There are a variety of orthodontic treatment options available in modern dentistry, all capable of correcting different levels of severity in misalignment and malocclusion. Arguably the two most popular treatments are Invisalign and braces. Both exert pressure on the teeth to move them into the correct position, but in different ways, and with different benefits. Invisalign vs braces: which one is right for your needs? Let’s find out.
Invisalign
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of custom-fit, removable clear aligners that fit over the teeth. Each aligner tray is made of a flexible plastic material that is virtually invisible when being worn. This helps patients achieve straighter teeth without anything overly noticeable in their smile.
How Invisalign works
Invisalign trays are custom-designed to fit on each individual’s teeth profile but with some gentle pressure. A full Invisalign treatment will normally include 20-30 of these trays, each one slightly altered from the last. This ensures that as your teeth move, they are still under gentle pressure to continue their movement.
Patients must wear their aligners for at least 22 hours a day, but can remove them for eating, drinking or cleaning teeth. Once your teeth have reached the desired position, they are typically maintained using a retainer.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign seems to only increase in popularity each year, with more patients opting for the discreet appearance. Made from see-through plastic, Invisalign can be worn without being too noticeable, helping both teens and adults receive teeth straightening without much fuss.
Invisalign provides many advantages beyond aesthetics, including removability. The removability means patients do not need to change their regular diet as they would with braces. Patients can eat and drink like normal while their aligners are out. Patients also have an easier time cleaning as they don’t have to contend with any fixed wires or brackets.
Invisalign is often the most comfortable orthodontic treatment, with the custom design ensuring a precise fit over your teeth. This leads to minimal discomfort, and the lack of wires reduces irritation to the soft tissues of the mouth.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
While they offer many benefits, there are still drawbacks to consider before getting Invisalign. Invisalign patients need to be disciplined in their compliance with the 22 hours per day rule. Otherwise, the treatment will take longer and have reduced effectiveness. While the removability is an added benefit, it also means patients need to clean their teeth before putting their aligners back in. This can often double or triple the amount of time spent brushing each day, but ensures no food particles are trapped in the teeth while the aligners are on.
Finally, while they are ‘virtually invisible’, there are situations where aligners can become more noticeable. Notably, the use of Invisalign attachments — little buttons stuck to the teeth to help the aligners sit correctly — can make them more visible especially if they become stained or discoloured from food, drink or smoking.
How much does Invisalign cost?
The total cost will vary based on the length of your treatment, and how many sets of aligners you need. More severe cases take longer to fix, and therefore require a more extensive treatment course.
On average, an Invisalign course will cost between $6000 and $9000. For a detailed price breakdown, have a chat with our friendly team or read our article on the cost of Invisalign.
Braces
Traditional braces have been a staple of dentistry and orthodontics for decades and remain one of the most trusted treatments. Braces can be made from a variety of materials and are used to treat severe cases of malocclusion and other serious teeth issues.
How braces work
Similar to Invisalign, braces apply constant pressure on the teeth to move them into a desired position. Differently though, they do this using a series of brackets and an archwire. Each tooth has a small bracket — made of metal or ceramic — attached to the front surface, with a thin archwire running through all of the brackets and held to them by an elastic band. To exert pressure, the archwire is periodically tightened to prompt the brackets and teeth to move.
Benefits of braces
The primary advantage of braces is the versatility of treatment — braces treat issues ranging from the minor through the most complex. Braces provide the most control over the movement of teeth, making them the most effective at fixing orthodontic problems. Greater control also ensures more predictable results for dentists and patients.
Unlike Invisalign, the fixed nature of braces can remove the temptation to remove them, which ensures consistent progress throughout treatment. Patients can also choose ceramic brackets which are white and Fast Braces for less severe cases.
Disadvantages of braces
The inability to remove braces does make daily brushing and cleaning more complex than normal. Patients need to learn how to clean between their teeth without disrupting the archwire and brackets. This can increase the amount of time spent brushing and flossing carefully. Patients with poor oral hygiene habits are often not suitable for braces. Similarly, patients that have large or complex restorations like large fillings, crowns, veneers or bridgework may not be suitable. Braces can increase the likelihood that these restorations will break during treatment.
Similarly, the presence of fixed brackets will force patients to change aspects of their diet, to ensure the food they eat doesn’t accidentally damage the braces or leave traces stuck in the teeth. Braces may be less comfortable and more irritating than other orthodontic treatments.
Patients with braces typically need to return to the dentist more frequently for progress check-ups. This can be tough for people with busy schedules, but the check-ups are important to ensure the treatment is having the desired impact.
How much do braces cost?
In general, traditional braces tend to be slightly more affordable than Invisalign. Highly complex cases can require a longer duration, which can lead to an increase in costs and more visits. An average treatment course will cost between $7000 and $9000.
Difference between Invisalign and braces
Many of the above differences between the two orthodontic treatments come down to day-to-day practices, including eating and cleaning. On the whole, Invisalign largely offers a more comfortable experience in these areas, with patients able to continue their regular diet with no changes and clean their teeth without having to navigate fixed wires and brackets. For these reasons, many people gravitate towards receiving Invisalign.
Unfortunately, the other key difference may be the most important determining factor of which treatment you receive: how complex your case is. If your teeth only require a minor treatment, Invisalign will suit you comfortably, but for anything more severe than that, you may have little choice but to go with braces.
Braces are still a great option though! The noticeability can deter many, but they also provide the most powerful and effective orthodontic treatment, and there are options that can reduce their visibility. Using braces also reduces the risk of non-compliance and makes it much easier to complete your treatment course on time.
Making the right decision for your treatment
Whether you opt for braces or Invisalign will depend primarily on the severity of the issues you are hoping to treat, and to a lesser extent your personal preferences around visibility and comfort.
Many practices charge more for Invisalign treatment than braces. Being Platinum providers of Invisalign allows Oakleigh Dental Centre to charge our patients the same fee for either braces or Invisalign so the most important consideration is which method our patients think will suit their lifestyles better. The treatment time and result will be the same- the type of journey our patients embark on is the most important factor.
If you are looking to improve the position of your teeth but are unsure how much work it will require, book a consultation with our team and we can help you understand the benefits that each treatment course offers. We can’t wait to help you find your dream smile.
