Is Invisalign® better than braces?
Who wouldn’t want healthy teeth- it is beneficial for your physical and mental health, improves your oral hygiene and boosts your confidence.
Orthodontic work is a great way to get a healthier smile. Wearing braces helps to straighten teeth that are crooked, protruding or crowded. Braces also close any gaps between teeth and help correct the bite.
There are many different types of braces to choose from, such as Invisible Braces (Invisalign), Six Month Smiles, Alias Lingual Braces and Damon Clear Braces.
In this blog article, we will answer an all-important question: is Invisalign® better than braces?
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. The aligners are made of flexible plastic, which is designed to apply a certain amount of force, to straighten your teeth.
Your orthodontist will custom-make your aligners by conducting a 3D scan of your mouth. These customised aligners gradually force your teeth into the correct position.
You can wear a full set of Invisalign, or a partial set of Invisalign, which only moves the front teeth.
The Invisalign is virtually invisible- lots of people don’t even notice when a patient is wearing Invisalign aligners. Your dentist or doctor will monitor your progress for the duration of your Invisalign journey, to ensure it is working correctly.
Invisalign is the most advanced clear aligner system in the world- it has helped improve over 14 million smiles, including 2 million teen smiles.
To generate the best results, you should wear your Invisalign aligners for around 20 to 22 hours each day.
Click here to read our blog post on ‘what are invisible braces?’
Is Invisalign better than braces?
When it comes to straightening your teeth, you should always follow the advice of your dentist or orthodontist, who will be able to recommend whether Invisalign or normal braces are right for you.
Invisalign brings numerous benefits, as it is a highly advanced orthodontic treatment.
But normal braces may be a better option for you if you need more force to straighten your teeth.
Read the following tips below to see how Invisalign compares to normal braces:
Advantages of Invisalign
- The Invisalign is not virtually invisible- it does not come with any brackets or wires, or the restrictions that come with metal braces.
- The Invisalign can be removed during meal times and during sleep, whereas normal braces cannot be removed.
- Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than normal braces, as it applies less pressure to the teeth.
- Wearing Invisalign requires fewer trips to the dentist than normal braces do.
- If you wear normal braces, they can cause cuts inside your cheeks. With Invisalign, you won’t have this problem.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
- Invisalign is generally more expensive than getting normal braces.
- You may forget to put in and take out your Invisalign each time, which may put you behind on your teeth straightening progress.
- Invisalign is limited in terms of how much teeth can be moved at a time– normal braces are the most powerful treatment method for moving teeth to the desired position.
- It requires effort to clean and maintain your Invisalign aligners and the trays that they are stored in. If you do not clean them properly, old food and bacteria could build up on them, which can stain and damage your aligners.
- If you do not clean your Invisalign well enough, this increases your risk of cavities and bad breath.
Is Invisalign painful?
Like all retainers, Invisalign may bring slight discomfort, as your teeth adjust to the new pressure being applied. But Invisalign is not a painful orthodontic treatment.
After first wearing Invisalign, any mild pain that you may feel should only be temporary, for the first few days.
Consult your dentist or orthodontist if you experience severe pain or discomfort after a week of wearing Invisalign.
What is more painful- Invisalign or normal braces?
Generally, Invisalign is considered to be less painful than normal braces- as it is a plastic device, as opposed to metal wires and brackets in metal braces.
For this reason, Invisalign is deemed by many patients to be much more comfortable than normal braces.
Who is eligible for Invisalign?
You should consult your dentist or orthodontist if you would like Invisalign treatment. They will be able to assess your situation and decide whether or not Invisalign is suitable for you.
You may need Invisalign if:
- You have crooked teeth
- You have crowded teeth
- You have an underbite or overbite
- You have a crossbite or open bite
- You have gaps in your teeth
You may not be suitable for Invisalign if:
- You do not yet have all your adult teeth- Invisalign is not suitable for people who still have a baby tooth.
- You smoke regularly- the tobacco can interfere with the Invisalign aligners and make them dirty.
- You lose your Invisalign aligners or forget to wear them or take them out.
What is the cost of Invisalign?
Typically, in the UK, Invisalign costs anywhere between £1,500 to £5,500.
Talk to your dentist or orthodontist to find out exactly how much your Invisalign will cost and what treatment plans there are.
Where can I get Invisalign?
Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, our team of experienced dental specialists can support you through every step of your Invisalign journey.
The aligners are custom-made for your teeth from an impression we will take at your initial consultation. Each set of aligners must then be worn for approximately two-to-three weeks. After each two-to-three-week period, we’ll give you the next set.
Each set of aligners builds on the work the previous set has done to gently bring your teeth into their new, straighter position.
Invisalign clear aligners are great for people who want to have straight teeth but can’t bear the thought of having traditional fixed metal braces.
Book a consultation with one of our Invisalign Dentists here if you are interested in the treatment.
Invisalign treatment is also available for teenagers- Invisalign Teen aligners accommodate the continuing and natural eruption of young adult permanent teeth.
Visit our website here to find out more about Invisible Braces (Invisalign).
Can you eat with Invisalign?
No, you should remove your Invisalign aligners when you eat and drink.
Can you brush your teeth and floss with Invisalign?
You should remove your Invisalign aligners when you brush your teeth and floss.
Do you wear Invisalign at night time?
No, you should take out your Invisalign when you go to sleep. It is best to keep your Invisalign in for 20 to 22 hours during the day.
Can you play musical instruments if you wear Invisalign?
If you play a wind instrument with a mouthpiece, such as a flute, saxophone or clarinet, your Invisalign may get in the way. So, you may find it useful to remove your Invisalign while you play the instrument and put the aligners back in afterwards.
Does Invisalign affect your speech?
No, Invisalign should not cause any major speech impediments- it should be comfortable to talk with.
For the first day or two, you may develop a very slight lisp, as your mouth adjusts to the feeling of the aligners. But this should only be temporary- your tongue will quickly adapt and your speech will be back to normal!
What is the fastest way to straighten your teeth?
If you are wondering which works faster- Invisalign or normal braces- it’s a tricky one.
Technically, Invisalign is faster- treatment can take as little as 12 months, compared to 18 to 24 months for regular braces.
However, you should take into account what your desired results are. If your teeth need more force to move to the desired position, then maybe you need normal braces- yes, this will take longer than Invisalign, but this could be the fastest treatment plan for your individual case.
Consult your dentist or orthodontist to see which type of braces are ideal for you- normal braces or Invisalign.
What are Six Month Smiles Braces?
Six Month Smiles Braces are a short-term orthodontic solution to getting straighter teeth.
The appliances are clear plastic retainers or almost invisible wires, which gently move misaligned teeth to their desired position. Treatment time only takes 6 months- about a third of the time taken with traditional orthodontics like metal braces.
Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, our dental specialists can assess your situation and work with you to decide whether Six Month Smiles Braces are suitable for you.
Visit our website here to find out more about Six Month Smiles Braces and book a consultation with one of our dentists.
Click here to read our blog post on ‘what are Six Month Smiles Braces?’
There you have it, we hope we have fully informed you on the question of whether ‘ is Invisalign better than braces?’
To find out more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.
We offer a wide range of dental treatments and services, including Invisible Braces (Invisalign), teeth whitening, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces, and Damon Clear Braces.
If you need an emergency appointment, visit our webpage on our emergency dental treatment here or call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835. Alternatively, walk into the practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.
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