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Invisalign vs. Braces – What's Right for You?
Our team is proud to offer both braces and Invisalign as orthodontic treatment options for children, teens, and adults looking to straighten their teeth. But which option is best for your smile?
Choosing the best orthodontic treatment to correct your smile issues is a balancing act between your orthodontic needs, your lifestyle, and even your personal style.
Both braces and Invisalign are highly effective orthodontic treatment options. Generally speaking, neither is better than the other; each treatment option has unique benefits and drawbacks.
During your consultation, your orthodontist will work with you to help you pick the best option for your unique case. Below, you will find facts on braces and clear aligners to help you prepare to make an informed choice.
Flexible Payment Plans & Financing Options
We believe that finances should never be a barrier to essential health care. Regardless of whether you choose braces or Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, we offer flexible payment plans and convenient financing to help you manage cost.
Benefits of Braces
Traditional braces use brackets, elastic bands and wires to gently shift and straighten teeth over time.
But the braces of today aren't the clunky, uncomfortable face-full-of-metal contraptions that you might be picturing from decades ago. Today's braces are lower-profile, more comfortable, and (dare we say?) cooler than ever before.
Versatility
Braces can be used to resolve virtually any misalignment, no matter how complex. This is because of their ability to apply strong, consistent pressure to the teeth.
Invisalign's plastic aligners are unable to create the amount of force required to correct more complex tooth movements, like rotating teeth, lengthening them, or paralleling roots in extraction cases. When these types of movements are necessary, braces are often the best mode of treatment.
Efficiency & Cost Effectiveness
Braces have the ability to apply greater force than clear aligners for more efficient tooth movements, meaning treatment with braces may be shorter in certain moderate or complex cases.
In addition, the more complex the movement required, the more Invisalign aligners will be required to accomplish it. This can significantly increase the cost of Invisalign if you have a complex misalignment. In these cases, braces may be the more affordable choice.
Ease of Compliance
There are lots of lifestyle benefits to removable aligners, but it's important to think about how likely you are to wear them as prescribed. It's easy to forget to put them back in or to give yourself more 'breaks' than might be wise if you're feeling sore.
Be honest with yourself. If you think you may have trouble staying compliant with your treatment plan, fixed dental braces may be the better choice. Braces can get you through treatment on time.
Learn All About Invisalign & Braces Treatment in Meridian and Laurel
At Douglas Orthodontics, we offer treatment with traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners for children, adults and teens. Our orthodontist will help you choose which treatment option is right for you.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign's clear aligners straighten teeth by applying a gentle, consistent pressure to the teeth over time.
Treatment comes in the form of a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners. Each aligner in the series is designed to promote a specific shift in the positioning of the teeth. Then, after a prescribed period of time, it is switched out for the next aligner until the desired results are achieved.
Virtually Invisible
Invisalign clear aligners are made of a lightweight, transparent plastic material, making them virtually invisible when worn. This makes them a great treatment option for people concerned about the appearance of metal brackets and wires.
Braces definitely have a distinctive look, and not everyone is confident about wearing them. And while we can offer lower-profile alternatives to traditional braces, such as clear ceramic and self-ligating options, we find that Invisalign is definitely the most subtle orthodontic treatment option.
Convenient & Removable
Another clear benefit of Invisalign is the convenience of removable aligners. Invisalign clear aligners can be removed for brushing and flossing. Many people find oral hygiene with braces time consuming and challenging, but with Invisalign, you can go on brushing and flossing your teeth just like you always have.
You can also take the aligners out to eat, which means you don't have to deal with any of the food restrictions that come along with braces, and you can even take your aligners out for pictures, for date night, and more.
Comfortable
No matter whether you choose braces or Invisalign, you will likely experience some discomfort at points throughout your orthodontic treatment as your teeth move into their new positions.
With Invisalign's smooth plastic construction, though, you don't get all the friction that metal wires and brackets can cause. This can help make treatment with Invisalign more comfortable.
