Invisalign vs. Braces, Which is Best for You?

With the advancement of modern technology, there are various ways to improve your dental health. Orthodontic care can be daunting for many, and with more treatment options on the market, there is access to care that wasn’t previously available. Now patients have a choice of orthodontic appliances to suit their lifestyle.

Braces are still a great choice for many patients, and for others we have Invisalign clear aligners. We can work with you to decide which orthodontic treatment program is best for you.

When pursuing orthodontic care, an important choice for patients is…braces or Invisalign? Each option offers specific benefits, and we here at Jennifer Martin Orthodontics are equipped and trained to provide both.

Wearing Braces or Invisalign

Braces and Invisalign both require some maintenance and compliance from the wearer. Braces are permanently attached to the teeth, and therefore do not need to be replaced or withdrawn on a daily basis. Braces require less discipline from the wearer, since they don’t need to be removed in order to eat or brush your teeth. Patients still need to be committed to brushing their teeth properly.

Invisalign, however, must be worn all the time in order to move your teeth to the proper position. It’s only removed in order to eat or drink anything besides water. A patient needs to be fully committed to wearing their aligners for the treatment to work. Invisalign aligners must be worn on average of 22 hours day, so if you tend to stray from the rules, or resist being told what to do, Invisalign may not be for you.

Braces require new hardware quite periodically, which means there are more frequent trips to the orthodontists than with Invisalign therapy.

Food Restrictions with Braces and Invisalign

With braces, the wearer can be restricted from sticky foods, such as caramels, or hard foods, like nuts. Wires may snap or poke out, and brackets may break. These incidents can require emergency visits to the orthodontist. With a healthy diet and smart food choices, that can be avoided.  In general, braces may require more unexpected maintenance apart from routine care.

Invisalign requires stricter compliance. You must remove your aligners each time you eat or drink anything besides water. Snacking will be more difficult (many see this as a benefit!), and it is necessary to thoroughly brush and floss each time you consume food and beverages.

The Benefits of Braces

Braces are attached to your teeth and that’s that! For teenagers, busy adults, and children, braces require the least amount of thought and effort. You may have the occasional poking wire or broken bracket, but it’s an easy fix and when it’s done it’s done.

Braces nowadays don’t necessarily mean a heavy “metal mouth”. They’re lightweight, less intrusive, and easier to put in and take out than the traditional mouthful of metal that we’re used to thinking of when we think of braces.

The Benefits of Invisalign

One of the major benefits to Invisalign, especially in adults, is that they’re virtually invisible. The hardware is lightweight, invisible, and removable. Because Invisalign is fitted to your teeth, there are no wires poking into your mouth or gums.

Invisalign are more comfortable than metal braces, and easier to remove for the sake of eating or cleaning. There are no wires or brackets to poke lose or break, which means less emergency visits to the orthodontist.

There are pros and cons to any treatment program designed to better improve your smile and health. We here at Jennifer Martin Orthodontics are available to help you sift through your options and assist in finding the best fit for you. Call and make an appointment at our Pleasant Hill, CA office today!

 

 

8 Responses to Invisalign vs. Braces, Which is Best for You?

Conrad O'Connor says:

It's cool that you mention that Invisalign treatment offers a much more comfortable way to straighten your teeth than wearing metal braces. I've been thinking about straightening my teeth lately, so I should probably talk to an orthodontist about Invisalign. I'm going to look for a good orthodontist in my area who does Invisalign treatment.
https://www.moriczorthodontics.com/invisalign/

Rosie Beckett says:

My little sister has been self-conscious about the gap in her two front teeth ever since she started middle school last year, and she is thinking about getting Invisalign to give her more confidence in her smile. It is great to know that Invisalign is invisible and removable. This way she won't feel as nervous to wear them at school because they aren't very noticeable. https://shinedentalteam.com/services/invisalign-clear-braces

Jonathan Hansen says:

It's cool that you elaborate on the fact that Invisalign is much more comfortable to wear than metal braces. I have been thinking about straightening my teeth lately, so I want to try Invisalign. I'm going to search for a good dental clinic in my area that does Invisalign treatment.
https://www.sardiniadental.com/invisalign/

Bob Newton says:

It's interesting that you mention that Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth without having to wear metal wires on them. I have been wanting to have straight teeth for years, so I'm considering trying Invisalign treatment. I'm going to search for a good dental clinic in my area that offers Invisalign treatment.
https://www.bestbethesdasmile.com/invisalign

Rachel Frampton says:

I've always been insecure about my crooked teeth, which is why I'm thinking of wearing an Invisalign instead. I'm glad you shared this; I'll make sure to remove it before meals. You're also right about the importance of flossing and brushing, especially after food consumption. http://www.stillwaterdental.com/our-services/invisalign/

Fred Gibbons says:

It's interesting that you mention that Invisalign is a much more comfortable way to straighten your teeth than wearing traditional braces. I want to get straight teeth without experiencing unnecessary discomfort, so I'm thinking about going to a dental clinic for Invisalign treatment. I'm going to search for a good dental clinic in my area that offers Invisalign.
http://www.waterforddentalhealth.com/procedures/invisalign%C2%AE/

rachel frampton says:

I have been stressing out because of my crooked teeth; that's why I've been thinking to resort to Invisalign. I'm glad you stated here that Invisalign must be worn for 22 hours. I'd also make sure to remove my aligners every time I will eat and drink. https://www.galesvilledental.com/services/#_invisalign

Gerty Gift says:

Thank you for bringing up that it is important to wear Invisalign for an average of 22 hours every day. I'm really interested in getting some Invisalign for myself instead of braces to help correct my tooth alignment. I didn't realize that it needed to be in that long, but I'll just have to resolve to wear them as much as possible. Thank you for the heads up! https://www.adelaidesmilecentre.com.au/invisalign

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