In search of an ideal smile, the age-old debate continues: braces or Invisalign? Both have their merits, but the choice ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. To help you make an informed decision, we'll explore the key factors that set these orthodontic treatments apart. Let's look at which is better, Invisalign or braces, for your oral health and aesthetics.
Before we get into the comparison, let's define them.
Invisalign uses digital technology to tailor your treatments for desired results. You can see your proposed smile's virtual representation before wearing the aligners. Besides, the aligners can be tweaked while the treatment progresses if required. Braces, on the other hand, are manually adjusted every month to achieve the desired tooth movement. This means your teeth will only move once every four weeks or more.
The cost of Invisalign and braces are more or less the same, but the duration of the treatment varies depending on the severity of your misalignment. While braces can take two or more years (in some cases) to straighten your teeth, Invisalign takes a year. Cosmetic Invisalign treatments are short-term and can be completed within 3-6 months. Your aftercare also influences how faster Invisalign can show results than traditional braces.
Furthermore, Invisalign only suits some. If your teeth are severely misaligned or crooked, braces will be recommended. Your treatment length impacts the price of Invisalign. For example, it is enough to pay less for aligners if you can complete the treatment in a short span. However, braces offer a flat fee, so Invisalign is considered more cost-effective than braces.
Invisalign is better for comfort than braces, as it puts less pressure on your teeth. However, braces have a sharp edge that may cut your tongue or inner lip. Braces cannot be taken out without the help of a dentist. This prevents you from eating certain types of food. On the other hand, Invisalign can be taken out as needed, so you can eat whatever you would like. So, if you want the convenience of eating your favorite foods while wearing your teeth straightener comfortably, Invisalign is the go-to option.
Cleaning the braces is effortless, as you can brush and floss as usual. However, if the food is caught in the metal, you will need a small brush to clean it. As with braces, you can brush and floss with Invisalign, but you should also keep the trays clean every time you eat. You can use warm water or a particular cleaning solution to clean the aligners. If not the aligner trays are clean, solid food or bacteria can accumulate, leading to oral problems.
Whether you want to straighten your teeth to improve your oral health or for aesthetic reasons, you might be thinking about whom you should visit – a dentist or orthodontist. Though an orthodontist specializes in correcting your smile and teeth aesthetics, a dentist can assess your oral health to ensure clear aligners are the perfect choice. They can look for any underlying oral issues that can influence the outcome of the aligners and accurately take your teeth's impression to provide you with custom-fit aligners. They can also monitor your treatment progress and adjust to help you achieve the desired results.
Whether you choose traditional braces or Invisalign aligners, Smile Arizona Dentistry is committed to offering customized treatments that ensure the best possible outcome for your unique aesthetic dental needs. Our dentist, Dr. Beth Vander Schaaf is highly experienced in cosmetic dentistry procedures, helping you achieve the beautiful and healthy smile you seek. Schedule your appointment today to make your dream smile come alive.
