Patients seeking straighter teeth and improved overall oral health are always asking which is the better route to a perfect smile, Invisalign or traditional metal braces.
Rest assured that both treatment options can effectively do the job, and both have pros and cons. However, adult patients, particularly those with relatively minor teeth issues, agree that Invisalign holds a lot of appeal.
Not only are they mostly invisible, as the name implies, but Invisalign straightening trays are often more affordable, easier to maintain, more comfortable, and generally work in less time than traditional braces.
How do they work?
The Invisalign smile perfecting system involves two aligner trays made of clear, smooth, BPA-free plastic created from x-rays, dental impressions, and precise 3D imaging of the patient’s mouth. The custom-formed trays fit snugly over top and bottom teeth like a mouth guard and gradually and gently move teeth into position.
Unlike metal braces, which are permanently affixed to teeth for 24/7 wear, Invisalign trays can be discreetly removed when eating and for cleaning.
If worn at all other times, Invisalign can do the job up to six months faster than typical braces, which can take two years or more to fully straighten teeth. That also often means several hundred dollars in savings over time.
In addition, metal bracket braces require scheduled monthly visits to the orthodontist for tightening along with numerous unscheduled visits for broken brackets.
With Invisalign, patients are given several graduated trays at once to be switched out at home every two weeks. This means in-office visits can generally be kept to an every five-to-six week schedule.
While both forms of treatment may cause some mild mouth soreness and discomfort as brackets are tightened or trays are changed, and teeth move, Invisalign is generally more comfortable for most patients, with no metal wires poking the sensitive skin inside the mouth or having to be covered with wax.
While Invisalign trays are lower maintenance than traditional metal braces both in terms of keeping them clean and visiting the dentist’s office, they are not zero maintenance.
They must be removed for eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining, and require your teeth to be brushed and clean before putting them back in to keep other oral hygiene problems at bay. These requirements, along with the need to both keep up with them after removal and be disciplined enough to wear them regularly, make them a perfect choice for adult patients.
Like many things, the best treatment option is often dependent upon the patient, and here at Oak Hill Dental, we want to help you choose the one that makes you most likely to succeed.
If you would like to discuss the pros and cons of Invisalign vs. traditional metal braces for your teeth straightening goals, contact us today.