Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign

Choosing whether to use Invisalign or traditional braces to improve your smile is perhaps the most important decision you will make on your orthodontic journey. The type of treatment you choose to use will not only determine the length of your treatment and how much it costs, but it will determine the results you see when treatment is completed.

While an orthodontist is the only person who can tell you exactly what type of orthodontic treatment is best for you, it doesn’t hurt to learn more about both Invisalign and traditional braces. Learning more about these options can help you make a well-informed decision about which type of treatment is right for you.

The Pros and Cons of Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are what most people think of when they think of orthodontics. This is the mouth full of square brackets, rubber bands, and wires.

Benefits of traditional braces include:

• Effective at correcting all types of problems from minor overcrowding of the teeth to major spacing issues or tooth misalignments
• Helps if teeth need to be rotated during treatment
• Able to correct bite issues such as overbite, crossbite, and underbite
• No removable parts, such as trays, that can be lost or misplaced
• Aspects of your treatment, such as tightness of the wires and how your teeth move, can easily be adjusted each follow-up appointment you have with the orthodontist which helps if problems arise during treatment
• Works great with teens who have bones that have not finished growing

Possible drawbacks of traditional braces include:

• Treatment time varies depending upon the complexity of the problems that need to be corrected
• Orthodontic devices cannot be removed, meaning they are visible
• Multiple food restrictions are in place to prevent damaging of the brackets and wires
• Multiple office visits will be required throughout treatment so the wires can be tightened and brackets can be fixed if broken
• Can take time to learn how to properly brush and floss with traditional braces

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Using a series of clear plastic aligner trays, Invisalign subtly shifts your teeth into proper alignment. Just like with traditional braces, there are benefits and drawbacks to Invisalign.

Benefits of Invisalign include:

• Orthodontic devices, which are clear plastic trays, are almost invisible
• Great for correcting spacing issues and minor misalignment of teeth
• Plastic aligner trays are removable which allows you to eat and drink what you want during treatment
• Treatment may be more comfortable as there are no pointy wires or brackets
• Cleaning your teeth with Invisalign is no different than before you started treatment
• Fewer follow-up office visits are needed as treatment is almost all self-administered

Potential drawbacks of Invisalign include:

• Not able to be used if you have had some types of previous dental work, such as crowns or bridgework
• Requires a lot of self-discipline as the trays need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day and switched out on schedule
• Cannot correct bite issues as it does not change the shape or structure of the jaw
• Alignment trays can be misplaced or go missing

Orthodontic Treatment is Customized to Meet the Needs of the Patient

Every person has different needs when it comes to the type of orthodontic treatment that is recommended. Even two people who have similar problems that need to be corrected to improve their smile could be given two different recommendations for treatment.

A number of different factors go into determining what type of orthodontic treatment to recommend. Factors such as:

• Types of malocclusion – the clinical term for incorrect placement or misalignment of teeth – that need to be corrected
• Personal preferences – such as willingness to follow strict food restriction guidelines or comfort level with having visible wires and brackets
• Budget for treatment - the cost of orthodontic treatment varies
• Previous dental work - such as bridges, implants, or dental crowns
• Age at the time of treatment – some treatment options work better when a patient is still growing while others work better after the bones have fully grown

An orthodontist will take all these factors into consideration and create a customized treatment plan that meets your needs.

Work with an Orthodontist to Choose the Right Treatment Option for You

Before making a final decision regarding which type of orthodontic treatment to use, schedule a consultation with the orthodontists at OrthoCare Orthodontics. An orthodontic consultation is important because sometimes your preferred treatment might not be the most effective way to improve your smile. Your first orthodontic appointment allows you to explore treatment options with an orthodontist and find out which one is right for you.

Are you ready to take the first step to improving your smile and oral health? Call OrthoCare Orthodontics today to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation at any of our four office locations located in North Carolina and South Carolina.