When it comes to straightening your teeth, there are more options on the market now than ever. Two of the most popular options are Invisalign and traditional braces. While neither is definitively better than the other, both have their own set of pros and cons.
\Invisalign and traditional braces are available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. We can help provide you with the best treatment for your unique case. Call us today at 620-317-0286 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Differences Between Braces & Invisalign®
Traditional Braces
While they both achieve the same result, braces and Invisalign have differences in their course of treatment. Braces have been the traditional form of treatment for decades. Today’s braces come in a variety of types, from tooth-colored ceramic to stainless steel and even gold-colored.
Many people who wear braces can choose colors to personalize their braces. Oral hygiene remains particularly important when wearing braces. Patients must practice good dental hygiene with frequent brushing and flossing to remove food debris so that bacteria does not cause inflamed, painful gums or damage tooth enamel.
Invisalign®
Developed in 2009, Invisalign has grown in popularity as an option for individuals who wish to correct dental issues such as gaps between teeth, crowded or crooked teeth, and an overbite or underbite. Invisalign Teen offers a nearly invisible way for teens to straighten their teeth without braces. Invisalign offers a series of clear, completely custom-made plastic aligners — called “trays” — that require no brackets or metal wires.
Patients receive a series of plastic trays throughout treatment that gradually shifts the teeth in the mouth to help them get the smile they desire. Oral hygiene is also important when wearing aligners. People must brush and floss before placing the aligners in their mouth and wash their aligners daily.
- While they both achieve the same result, they differ in their course of treatment.
Treatment Time
Though overall treatment time with Invisalign depends on the severity of the condition, most patients complete treatment within 10 to 24 months. However, patients with more misaligned bites or crooked teeth will likely need to wear their aligners for a more extended period. Some may also require further, smaller refinements for a few months after completing treatment. On the other hand, adults who had braces as children may complete treatment in around 10 weeks.
Similarly, treatment time with traditional braces will depend on various factors. These include the severity of the patient’s case, the amount of room inside their mouth, and how far their teeth must travel. It is also essential to consider how healthy the patient’s teeth, gums, and supporting bone are. On average, however, braces will typically remain in place for one to three years. In both cases, patients may extend their treatment time by not following instructions closely.
- …patients may extend their treatment time by not following instructions closely.
Effectiveness
Both Invisalign and traditional braces remain effective at straightening teeth, but differ in their approach. Metal braces rely on brackets, wires, and elastics to shift teeth. Once removing braces, most patients must wear a retainer every night to maintain straight teeth. If patients do not wear the retainer, their teeth may shift back to previous positions.
Invisalign uses removable plastic aligners throughout the treatment. As the teeth shift, new aligners are worn to continue treatment. Invisalign requires patients to wear their aligners for 20-22 hours a day, whereas braces require 24 hours a 24-hour-a-day commitment. Patients do not have to wear a retainer after the Invisalign course of treatment.
- Both Invisalign and traditional braces remain effective at straightening teeth but differ in their approach.
Eating
As stated by Healthline, patients should keep their Invisalign trays in their mouths for 20 to 22 hours per day. These trays should only be removed for eating, drinking anything that is not clear water, or performing their oral hygiene routines. Since Invisalign trays do not involve any wires or brackets, the treatment itself does not necessitate any dietary changes. However, patients should still brush their teeth before putting their aligners back on to prevent staining.
On the other hand, patients will need to adjust their diets while wearing braces. This is because the brackets are sensitive to damage, and patients must take care not to cause them to separate from the tooth. Thus, it is necessary to avoid any foods that are too hard, sticky, or chewy, such as popcorn, chewing gum, hard crackers, and more. It is also essential to limit sugary foods and drinks, as the combination of sugar and saliva may lead to an excess of plaque that is hard to remove.
Aesthetics
For many patients, one of the major selling points of Invisalign is its virtually invisible nature. Unlike traditional braces, they do not draw any attention to the teeth, making them appealing to teens, especially for senior pictures. Invisalign trays are also removable, which can come in handy for contact sports.
While Invisalign is a more discreet option to traditional braces, traditional braces can shift the teeth and jaw more precisely. On the other hand, Invisalign allows for less demineralization and root resorption than traditional braces — making patients less prone to discoloring or tooth shortening. In any case, all orthodontic devices have the potential to close any wide gaps between the teeth, straighten crooked teeth, and align the tooth tips.
- …all orthodontic devices have the potential to close any wide gaps between the teeth, straighten crooked teeth, and align the tooth tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Initial discomfort comes when placing and adjusting braces. The brackets and wires can also irritate sensitive mouth tissues and may cause the occasional mouth sore. The good news is, this is temporary. Once patients become accustomed to their braces and adjustments, the pain goes away. For the most part, Invisalign trays remain comfortable and custom-made to fit each individual's mouth. Some patients may experience initial discomfort when switching to a new set of aligners as the teeth shift into new positions.
A. The treatment time varies for each individual, depending on the issues that need to be corrected. For most patients, braces must be worn for 18-24 months. Invisalign treatment remains typically shorter, and many patients can achieve their desired results within 6-18 months, depending on each patient and the issues that need to be addressed.
A. When wearing braces, patients will need to refrain from eating certain foods and snacks, such as nuts, sticky foods, and gum. With Invisalign, no dietary restrictions apply. With trays removed when eating and drinking, no worries remain regarding damaging them with hard or sticky foods. Whether you opt for braces or Invisalign, you must brush your teeth at least twice daily and avoid food and drink high in sugar.
A. The cost of braces and Invisalign treatment varies, depending on the issue that needs correcting and the length of treatment time. Every insurance plan is different. Check with your insurance provider for coverage information before seeking treatment.
A. Patients with traditional braces usually see their braces provider about every four weeks for adjustment appointments. Invisalign wearers typically visit their Invisalign provider about every four to six weeks to ensure their treatment is progressing as planned. Invisalign appointments are quicker than traditional braces since there is no need for adjustment.
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Invisalign® Terminology
With Invisalign treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign process.
ClinCheck software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
An iTero Element scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign aligners.
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increase the speed of treatment, and apply a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.
Vivera retainers are a type of retainer that consists of clear plastic material and helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after a treatment.
Call Us Today
A beautiful smile is not just a matter of aesthetics — it can also greatly impact your oral health. Whether you need Invisalign or traditional braces, Smile Solutions can help. Call us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.