Invisalign vs. Braces: Which is faster and more effective?

A straighter smile is beautiful and healthy. Crooked, improperly gapped, or overcrowded teeth can have numerous health and aesthetic problems. To combat these problems, you can consult your dentist or orthodontist about orthodontic treatments to straighten your smile and improve your oral health.

Braces and Invisalign are the most common treatments for correcting orthodontic imperfections. Since each treatment comes with pros and cons, it can be difficult to decide between the two treatments. There are several factors to consider, like comfort, cost, duration, effectiveness, and much more. This article will answer all those questions to help you decide better.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners. Clear aligners use clear plastic trays to correct orthodontic problems. Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, are worn over the teeth, gently and gradually pushing them in the desired direction. Invisalign is custom-made to fit snugly like a mouthguard.

It’s also worth noting that Invisalign aligners are removable. You should remove them when eating, drinking, brushing, or at special events. You should wear the Invisalign trays for at least 20-22 hours daily. You have to wear a new set of aligners every two weeks. Contact our Invisalign dentist for Invisalign near you.

What are braces?

Braces are teeth straightening devices teeth that use wires and brackets. Like Invisalign, braces gradually move the teeth in the desired direction. Unlike Invisalign aligners, you can’t remove or adjust traditional braces.

Invisalign vs. Braces. Factors to Consider

• Visibility or appearance

Most people opt for Invisalign aligners due to their clear and virtually invisible nature. Also, Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit snugly against the teeth, making them virtually invisible from a distance.

Most braces consist of metal wires and brackets, which are highly visible from a distance. However, nowadays, you can get better aesthetic options like ceramic and lingual braces.

• Duration of treatment

Generally, how quickly you’ll see results depends on your condition’s severity and compliance with your dentist’s instructions. For instance, wearing your Invisalign for less than 20 hours daily can significantly delay your results. With either treatment, more crooked teeth take longer to straighten than minor crookedness.

However, certain studies have shown that Invisalign treatment is much faster than braces. On average, Invisalign takes about 6 – 18 months, while metal braces take about 20 – 24 months.

• Effectiveness

Both braces and Invisalign are highly effective. However, the effectiveness of either treatment depends on the condition and the patient’s compliance. While Invisalign is highly effective for minor to moderate misalignments, they aren’t effective for correcting complex malocclusions.

Using Invisalign for complex orthodontic problems might take years to show results and may do very little. Similarly, not wearing your aligners for 20 hours daily and not changing them every two weeks may not show significant results.

Braces, specifically metal braces, have proven to be more effective for correcting complex orthodontic problems.

• Comfort

Invisalign is custom-made to fit snugly against teeth, making them less likely to cause cuts or discomfort. However, it’s normal to experience discomfort since they exert pressure to reposition teeth.

Braces, specifically metal braces, are more uncomfortable than Invisalign. For instance, metal wires and brackets can cause teeth sensitivity.

• Care and maintenance

Generally, Invisalign treatment requires more discipline to use. For instance, you must remove your aligners for 20 hours or more. You must also remove the aligner when eating, drinking, or brushing. You must also clean aligners every day to prevent oral infections.

You must also rinse or brush your teeth before wearing the aligners. Proper handling of the aligners is also necessary as they can break or get damaged if mishandled. For children, all these instructions might be too much.

Braces are attached to the teeth by the dentist. You’re not required to remove them when eating, drinking, or brushing. The braces can only be removed and adjusted by the dentist. They are easier to maintain than Invisalign.

Final Verdict

In general, both Invisalign and braces are effective and fast, based on your compliance and condition. For minor to average misalignments, Invisalign has shown faster results. For complex misalignments, braces have proven to be more effective. Still, it’s best to visit a dentist for professional examination and advice.

Schedule an Appointment Today

For more information about braces and Invisalign in Wellesley, MA, contact Wellesley Dental Arts.