Invisalign or Braces – Which One Is the Right Choice for You?
Besides giving you a beautiful smile, straightening your teeth improves your overall oral health. Straightening your teeth aligns your jaw and corrects your bite, and it also helps you stave off cavities because straight teeth are easier to clean. When you are considering orthodontics to get your teeth straightened, two of the most popular choices for treatment are traditional braces or Invisalign.
Invisalign is a clear aligner that is designed to be invisible. It is made out of BDA-free plastic that is comfortable and smooth. The aligner trays are worn over your teeth and they gently and subtly move your teeth. The trays are configured according to a 3D image of your teeth made out of pictures, impressions, and X-rays.
Braces are made out of wires and rubber hands that tie down metal brackets glued to your teeth. The brackets can be ceramic, metal, or some combination of the two materials. You can make the brackets discrete by getting them to match your enamel color.
You may be asking yourself – Which is better braces or Invisalign? Is Invisalign cheaper than braces? Does Invisalign work faster than braces? How effective is Invisalign?
Our goal at Modern Day Smiles Dentistry is to find the treatment that best suits you and your smile, which means exploring all the options. That is why we have compiled a list of things you should know before making a decision.
Invisalign vs. Metal Braces: What Is the Difference?
Even though both Invisalign and metal braces straighten your teeth, they are different in many ways.
Duration of Treatment
The treatment with braces can be much quicker because unlike Invisalign that depends on the patient’s needs, metal braces are irremovable. Braces are very efficient when it comes to fixing complex tooth issues, and they can align teeth and close gaps much faster than Invisalign. Even though it varies, usually patients wear braces from 18 months to 3 years. After a relatively short amount of time, you will notice the movement of misaligned teeth, which can go a long way in boosting your confidence. With Invisalign, your treatment can last from 6 to 18 months if you wear the aligners 22 to 24 hours a day.
Cleaning Your Teeth
Wires and metal brackets can be a real challenge to clean, but when wearing braces oral hygiene is a must. You risk the build-up of plaque around the braces, which can result to decay and staining if you do not clean your teeth properly. It is important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions on how to floss and brush your teeth. The Invisalign trays can be cleaned with rinsing and brushing the trays in warm water. They should be cleaned in the morning at night, and after you eat or drink anything.
Food Preparation and Diet
Like previously mentioned, the Invisalign aligners are removable which makes it handy when talking about food. You can just remove your trays when you are eating some kind of forbidden food, then clean your teeth and put the trays back. When it comes to braces, some precaution needs to be taken when consuming food. A bracket can dislodge from a tooth or an archwire can break by eating sticky and hard foods. You will need to repair the breakage because until then, the braces would not be able to do their job. Even the treatment time can be prolonged if you often break your wires.
Cost Efficiency
Braces usually are a bit more affordable than Invisalign, typically costing around $1,800 to $5,500. The cost of braces can vary depending on the duration of treatment and severity of the case. Because of the number of trays that you have to use throughout the entire treatment, the flexible material and the 3D scanning technology used in making the aligners the average price of Invisalign is $5000.
Regular Consultations
When wearing braces, you will be expected to pay your dentist a visit every 4 to 6 weeks. The Invisalign follow up visits should be done at the same time, but you will also have to change your trays every two weeks in order to keep up with your teeth moving.
Comfort and Appearance
Metal braces can be a bit more uncomfortable than the Invisalign treatment because the brackets can be problematic, and they can create sores in your mouth. On the other hand, the Invisalign aligners are made out of plastic that won’t irritate the gums. Adults who are hesitant of straightening their teeth due to the appearance of an older person wearing braces will enjoy the idea of Invisalign because the trays are clear.
Perfect, Straightened Teeth at Modern Day Smiles Dentistry
The best way to tell which one to choose is to have our experienced orthodontists examine your teeth and recommend the option that will work for your specific case. You can make an appointment at Modern Day Smiles and have a consultation at one of our two dental offices located in Tampa or St. Petersburg. We accept all the major insurances, and you can talk to our staff members about affordable payment plans and pricing options that are available to you.
