Braces and Invisalign are popular options to straighten your teeth and improve your oral health.
Braces work by placing metal brackets on your teeth and tying them together with wires and small rubber bands. Orthodontists tighten the brackets over time for a straighter smile.
Invisalign uses clear plastic aligner trays worn over the teeth. Dental professionals use X-rays to create a precise 3-D image of your teeth. Custom aligners are then created from the images specifically to straighten your teeth.
Which one is a better option for you?
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about Invisalign and braces so you can make an informed decision for yourself.
Facts About Metal Braces
If you have issues with your back teeth, you may have no choice but to use metal braces. The same goes if you need to move your teeth vertically. Speak with an orthodontist you trust to get information specific to your teeth.
Braces are perfect for children as their teeth have not permanently settled yet. Follow proper dental care for your child for healthy teeth and ask your child’s dentist for a recommendation.
Here are some advantages that metal braces deliver.
Cost of Braces
The price of braces varies from patient to patient who each possess their own unique issues. Generally speaking, though, metal braces typically cost between $2000 and $6,000.
Braces are Irremovable
Metal braces are ideal for anyone looking for the least amount of required work. No need to worry about changing or losing your trays.
Braces are applied by your orthodontist and they don’t come off until your teeth are perfect.
Treatment Term
The term for treatment is often shorter for people with braces simply because they are irremovable.
Patients wear the braces around the clock for two years on average. There’s no temptation to take off the braces so they are always on. Braces are perfect for anyone lacking self-discipline who would have trouble keeping the Invisalign aligners on.
Maintenance
Cleaning your teeth is easier with metal braces. All you have to do is brush and floss regularly, just as you would do without braces. If necessary, you can use a water pick to clean hard-to-access food stuck in your braces.
You should also schedule monthly checkups with your orthodontist to examine how your teeth are shifting and make adjustments as necessary.
After Care
After your treatment, you will want to make sure all your hard work and progress doesn’t go to waste. As such, your orthodontist will typically prescribe a positioner or retainer to help your teeth maintain their form. At a minimum, you will wear the item every night as you sleep.
How Effective Are Braces?
Traditional metal braces have a long record of success straightening teeth. If you have more complex dental issues, braces may be the perfect solution for you.
Facts About Invisalign
Invisalign offers patients a comfortable alternative to metal braces. They are discreet because they are clear, which many adults prefer. Here are the facts about Invisalign.
Cost
The average cost of Invisalign is $5,000. Talk to your orthodontist to get a specific price for your unique dental profile.
Appearance
Many patients prefer Invisalign because they are hardly visible, if at all. The clear trays are ideal for older patients who want to straighten their teeth but don’t want the look of metal braces at their age. Many people do not even notice when someone is wearing Invisalign.
Invisalign Is Removable
If you don’t want to wear your trays in certain situations, you can always remove them. That is one of the biggest differences between metal braces and Invisalign. Metal braces are on until the term is over while Invisalign can be removed at any time.
So if you want to eat or drink without worrying about getting food stuck on your teeth, remove your trays and put them back in when you are done.
Invisalign Is More Comfortable
Many patients feel Invisalign is more comfortable than braces because there are no brackets that can cause discomfort.
Treatment Term
Invisalign users must wear their trays for at least 22 hours a day. If you use self-discipline and wear Invisalign as prescribed, you can expect a treatment term between six and 18 months.
However, if you have more serious dental issues, metal braces may be a better fit for you. Talk to your dental professional and find out more information specific to your situation.
Maintenance
Invisalign trays use their own cleaning system. Alternatively, you can brush and rinse the trays in lukewarm water.
Clean your trays after eating and as part of your morning and night routines.
Invisalign works by using different trays over time to help your teeth shift. You will need to change your trays every couple of weeks. Visit your orthodontist monthly to review your progress and get your new trays.
After Care
Once treatment is complete, you will likely need to wear a retainer to hold your teeth in place and maintain the tension. Teeth are proven to shift back to their original position so wear your retainer as prescribed until your dentist or orthodontist says it is safe to discontinue its use.
How Effective Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a popular option because it provides results. Patients can expect straighter teeth, usually in less than two years if they wear the trays as prescribed.
What’s the Better Option for You Braces or Invisalign?
Determining what is the better option for you between metal braces and Invisalign is a matter of personal preference. Your teeth are unique and you have your own individual needs to get your teeth straight.
Your orthodontist may feel that metal braces are the only option for your teeth. Or if your needs are not complex, you may opt for Invisalign and straighten your teeth with clear trays and aligners that are hardly detectable.
Before making your decision, speak with your dentist or orthodontist to get as much information as possible to make an informed decision.
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