Board Certified Orthodontist in My Area

When deciding what type of corrective hardware is right for you or your child, you will likely have many questions. It is important to choose the most effective and affordable option, while still keeping comfort and practicality in mind. The two main choices when correcting crooked teeth and gaps are braces and Invisalign. Invisalign first became popular in the year 2000; while it is relatively new, it is also very popular and effective. You are probably aware of braces and how they work. Metal brackets are glued to teeth. Wires connect the brackets and are made stronger, shorter, and tighter throughout the process. Invisalign produces the same end result as braces but uses clear plastic aligners or “trays’ instead of metal brackets and wires. Plastic aligners are worn in a series. The teeth straighten throughout the process, getting more and more straight with each aligner. The plastic is BPA free and completely clear.

In order to decide which of these methods is better for you, it is best to compare the pros and cons of each. In terms of appearance, Invisalign definitely comes out on top. The aligners are clear and invisible, for the most part. While braces can be enamel colored or clear, they are always visible and usually are a silver metal that stands out against your enamel. Braces are worn for an average of two years and can never be removed. Invisalign is worn for 22 hours out of each day for 6-18 months on average.

When it comes to cost, braces range anywhere from $3,000 dollars to $7,000 dollars depending on many options and the appliances. Invisalign costs around $4000 to $8,000 dollars in most cases. When you wear braces, you have to brush your teeth often to avoid food getting caught in the wires. Sometimes a water pick is also helpful. Invisalign has its own cleaning system. Other than that, you have to brush your teeth often and rinse the trays with slightly warm water. When you wear braces, you have to visit the dentist once a month for tightening and checkups. Invisalign requires you to change aligners once every 2 weeks, but you only have to visit the dentist every 4 to 6 weeks. Retainers are required after treatment for both braces and Invisalign.

There are pros to both braces and Invisalign. With braces, more complicated teeth issues are able to be addressed. There is also no need for self-discipline, as you cannot remove the braces as you please. Invisalign is not noticeable. It is removable, so you do not have to worry about what you eat. Food is less likely to collect in your teeth and you will not have to deal with the pain from wires and brackets. The main drawbacks to braces are the pain and sores that wires and brackets cause. Foods you are able to eat are limited and teeth are often stained in an odd way due to the brackets. Despite having to remove the aligners when you eat and having to brush well before putting them back in, there are not many real cons to Invisalign.

If you are interested in Invisalign, contact us for more information on how we can help you to transform your teeth into a beautiful smile.