How to Choose Between Invisalign and Braces

Although some say a smile is free therapy, sometimes you may need to invest in treatment plans to align your teeth and boost your confidence when flashing your pearly whites. Invisalign and braces are the two most popular options that many people look at when searching for a treatment to straighten their teeth. Hence, the popularity of the two dental accessories creates a debate among users and researchers regarding which one is more superior.

Many people are familiar with braces since they have been on the market for several years. In contrast, clients started using Invisalign in 2000, with many more customers embracing this innovative treatment in recent years. The information below offers an answer if you are among those looking to see which is better: Invisalign or metal braces.

First, let us commence by looking at the primary characteristics of Invisalign and metal braces. The comparison can conveniently help you identify the best-suited features to address you and your loved ones’ needs.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a treatment used to correct dental problems. It gets its name from combining the term ‘invisible aligners,’ meaning the treatment is true to its title. It uses clear guides to ensure your teeth align in their respective places. The see-through construction makes it almost invisible, making it a perfect choice when you seek a barely noticeable dental care plan.

Invisalign has some pros and cons that you can weigh against your plans and lifestyle before determining which is better Invisalign or metal braces. They include:

Pros

1. You can easily remove it.

2. You do not experience discomfort from wires.

3. It is invisible.

4. No difficulty when you eat.

5. You do not have to deal with issues of food being caught in its structure.

Cons

1. You must remove it before drinking or eating anything except water.

2. You may experience discomfort from tooth movement.

3. You have to brush your teeth after every meal to avoid staining.

Braces

Metal braces are the most common brace type, featuring sturdy construction using high-grade stainless steel. It incorporates thin and small metal braces that straighten your pearly whites with high-tech archwires. When pondering which is better Invisalign or braces, you need to learn about both sides before approaching your doctors.

Looking at Invisalign’s pros and cons mentioned above, examining braces’ advantages and disadvantages is wise and essential. In doing so, you can better know what to expect with each piece and make your decision-making more comfortable.

Pros

1. You do not need additional cleaning steps except regular flossing and brushing.

2. You can enjoy less self-discipline since there is no temptation to leave them out.

3. They are ideal and more effective in tackling more complex problems.

Cons

1. You may find it challenging to eat hard and sticky foods.

2. Difficult hygiene maintenance can lead to your teeth discoloring.

3. You may experience bracket breakage and toothwear.

4. You may have some discomfort, sores, and pain from tooth movement, brackets, or wires.

How to Take Care of Your Invisalign and Braces

When studying which is better Invisalign or braces, and you find yourself favoring the invisible aligners, you want to look at the maintenance required for this treatment type. Below are maintenance tips to keep your Invisalign hygienic and of excellent quality:

1. Avoid Cleaning You Invisalign with Toothpaste

You may think that toothpaste is a suitable cleaning agent for your aligners since it is perfect for cleaning your pearly whites. In contrast, the toothpaste ingredients make it too abrasive for the accessory, which can cause scratches and discoloration. Additionally, it can result in a duller sheen that makes the aligners more noticeable. It is best to clean your accessory with a denture brush or a soft-bristled brush and clear, antibacterial soap.

2. Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Always floss and brush your teeth before returning the accessory to your mouth. Poor teeth cleaning means you will have tiny food particles trapped between your teeth and trays, considerably enhancing the risk of encountering oral health issues like cavities.

3. Soak Your Aligners Every Day

Daily soaking the trays will help you maintain hygienic hygiene while consistently keeping bacteria at bay. You can place them in a special Invisalign cleaning solution or create a half-and-half vinegar and water solution. Soak them for around fifteen minutes and rinse them under lukewarm or cool water before inserting them in your mouth. Notably, avoid using scalding hot water to clean your aligners since it could influence their fit.

4. Thoroughly Rinse Your Trays

You have to clean your aligners each morning after brushing your teeth and every night before going to sleep. The morning routine helps clear out bacteria and dried saliva that may build up overnight, maintaining quality oral hygiene.

5. Store Your Aligners in the Travel Case

Invisalign comes with a travel case to make storage easier and more convenient. You want to carry this piece wherever you go and place your aligners in them whenever you take out your trays. The protective casing prevents accidental damage while simultaneously maintaining cleanliness. Leaving the trays in the open-air exposes them to bacteria buildup and transfer to your mouth.

If you look at which is better Invisalign or braces, and choose the latter, you may run into some issues that sometimes occur with brace wearers. Here are some do-it-yourself tips on how to care for your dental accessories and manage any problems:

1. The Spacer Fell Out

Orthodontic spacers, also called separators, are accessories doctors use before starting brace treatment. You temporarily wear them to separate teeth when they are too close together, creating a small amount of space in your back molars to fit the accessory’s metal band. Although the separation is typically gentle, you may experience some pain and discomfort.

This discomfort may lead you to fidget with the installations, resulting in a spacer falling out from your ivories. In this case, find two dental floss pieces, insert them through your spacer, and pull on both floss pieces to stretch the fallen component. After this, begin sliding the separator back and forth between the two teeth where it originally was. Release and remove the floss once the spacer’s bottom half slips below the tight spot between your teeth.

2. Irritation and Poking from a Wire

If you have a wire causing irritation, utilize a Q-Tip or the end of a pencil to push it away from the sensitive part. When you cannot move the wire, use a cotton ball, small wax piece, or a piece of sugarless gum to cover the wire end until you can see your orthodontist.

3. The Bracket Becomes Loose

A brace’s ergonomic design ensures that a bracket normally stays connected to the primary wire even when it becomes loose. Therefore, you can turn to eyebrow tweezers to correct the bracket if it flips around the wire and causes irritation.

4. A Loose Main Wire on Back Teeth

When you have a loose main wire coming out of the tube on the back molar tooth, use a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers to reinsert it. You can also cut the wire with a toenail clipper or a small wire cutter close to the last brace’s back if it pokes you and an orthodontist is unavailable. However, if the wire does not poke you, you can manage the issue by placing a wax piece over the area.

5. The Brace Breaks

Lastly, if you encounter a broken brace piece, safely store the broken component, schedule a visit to your orthodontist, and take it during your appointment. It is advisable to replace broken braces as soon as possible since the accessories feature a specific prescription to suit your teeth.

Factors that Determine Which is Better Invisalign or Metal Braces

When seeking orthodontic treatment, it is best to consider different factors to ensure you pick the right option for your requirements. The following elements enable you to take a deeper look at the experiences you can expect from each treatment, letting you decide which is better Invisalign or metal braces.

1. Appearance

One of the primary reasons that people seek dental care services is to improve their looks. Depending on your standard of comfort, you can choose either Invisalign or braces to satisfy your needs. These two accessories differ in their appearance, with Invisalign being the less noticeable of the two.

Unlike Invisalign, which features clear plastic construction, braces have metal construction that makes them more visible. In addition, contemporary pieces offer colored bands that enable you to wear a brace in your favorite shade. However, if you prefer discretion, Invisalign is the choice for you.

2. Convenience

Although both have their advantages and disadvantages, weighing the convenience they offer can help you decide which is better Invisalign or metal braces. Invisalign’s biggest convenience is its flexibility, allowing you to eat your favorite sticky and hard foods after taking them out. However, most people often forget to take out their trays and store them securely in their case, leaving them exposed to bacteria. It can also be uncomfortable in social settings to excuse yourself to take out your aligners before starting your meal.

On the other hand, you do not have to remove your braces before eating, making them ideal when you have a habit of misplacing items. Nonetheless, this accessory comes with certain restrictions that stop you from eating sticky and hard foods.

3. Comfort

General dentistry may not always be a comfortable experience, especially when your treatment involves teeth straightening. Despite the debate on which is better Invisalign or metal braces, the process of changing your ivories’ alignment can be painful. Nonetheless, Invisalign applies less pressure to your teeth, making them more comfortable than others.

Braces can feature sharp edges and loose wires that can irritate or cut the tongue or inner lip. Besides, you must wear a mouth guard to participate in sports safely when using these metallic accessories. Even so, as with all things, using braces or Invisalign for a long time increases your adaptability, making them relatively comfortable.

4. Price

Traditional braces offer a more affordable option when the cost of treatment is a worry. The number of trays needed for your teeth determines the treatment cost when using Invisalign. Furthermore, the severity of alignment required by your pearly whites also affects the number of trays needed.

You can contact your doctor to discuss the prices before deciding which is better Invisalign or metal braces. In addition, consult your financial planner to look at the coverage offered by your dental insurance.

5. Effectiveness

Effectiveness is a great indicator of which is better Invisalign or metal braces. You cannot remove braces, requiring you to wear them 24 hours per day, seven days a week. This design allows you to follow your doctor’s recommendation and achieve successful results, explaining why braces have been in business for years. These traditional accessories are also highly effective when combating severely misaligned teeth.

Invisalign has a removable design that makes many users susceptible to non-compliance to the suggested time of utility. Aside from this, if you misplace your trays, your teeth will shift while you are not wearing your aligners, lengthening the overall time needed to complete the treatment. Aligners are also not reliable in straightening overlapping or rotating teeth.

6. Follow up and Post-Treatment

Obtaining regular orthodontic medical services is advisable regardless of your choice between Invisalign and braces. If you wear Invisalign, you need to attend appointments every four to six weeks. When you are using braces, you should schedule your appointment monthly.

Upon completing your Invisalign treatment, you must wear a tray during nighttime to ensure your teeth maintain their new alignment. If you have finished wearing braces, you would also need to put on a retainer at night for the same reason.

In conclusion, when looking at the debate on which is better Invisalign or metal braces, personal choice is the most significant determiner of your pick. Looking at the information provided here, you could weigh both sides to identify the most suitable pick for you or your child’s needs. Whichever option you pick, it is always important to communicate with your orthodontist regularly and diligently practice good oral hygiene.