Menu

Is Invisalign Better Than Braces

Is Invisalign Better Than Braces
Posted on 02/05/2018
This is the image for the news article titled Is Invisalign Better Than Braces

You’ve made the decision. You or your loved one are going to take the first step toward creating a beautiful, confident smile and healthier mouth by beginning orthodontic treatment. But which treatment is best for you? Adams Orthodontics offers our Valdosta and Thomasville area patients several types of braces as well as Damon® braces and Invisalign Clear Aligners. Dr. Bradley Adams and his staff work with children, teens and adults to help you determine the best options for your situation. We’ve put together this helpful chart to help you clearly see the individual advantages of both braces and Invisalign.

Advantages of Invisalign Clear Aligners Vs. Braces

Braces and Invisalign clear aligners are very different tools to achieve the same confident smile. Here are how they stack up against each other with regards to the most common questions we get at Adams Orthodontics.

 

Traditional Metal Braces

 Invisalign Clear Aligners

Length of Treatment

Braces treatment usually lasts from one to three years, depending on the severity of your teeth misalignment.

Treatment with Invisalign usually lasts anywhere from 6 months to a year and a half, depending on the severity of the problem. This is less time that average braces treatment. However, there are some restrictions to the type of misalignments Invisalign can treat.

Aesthetics

Traditional braces are made of silver stainless steel and attached to the outside of your teeth, so they will be noticeable to others. Dr. Adams does offer ceramic braces as an option, which blend in more with your teeth. However, you will still be able to see the archwire spanning across your teeth.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of clear plastic, formed into trays to fit snuggly to your mouth. They are almost invisible to most people.

Effectiveness

Braces are more effective for extreme orthodontic problems like extreme overcrowding. You can expect braces to work faster if you have large gaps to close and complex teeth alignment that is needed. Because braces are permanently attached you are unable to remove them and therefore they will be working 24/7.

Invisalign clear aligners are very effective for orthodontic problems that are not too complicated. However, you must wear them at least 22 of 24 hours in the day for them to be effective.

Oral Health

With your brackets and wires attached, it is sometimes difficult to get your toothbrush and floss in and out around your teeth. However, this is very important to good oral health as it is easier for food particles to get lodged in and around your braces and cause bacteria, plaque and tooth decay.

Because you remove your aligners for eating and cleaning, it is easier to brush and floss your teeth. Special care should be taken to clean your aligners each time you take them out, either by rinsing after each meal and washing with a disinfectant at least daily to keep them clean and unstained.

 

Comfort

Braces are attached to your teeth and then wires are used horizontally to put pressure on the teeth moving them into place. The brackets may cause some discomfort at first as the rub up against the inside of your mouth and lips. Monthly visits to your orthodontist are made to adjust or tighten the wires and you may experience some discomfort immediately following the adjustment.

You will receive a series of clear aligner trays to start your Invisalign treatment. The plastic is smooth and so will not cause pain as it rubs against your mouth. The trays are worn day and night, applying pressure to the teeth to move them. Each set of trays in succession is molded just a bit differently to keep moving your teeth in place. You may experience a little discomfort when you switch to a new set of aligners.

 

Frequency of Office Visits

You will usually make monthly visits to your orthodontist for braces adjustment or tightening.

You will usually change your Invisalign aligner trays every two weeks but you will only need to visit your orthodontist about every 4 to 6 weeks.

Everyday Life

Because you will have brackets and wires attached to your teeth, Dr. Adams recommends limiting sugary food and drink as well as omitting hard or sticky foods and candy that might damage or break your appliances.

 Since Invisalign is removable, you have no restrictions in what you can eat. Just remember to brush your teeth after every time you eat or drink anything other than water.  

Call Adams Orthodontics And See Which Is Right For You

As you can see, there are pros and cons for both traditional metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners to consider when beginning orthodontic treatment. Dr. Adams is an experienced orthodontist and can diagnose orthodontic needs in children, teens and adults. Make your first free consultation appointment today using our online appointment form or by calling our Valdosta office at 229-247-6960 or our Thomasville office at 229-226-3633. Dr. Adams and his staff will welcome you to our orthodontic family and get you started on the path to a brilliant, healthy smile.

Adams Orthodontics

  • Valdosta Location - 816 Northwood Park Dr., Valdosta, GA 31602 Phone: 229-247-6960 Fax: 229-247-8870
  • Thomasville Location - 415 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792 Phone: 229-247-6960 Fax: 229-247-8870
  • Tifton Location - 1807 Old Ocilla Rd., Tifton, GA 31794 Phone: 229-247-6960 Fax: 229-247-8870

2024 © All Rights Reserved | Website Design By: Televox | Login