Braces vs Invisalign

 

	Braces (not removable)	Invisalign® (removable)
Color	Metal or Clear brackets	Clear/ Near Invisible
Estimated Treatment Time	24/7 for an average of 2 years, depending on level of correction needed	22-24 hrs/day for 6 to 18 months, depending on level of correction needed
Maintenance	Brush and floss around brackets and wires when brushing teeth; a water pick and floss threader may be helpful	Use the Invisalign® cleaning system, or brushing and rinsing trays in luke-warm water
Follow Up Visits	Monthly visits	Visits every 4 to 6 weeks; change aligner trays every 2 weeks
Follow Up to Treatment	Retainer likely needed ongoing, maybe only at night	Retainer likely needed ongoing, maybe only at night
Pros	·         More effective for complex issues, i.e. overcrowded teeth, severely angled teeth, severe over/underbite ·         Not removable so less self-discipline is needed for success ·         No extra cleaning steps required besides regular brushing and flossing	·         Invisible ·         Removable ·         Removable, no issues with food getting caught ·         No difficulty eating ·         No discomfort from sharp brackets or broken wires
Cons	·         May have mild to moderate pain, sores, or discomfort from wires, brackets or tooth movement ·         May have tooth discoloration due to challenge of cleaning well around hardware, bracket breakage or tooth wear ·         Necessary to avoid eating sticky and hard foods for the duration of treatment	·         May have mild to moderate discomfort from tooth movement ·         Must remove before eating or drinking anything but water ·         Must brush after each meal to avoid staining
NOT Ideal For	Patients playing rough contact sports regularly	Patients with: ·            bridgework ·            back tooth bite issues ·            the need to rotate canines or premolars ·            the need to move teeth vertically ·            lack of discipline to keep trays in for at least 22 hours daily

      Comparing braces and Invisalign® is a tight race. If you’re an adult or have a teen, who tends to be self-conscious, Invisalign® is virtually invisible and may appeal to you. And, the fact that it’s removable so you can eat, drink, brush and floss more naturally, may be desirable. But, if the idea of having to remove your aligners for meals or while drinking anything but water-and then remember to put them back in again-seems inconvenient, Invisalign® may not be the best solution for you. Also, to avoid staining, remember you’ll want to brush before putting your trays back in each time you’ve eaten something. Is that a daily practice you can incorporate into your lifestyle for the treatment period? Finally, if you or one of your children need to address issues with the back teeth, or need to rotate teeth or move teeth vertically, Invisalign® may not even be an option. Enlist a provider like Fort McMurray’s Fort McMurray Dental, experienced with both braces and Invisalign, we can recommend the most effective solution to perfect your smile and teeth. The decision to straighten your teeth to improve your smile and overall oral health should not be taken lightly. If you need help deciding whether braces or Invisalign® makes more sense for you or a family member, consult our experienced staff today!