securely is often overlooked. Since Invisalign aligners are smooth and lack any sharp edges, you don’t have to worry about getting any painful nicks or cuts in your mouth.
Care and Cleaning
Cleaning your teeth is important regardless of whether you have braces or Invisalign. With braces, you can brush and floss normally, but you may need to use a smaller brush to clean if food gets stuck in the metal. With Invisalign, brushing and flossing is the same, but you need to clean the trays after each meal. You can use warm water to rinse and brush or a special Invisalign cleaning solution.
It can be a hassle to clean the crevices of Invisalign trays, especially if you’re away from home. Without proper cleaning, there can be a build-up of bacteria or solid food. So be diligent about oral health and don’t forget to brush and floss!
Follow-Up and Post-Treatment
Regular orthodontic appointments are recommended whether you have braces or Invisalign. For braces, this usually means about every month and for Invisalign every 4-6 weeks. Once you have completed your treatment with braces you will be required to wear a retainer of some kind (usually just at night) to ensure the teeth maintain their position. Without that, you risk your teeth moving back to the way they were before.
Invisalign also requires that you wear a tray at night once your treatment is complete.
