If you are planning to go to the dentist to have your teeth aligned, then probably by now, a lot of questions are already raising in your mind as to which type of treatment to go for. Should you choose traditional braces, or would Invisalign be the better option for you? Which is more affordable and effective? And ultimately, which of these treatments will give the desired smile?
We invite you to read further as we are going to make a comparison of Invisalign vs. conventional braces and have the information that you need to help you make the right decision.
The Basics
Braces have long been used as dental treatment for aligning teeth. Essentially, this procedure is based on the mechanical and biologic principle of applying constant mild pressure to the patient’s periodontal ligament with the use of rubber bands and metal wires. This pressure creates compression of the ligament which leads to bone resorption on one surface and tension of ligament which leads to bone generation in the opposite surface. This ultimately leads to tooth movement.
In the same way, Invisalign is also based on this principle, but the only difference is that it makes use of BPA-free clear plastic as aligner trays that can be worn invisibly (hence, the name).
Which Teeth Aligning Treatment Will Be The Best Choice For You?
While both procedures are designed to straighten teeth, braces and Invisalign have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
So in this section, we are going to tackle these details in order to further assess the difference of choosing one treatment over the other in our Invisalign vs. conventional braces comparison chart below:
Invisalign: | Conventional Braces: | |
Movability | Removable | Fixed |
Materials | BPA-Free clear plastic | Metal wires and brackets metallic or porcelain color, rubber bands |
Treatment Time | Must be worn 22 to 24 hours/day for the next 6 to 8 months. | Must be worn at all times for the next 2 years or depending on the needs of the patient. |
Cleaning And Maintenance | Conventional brushing and easy use of floss. | Conventional brushing, more challenging and time consuming to floss under the wires. |
Follow Up Visits To The Dentist | Aligner should be changed every 2 weeks while visits are done every 4 weeks. | Visits should be done every 4 weeks . |
Not Recommended For | Persons with bridgework, back tooth bite problems, premolars or canine rotation, moving teeth vertically, and for those who lack the discipline to keep the trays for most of the time during the day. | Persons who are into rough contact sports. |
Advantages | Invisible, removable, food does not get caught inside the tray, no issues with eating, no pain or discomfort from wires. | Ideal for complex alignment issues; less self-discipline required to be effective as you won’t be able to remove it; only requires brushing and flossing and you’re good to go. |
Disadvantages | Discomfort from movement of the tooth; should be removed before eating; should brush after eating to prevent the tray from staining. Finally, compliance is a big factor in the success of the treatment. | Ulcers from brackets, wires, and movement of tooth; discoloration of the tooth; food restrictions. |
Overall:
At the end of the day, considering Invisalign vs. conventional braces will depend on the severity of the case, duration of treatment, compliance of patient and finally cost. So we hope that all the information that we have shared here will lead you to the right treatment.