Which is Easier: Braces or Invisalign?

Whether you have braces or Invisalign, the process of changing the alignment of your teeth can be painful. However, Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces because it applies less pressure to the teeth overall. Braces can also have sharp edges that can cut into the inner lip and tongue. Treatment with braces can be much faster because, unlike Invisalign, which depends on the patient's needs, metal braces are immovable.

Braces are very efficient when it comes to solving complex dental problems, and they can align teeth and close gaps much faster than Invisalign. Although it varies, usually patients wear braces from 18 months to 3 years. After a relatively short period of time, you will notice the movement of the misaligned teeth, which can greatly contribute to increasing your confidence. With Invisalign, your treatment can last 6 to 18 months if you wear aligners 22 to 24 hours a day.

Braces are best for people with severe strains and for most children and teens. Invisalign and other brands of clear aligners are better for adults who want an almost invisible and more comfortable smoothing method, as long as the teeth are not too crooked. Braces may achieve a better outcome than Invisalign because they have more force to move teeth to the desired position. Invisalign is limited in terms of the number of teeth that can be moved at a time.

Fortunately, braces have developed a lot over the years, and research has helped make them a reliable, effective and comfortable treatment method to achieve straight teeth, a healthy bite and a beautiful smile for millions of people around the world. Orthodontic appliances move teeth safely and effectively, using brackets attached to each tooth, connected by a metal wire. Each bracket is positioned to carefully move each tooth to its correct position, closely monitored by the orthodontist. Are braces right for you? There are many reasons why people choose braces.

Thanks to their robust and effective design, they can create beautiful and long-lasting results even in the most severe cases of tooth misalignment. While treatment with Invisalign may be less effective for particular conditions, such as impacted teeth or severe crowding, braces use many specialized methods to align problem teeth. While Invisalign aligners may not have enough grip to pull out teeth that have grown in the wrong place, the tension on the braces when the brace wire is pulled is extremely effective in moving those teeth. Braces offer maximum grip that can realign even severely misaligned teeth.

This makes them an obvious choice for complex and severe cases, where treatment with Invisalign may require the intervention of complementary braces to be fully effective. For that reason, some patients prefer braces because they don't require you to keep track of the aligners when they are not in your mouth. Compliance is still important; brushing and flossing regularly, visiting the dentist, etc.; but you don't have to worry about losing the appliance. Because braces have been around for a long time, researchers and engineers have spent a great deal of time, resources and experience perfecting their use.

A licensed and experienced orthodontist will have been treating patients with braces since they started training, so you are sure to receive treatment from a real expert. This means that when the orthodontist uses braces to straighten teeth, he can predict with maximum precision where each tooth will need to be moved for the best results, the straightest teeth and the healthiest smile. Using cutting-edge technology and medical-grade biocompatible materials, orthodontists use orthopedic appliances to achieve safe, effective and long-lasting results for young and older patients. Insurance can also make a difference in costs.

While some insurance plans cover both braces and Invisalign treatments, many state-subsidized plans offer coverage only for braces. Each state's insurance plan varies in its coverage options, but in certain states, younger patients can get full coverage for brace treatment. See your state's insurance options for more information. Ceramic braces use a technology similar to that of metal braces but instead of metal braces they use a much more subtle transparent or tooth-colored resin for braces so they blend perfectly with the teeth and provide an inconspicuous appearance.

Ceramic braces offer all the effectiveness of metal braces but with a less noticeable look that many patients prefer, especially older teens and adults. Because braces are clear or teeth-colored they are more likely to be stained with dark-colored foods or drinks (such as dark soda, red wine or coffee), so they may not be the best option for younger patients or those who don't want to give up those items. Because of their placement lingual orthodontic appliances may be less effective in treating certain conditions or more serious cases. Your orthodontist will evaluate your diagnosis and determine if lingual braces are appropriate for your treatment.

Because of their less common use and the necessary experience lingual braces can be considerably more expensive than metal braces. Another disadvantage of orthopedic appliances is the possible discomfort especially at the beginning of treatment when the teeth are sensitive to the pressure of the brackets. During treatment wires or braces may puncture or irritate the mouth. Orthodontic appliances may require more office visits than Invisalign aligners since adjustments are needed throughout treatment and emergencies such as puncturing a wire are more common.

Finally orthotics are also quite remarkable; while ceramic braces provide a more discreet look than metal braces they are not entirely invisible.