Braces / Invisalign

Braces / Invisalign Treatment

Many people have the embarrassing issue of crooked or crowded teeth. One of the most obvious solutions for the orthodontic problem is to get braces, but with more and more teens and even adults needing their teeth straightened, there is another option known as Invisalign. Invisalign is a clear set of hard plastic aligners that are fitted for your mouth. They must be checked and replaced over the course of the first couple of months while they work at aligning your teeth into proper position. Invisalign is a preferred choice for adults and teens because they are practically invisible due to being clear. However, as with all things, there are both pros and cons to using Invisalign. It’s important to know all the details before you decide to get fitted with the aligners at your dentist’s or orthodontist’s.

Appearance
The biggest difference between braces and Invisalign is appearance, and Invisalign is going to win this category every time. Invisalign is virtually undetectable while typical metal braces are more noticeable.
Invisalign trays are made from a clear plastic material whereas braces are metal. Some kids enjoy picking out different colored bands for metal braces, but for the most part children and adults alike prefer the appearance of Invisalign.
Effectiveness
Braces have been used to straighten teeth and beautify smiles for years. Braces cannot be removed by the patient and therefore they have to wear them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as is recommended by the orthodontist.
The challenge with Invisalign is that the trays are removable, so patients may not always comply with the suggested time of use. Moreover, if you forget or misplace the trays, your teeth are going to shift while you are not wearing them
People with Invisalign generally wear the trays less than the recommended amount which can lengthen the total time it takes to complete treatment.
Care and Cleaning
Cleaning your teeth should be a priority regardless of whether you have braces or Invisalign. Typically the cleaning process is easier with braces because you can brush and floss normally. However, if there is food stuck in the metal you may need to use a smaller brush to clean.
With Invisalign brushing and flossing is the same, but there is some additional effort required to keep the trays clean. Each time you eat you should clean the trays. You can use warm water to rinse and brush or a special Invisalign cleaning solution.
Follow-Up and Post-Treatment
Regular orthodontic appointments are recommended whether you have braces or Invisalign. For braces, this usually means about every month and for Invisalign every 4-6 weeks.
Once you have completed your treatment with braces you will be required to wear a retainer of some kind (usually just at night) to ensure the teeth maintain their position. Without that, you risk your teeth moving back to the way they were before. Invisalign also requires that you wear a tray at night once your treatment is complete.