Which can help you get that beautiful smile? Invisalign or braces?
There are many benefits of smiling, such as boosting one’s mood. Smiles also impact the impression we leave as a healthy smile can make us more attractive to others.
Unfortunately, not everyone is born with aligned teeth that make up a beautiful smile. Misaligned crocked or rotated teeth? Don’t fret, as orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign are here to help.
Not quite sure which orthodontic treatment to get? Read on to find out which treatment suits you.
Invisalign
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that is best for those with misalignment issues. This issue includes crossbite, underbite, or overbite. Invisalign uses a plastic aligner that moves the teeth into their proper position.
Invisalign treatment can last for 6-18 months, depending on the progress of alignment. In this treatment, users must wear the tray for at least 20-22 hours a day.
Moreover, Invisalign tray aligners are also changed every 2 weeks. As a patient, you’ll also need to visit your orthodontist every 4-6 weeks.
The orthodontic treatment prescribed varies from one case to another. Invisalign treatment is usually recommended to those with minor to moderate cases. If your orthodontist says that both can treat your case, then it’ll come down to your preference.
If you’re a parent, we recommend factoring in your child’s mental and social health concerns. For instance, your child may feel anxious and less attractive when wearing braces. In this case, Invisalign is a great choice.
You should also factor in your child’s activities, whether your child finds it hard to keep track of her things. It’s also important to consider eating habits; for those who love eating hard food, braces are a risky choice.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign is more expensive between the two. However, are you sure that Invisalign is for you? Here’s a list of benefits of Invisalign that can help you discern the difference between Invisalign and braces.
More Appealing
Braces and Invisalign help you achieve a beautiful smile, but braces use metals that can come as unattractive to others. The best thing about Invisalign is that it’s made with clear plastic, so they’re nearly invisible to the eyes. This allows you to receive treatment without wearing conspicuous trays.
Removable and Easy Maintenance
Compared to traditional metal braces, you can remove Invisalign when needed. This makes it easy to brush and floss your teeth, especially since no wiring can hinder you.
No Food Restrictions
With braces, there are certain food types that you must avoid as they can cause your brace brackets to come off. Such food can also leave food particles in the metal wire, causing an unappealing sight. With Invisalign, you can remove the tray, eat, brush your teeth and wear it again.
Less Irritating than Braces
It’s natural for orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign to cause pain. These apply pressure to move your misaligned teeth into position. Invisalign exerts less gentle pressure compared to braces; thus, you’ll feel less pain.
Further, braces can cause sore spots as a result of friction between brace wires or brackets. Since Invisalign composes a plastic smooth edge, you’ll be less likely to get sore spots or gum cuts. Thus, you’ll be more comfortable with Invisalign than braces.
Less Risk for Emergency Cases
Since Invisalign uses plastic trays, you won’t have to worry about any broken brackets or wires. This lessens the need to keep visiting your dental clinic for repairs. This does not mean that Invisalign is unbreakable, so you must still treat it carefully.
Braces
Traditional braces, metal brackets, and wire make up a traditional brace. This orthopedic treatment requires patients to visit their orthodontist every 4-6 weeks. How long a patient wears a brace varies from case to case, but it usually takes at least 2 years.
Pros of Braces
Contemplating between Invisalign and braces? Here’s a list of the pros of wearing braces to help you decide.
Better for more severe cases
If you have severe teeth misalignment issues, wearing a brace is better. Invisalign braces aren’t capable of realigning severe teeth cases.
Invisalign braces aren’t capable of gripping and aligning rounded or cylindrical bicuspids. Meanwhile, traditional braces can grip onto the rounded tooth without chances of slipping. This makes them ideal for repositioning severe teeth misalignments such as rotated ones.
Better Treatment Compliance
Invisalign are convenient when eating and brushing, yet they pose a threat to the treatment. This is especially true for teens who can’t stand the irritation it causes.
This results in treatment interruptions. If you’re a parent and know that your child may want to keep removing the braces, opt for traditional braces.
Fixes the Whole Tooth
Invisalign trays apply pressure on the top part of the tooth; thus, less pressure goes to the bottom part. This results in little progress in the bottom part of the tooth.
While traditional braces put pressure all all-round the entire tooth, which enables it to fix the whole tooth.
Braces and Invisalign: Which Should You Choose?
Both Invisalign and braces offer an array of benefits to patients. Yet they also have some drawbacks that you must consider. For braces, the rubbing of wire and bracket can cause discomfort and pain in your gum, teeth, and jaw. You’ll also encounter food restriction and cleaning hindrances.
Invisalign is only applicable to minor to moderate cases as it can’t be severe teeth cases. Further, there is a price difference between braces and Invisalign, with the latter being more costly.
Aside from considering braces and Invisalign cost, you’ll also need to factor in insurance. Unfortunately, Invisalign isn’t covered by insurance. Yet you can talk out a payment plan with your orthodontists.
For a Perfect Smile, Hook Up with Santa Cruz Smiles!
Both braces and Invisalign are effective in correcting teeth misalignments. Which treatment is right for you depends on your teeth case, budget, and desired results, to name a few. Whatever your case may be, we recommend consulting an orthodontist to get a proper prescription on what you should do.
Don’t have an orthodontist yet? Santa Cruz Smiles is here for your teeth needs.
We offer various services ranging from Invisalign, bracing, tooth extraction, implants, and more! Contact us today, and set up an appointment with one of our t reliable and skilled orthodontics today!