Improve your beautiful smile with Invisalign (known as invisible braces) clear aligner therapy or traditional metal braces! In comparing Invisalign vs. braces, both treatment options offer specific benefits and drawbacks. Various factors will help you determine which treatment plan suits you best, from cost to comfort to maintenance.
At Wince Family Dental Associates, We will explain your orthodontic treatment options in detail before suggesting the right plan for your specific orthodontic issues.
Treatment Cost
In general traditional braces cost less than Invisalign. However, potential patients who compare prices will discover significant overlap in the pricing.
Standard braces typically cost between $2,500 and $8,000, whereas the Invisalign cost runs between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the severity of a patient’s crowded or gaped teeth. If a patient requires several sets of Invisalign trays it will increase the price of Invisalign treatment.
Several types of braceSeveral types of braces are available, such as lingual and ceramic braces, which are less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Ceramic braces, however, are generally more expensive.
Comfort
Invisalign patients praise the overall comfort of clear aligner therapy over more traditional forms of orthodontic treatment, especially if they’ve had braces in the past. The smooth plastic of Invisalign trays doesn’t cause cuts and sores like metal brackets and rubber bands.
Also, Invisalign uses less force to straighten your teeth than traditional braces. However, any time a dentist works on tooth movement, it is common to experience discomfort.
Aesthetics
When it comes to aesthetics, Invisalign beats traditional braces rather handily. Most observers won’t even notice that thatt you are wearing Invisalign trays. But, metal braces are noticeable whenever someone opens their mouth. Most teenagers and adults prefer the discreet treatment option of Invisalign over wearing colorful rubber bands on traditional brackets.
Ceramic and lingual braces provide a more aesthetically pleasing option compared to traditional metal braces. Ceramic braces mimic the color of your natural teeth, making them appear less prominent. However, you will still see the archwire. Lingual braces go on the inside of your teeth and remain out of view unless someone takes a good look inside of your mouth.
Duration of Treatment
When worn as directed, Invisalign works almost as well as standard braces. However, some patients fail to wear their Invisalign trays for the recommended 20 – 22 hours per day. These patients often experience longer treatment times because their teeth start to shift back to their original position. Even when worn correctly, Invisalign does work a little slower due to the lighter pressure applied. Invisalign treatment duration is not longer than braces and wires, and it is much faster. The typical metal wire and bracket average treatment time is 2 years. Most Invisalign cases have a shorter treatment time of 12 months.
Another important thing to remember about Invisalign involves the type of dental issues it can fix. Invisalign only works for mild to moderate dental misalignments, such as crooked teeth. Standard braces can resolve almost any bite issue. Ask your orthodontist whether Invisalign can work for you.
Maintenance
Maintaining your oral health represents a main priority regardless of whether you wear braces or Invisalign. Patients who brush and floss their teeth after every meal will have a little more difficulty with their oral hygiene routine if they wear braces. Many patients find it hard to brush around the brackets and must use a floss threader between every pair of teeth.
Invisalign trays require maintenance, too, however. After eating and drinking, food particles can build up inside the trays and require removal. So, Invisalign patients must brush their teeth and the trays themselves. Still, Invisalign requires less maintenance than conventional braces.
Foods that are hard or sticky have the potential to loosen the brackets or break the wires of braces. It is important to avoid such foods to maintain the integrity of the braces and ensure effective treatment.
Time Investment
The time investment for Invisalign and braces remains about the same. Braces require a monthly visit to the orthodontist for observation and adjustments. Invisalign patients need to pick up new trays once about every four to six weeks.
Payment Methods
Dentists usually offer flexible payment options for Invisalign treatment to their patients. Our friendly staff at Wince Family Dental arrange flexible payment plans for our patients, which they can pay using various standard payment methods.
Invisalign vs Braces: Who Wins?
Trying to decide a winner in the battle of Invisalign vs. braces proves impossible. It depends entirely on your budget, expectations, diligence, and the type of dental issues you want to fix. Braces represent more of a foolproof solution because patients can’t take them off or lose them. Invisalign offers a lot more freedom and flexibility during orthodontic treatment.
At Wince Family Dental, we will explore all possible solutions to your specific dental issues and allow you to choose between all viable treatment options.