Invisalign vs Braces

Braces and Invisalign in savage minnesota were both created to help patients straighten their teeth, leading to better oral health and an improved smile. While traditional metal braces have been in used for hundreds of years, Invisalign was only introduced to the public about 20 years ago, but feedback about Invisalign has been consistently positive since its inception. If you’re trying to decide between traditional braces and Invisalign, there are a few important things to consider. Each has its pros and cons, so be sure to talk to your dentist about which option may be right for you.

Braces are small metal brackets that are glued to a patient’s teeth and connected to one another by small rubber bands and metal wires. While braces have historically been made of metal, recent technological advances have led to braces that match the color of your tooth enamel, making them less obtrusive-looking, and some braces are even available in fashionable colors. Conversely, Invisalign is, as its name suggests, designed to be invisible. Invisalign aligning trays are made of clear, smooth BPA-free plastic and are designed to subtly and gently straighten your teeth. Using x-rays, 3-D pictures, and dental impressions, your dentist will create custom molds to construct your Invisalign trays specifically for your mouth.

Let’s start with an overview of the potential pros and cons of braces. Braces, which cannot be easily removed and are worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, are usually made of silver-colored metal, though fashion colors and tooth-colored enamel are available for an additional cost. Most patients wear their braces for an average of two years, though the duration of treatment varies based on individual needs. Average cost of traditional braces is $1,800-$5,500, depending on the complexity of your orthodontic needs. It is important to keep your braces clean, through regular brushing, though flossing with braces can be challenging; for this reason, some people with braces prefer to use a WaterPik or other electric oral hygiene tool. If you have braces, your orthodontist will recommend monthly follow-up visits, and you will be required to use a retainer at least some of the time after your braces are removed. Braces are generally more effective than Invisalign if you have complex orthodontic issues, and they require less self-discipline, since they are not removable, though routine oral hygiene is still of the utmost importance. Braces may cause pain or discomfort, either because of tooth movement or because of wires that rub against the soft tissue of the mouth. Braces may also result in tooth discoloration, due to difficulty in properly brushing, and patients who wear braces may be unable to eat particularly hard or sticky food. Finally, braces may cause injury or face damage in the mouths of people who play contact sports, and are not recommended for this population.

Invisalign, which is generally successful and well-received, is not without its own set of pros and cons. While Invisalign is designed to be as close to invisible as possible, the clear plastic aligner trays are still slightly visible when worn. Most patients use Invisalign for about a year, depending on the complexity of a patient’s orthodontic issue, and Invisalign brackets are worn for about 22 hours a day, as they are removed for cleaning and eating. It is important to routinely clean the Invisalign trays, which is done separately from brushing and flossing and may require a special cleaning solution. The average cost of Invisalign treatment is $5,000; again, this ranges based on the complexity of the treatment, but the maximum cost for Invisalign can run as high as $8,000. While patients change their Invisalign trays on their own, usually every two weeks or so, they are also required to visit their dentist about every 4-6 weeks for follow-up appointments. Just as with braces, it is likely that people who undergo Invisalign treatment will need to use a retainer after completing treatment. Because of the design of Invisalign, patients can eat what they want with no risk of damage or of unsightly food getting stuck in metal brackets. There is also no risk of rubbing or sores caused by metal wires or brackets. However, Invisalign may still cause discomfort, and regular cleaning and maintenance of Invisalign is important. Invisalign may not be an effective option for you if you have bridgework, or if you lack the discipline to keep the Invisalign trays in place for at least 22 hours a day. Invisalign may also not be recommended for people with problems with the bite alignment of their back teeth, or in cases where specific teeth need to be rotated or moved vertically. An Invisalign-trained dental practitioner can tell you if Invisalign or traditional braces is the better idea for you.

Clearly, there isn’t one right answer when it comes to deciding between Invisalign and braces. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, you may prefer the inconspicuous appearance of Invisalign. But if you don’t want to remove your aligners to eat and drink, in addition to brushing your teeth after every meal, Invisalign may not be the right choice for you. Long-term success rates for braces and for Invisalign are difficult to gather, since Invisalign has only been in use for about 20 years, and the success of Invisalign is directly related to the dedication and discipline of its users, since they don’t work if you don’t wear them for the assigned duration. Since you can’t remove your braces, they work no matter what! As mentioned above, in some cases, Invisalign won’t correct your orthodontic problem, so be sure to talk to an Invisalign-certified dental practitioner to learn whether Invisalign will work for you.

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