Invisalign Vs Braces

Mill Creek, WA

While most people cannot see them when you are quiet, your teeth are still an important part of your personality. And when they are not aligned, you miss out on your beautiful smile. But that’s not it. When your teeth are not aligned, you have difficulty chewing and cleaning your teeth as well. Fortunately, there are several solutions that you can try to align your teeth, including Invisalign and braces.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of Invisalign vs. braces so you can decide on which one is better for your teeth.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Invisalign are Transparent

Perhaps the most appealing characteristic of Invisalign is that they are clear aligners. If you are self-conscious about your smile with braces, with Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about your smile in photographs.

They are Removable

Another advantage of Invisalign over braces is that they are removable. You can take the clear aligners out to eat. Moreover, since the clear aligner is removable, you can continue to maintain oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing as you did earlier.

Faster Results

Invisalign treatments are usually shorter than braces. On average, it takes between six to eighteen months to align your teeth. However, the exact duration depends on the type of correction needed, and only the orthodontist can tell you about the expected results and duration of treatment specific to you.

Less Visits to the Dental Office

Unlike braces, with Invisalign, you don’t have to visit the dentist every month. Instead, you can schedule an appointment once every six to eight weeks.

However, Invisalign is costlier than braces. Moreover, they are only effective for mild to moderate misalignment issues, and they are not suitable for extremely crooked teeth.

Pros and Cons of Braces

Braces Can Correct All Types of Teeth

Braces offer a comprehensive treatment plan for all types of teeth. Whether you have minor issues or you have multiple, complicated problems along with unaligned teeth, braces are a perfect solution for all of your orthodontic problems.

However, braces come with a unique set of challenges.

You Cannot Remove Your Braces

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage associated with braces is that you cannot remove them. The issue can be quite challenging for patients, especially younger kids, as it is a long treatment plan.

Moreover, when you cannot remove your braces, it poses several challenges in maintaining good oral hygiene and can lead to other dental problems such as cavities.

Restrictions on What You Can Eat and Drink

Since cleaning your teeth can be a challenge with braces, there are restrictions on what you can eat and drink. With braces, you should avoid sticky and hard food as it can damage the components of your braces.

More Frequent Visits to the Dental Office

When you get braces, you need to visit the dental office once every month so the orthodontist can assess the progress and make adjustments to your braces every month.

Remember that it takes an average of two years to align your teeth, and it can even take longer for more complicated alignment issues. So wearing braces can be painful at times when adjustments are made.