The journey towards a beautiful straight smile begins by choosing the right orthodontic treatment plan.
Making the decision to straighten your smile is a big decision. It means you’ve taken the first step towards boosting your self-confidence and improving your oral health in a significant way. The next step is to decide how you’d like to straighten your smile.
Modern orthodontic treatment is tailored to your needs.
Compared to decades past, modern orthodontic care is much more effective, efficient, and customized—and comfortable! Not only are patients able to get straighter teeth more quickly, but they also can choose how they’d like to straighten their smiles.
Teens and adults will have two main treatment options available to them: Invisalign and braces. Braces are the more traditional route, while Invisalign is often viewed as the more modern choice.
Many patients are already aware of the obvious differences between Invisalign and braces, but may not be as informed of their more subtle advantages and disadvantages. To help you better understand the complete picture of how braces and Invisalign compare, we’re going to compare them in 5 important categories.
1. Appearance
Looks may not be everything, but it is a very important factor for many patients. Considering that you’ll be “wearing” your orthodontic treatment for a while, you’ll want to choose an option that you feel most comfortable with.
When it comes to appearance, Invisalign is the hands-down winner. The clear aligners are extremely subtle and virtually invisible when you’re speaking or interacting with others. From busy professionals to self-conscious teens, Invisalign has been a popular choice for a range of individuals chiefly due to their nearly invisible nature.
2. Treatment Cost
There are many factors that contribute to how much straightening your teeth will cost, such as insurance or severity of your current smile alignment. Keep in mind that the only way to get an accurate estimate of how much Invisalign or braces will cost is through an in-person consultation. Our office can also help determine how much your insurance might cover.
When Invisalign was first introduced, it was more expensive than traditional braces, but that is no longer the case. Generally speaking, traditional metal braces will cost about the same as Invisalign. The same level of expertise, skill, and diagnostics are needed for both. Additionally, the monitoring of treatment is also similar.
3. Treatment Length
The less time your orthodontic treatment plan takes, the faster you can enjoy your newly straightened smile.
Your current smile alignment really determines how long treatment will take, but in most cases, Invisalign has a shorter treatment time. Older teens and adults who opt for braces will wear them for about two years. Ideal candidates for Invisalign can finish their treatment plan within 6 to 18 months.
The speed in which Invisalign works largely comes down to the wearer and your precise orthodontic needs. But if you’re wearing your clear aligners for the recommended 22 hours per day, you’ll be on track for quick results.
4. Effectiveness
If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, you’re also a candidate for braces. But if you’re a candidate for braces, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a candidate for Invisalign. When comparing effectiveness, it’s important to keep this in mind.
Invisalign is undoubtedly a very effective form of orthodontic treatment, but it isn’t able to fix every smile issue. Severe orthodontic issues will need additional intervention; however, it is highly effective at treating most orthodontic issues.
From adjusting just a few teeth to completely transforming a difficult smile, braces can just about handle it all. If your dentist finds that your smile concerns won’t be able to be fixed with Invisalign, braces will save the day.
5. Maintenance
The easier it is to take care of your smile during your treatment plan, the easier it will be to maintain optimal oral health. Maintaining the orthodontic appliance you’ve chosen is also something to keep in mind.
Invisalign aligners can be removed whenever you’re eating, drinking anything but water, and when you’re brushing or flossing. Removing and replacing your clear aligners does involve extra steps compared to braces, but it actually ends up being less maintenance for the same reasons. You’ll be able to eat the same foods you love and easily care for your teeth without working around brackets and wires. You’ll also see the dentist for checkups less often and upgrade to your next aligner at home.
With braces, you will need to adjust your diet, especially when it comes to avoiding sticky, hard, or crunchy foods that could damage the brackets or wires. Brushing and flossing also take getting used to when wearing braces. You’ll need to work around the brackets and wires to ensure you’re getting a thorough clean or you’ll be at risk for developing tooth decay. You’ll generally see your dentist on a monthly basis to have your braces adjusted and tightened.
Start your orthodontic treatment plan by scheduling a consultation at Wohlers Family Dentistry.
If you’ve decided that Invisalign is your ideal choice, the next step is to book a consultation with Dr. Wohlers.
During your consultation, Dr. Wohlers will closely examine your smile and chat with you about your smile goals. From there, she can determine if you’re an ideal candidate for Invisalign and begin forming a treatment plan for you.
If you’re mostly interested in braces or discover you’re not a candidate for Invisalign, Dr. Wohlers will guide you towards a trusted orthodontist who can help. Although Dr. Wohlers won’t be able to provide treatment for braces, she can certainly continue to provide the rest of your dental care.
To schedule a consultation, you can either call our office or fill out this handy online form.
