Let's make an informed decision before taking the next step
Making the decision to straighten your teeth can be a tough one, especially when trying to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of braces versus Invisalign and other clear aligner brands. It's important to conduct thorough research, ask questions, and seek the advice of an dental professional trained in clear aligners to make an informed decision. Your orthodontic treatment will depend on the type of problem you need to correct, and Invisalign may not be the best option for everyone.
To help you make a more informed decision, we've compiled a list of the pros and cons of both Invisalign and braces. Traditional braces are usually made of metal and attached to the outside of the teeth. However, ceramic and lingual (behind the teeth) braces are also available. Braces work by using metal wires and rubber bands to manipulate your teeth into the correct position.
On the other hand, Invisalign treatment utilizes clear, plastic aligners that are custom-made for each patient using a 3D scan of their mouth. These aligners gradually move the teeth in small increments until the desired position is achieved. Ultimately, the decision between braces and Invisalign should be made with the guidance of an experienced dentist who can help determine which option is best suited for your individual needs.
The Advantages of Clear Aligners
Here are some of the advantages of Invisalign:
Aligners Looks Better
The biggest benefit of Invisalign is that the retainers are virtually invisible. Reveal aligners are even more clear and comfortable to wear due to the incorporated Clearwear Technology Adult patients love that colleagues and clients can’t see they are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Self-conscious teens do too. With Invisalign you don’t go through a period of people commenting on your new braces. You won’t be worried about your smile in photos - all you will see in photos is the progress of your ever-improving smile.
You Can Take the Aligners Out to Eat
For best results Invisalign needs to be worn for 20 - 22 hours each day, which means you can take your aligners out when you are eating. This means you don’t have to change what you eat or how you eat it. With braces people find some types of foods difficult or uncomfortable to eat.
It’s Easier to Brush and Floss Your Teeth
As well as when eating and drinking, you’ll also remove your Invisalign retainers to brush your teeth. With nothing on your teeth to worry about, you can continue brushing and flossing as you did previously.
Fewer Consultations Required
With Invisalign, much of the dentist’s work happens before you wear your aligners. A 3D scan of your teeth is used for making all the customised retainers in a laboratory. You should change the multiple sets of retainers on your dentists’s directions. There is no need to visit the orthodontics for adjustments so visits are kept to a minimum to check on progress. Few visits to the dentist means less time off work.
Comfortable to Wear
You may be wondering “are braces or invisalign more painful?” Moving teeth around with Invisalign can be uncomfortable and painful, much like traditional braces. However, there are also fewer mouth and gum problems with Invisalign. Invisalign retainers are made of a special plastic and fitted to each patients mouth, so - unlike braces - there are typically no cuts on the inside cheeks or salt washes to deal with.
Invisalign Disadvantages
There are several disadvantages of invisalign that you need to consider:
Patients Need to be Disciplined
Being able to remove your aligners is both a pro and a con. If you aren’t someone who is disciplined about putting your aligners back in your mouth after eating or brushing, you aren’t going to wear them the required 22 hours per day. Your treatment may not produce the best results if the aligners aren’t worn as long. The major reason for Invisalign treatment failing primarily relates to lack of patient compliance with wearing the aligners.
Taking your Aligners In and Out Can be Inconvenient
Aligners need to be removed before eating and drinking anything other than water. When you are out in public, you need to remove your aligners discreetly and not lose them. Before replacing your aligners, you need to brush your teeth. Food particles can stop your teeth from moving and can stain your aligners. You are also at increased risk of cavities and bad breath.
Cost
We are often asked “is it cheaper to get braces of Invisalign?” Due to advances in the 3D scanning technology and the flexible material involved in making the aligners, the cost of Invisalign and Reveal Clear Aligners can be similar to braces. Depending on the specific problem, some treatment is difficult if not impossible to achieve with Invisalign alone so your dentist may discuss the possibility of finalising tooth positions with braces which could result in a more expensive treatment. Lingual (inside) braces are often compared to Invisalign because they both offer an almost invisible appearance. Like Invisalign, lingual braces are a fully custom option so they are more expensive than traditional braces.
Invisalign Effectiveness vs Braces
Invisalign, like Reveal Clear Aligners, are not always the best treatment method. It’s typically not recommended for more complex orthodontic cases. Before deciding on which treatment you should use, ask your dentist if you can expect the same result from all methods. This will allow you to make an informed decision on which type of treatment is right for you. An experienced and ethical dentist will advise you on the best treatment options for your own specific situation.
Clarity of materials of Clear Aligner brands versus Reveal Clearwear Aligners
The Advantages of Braces
Traditional braces, or newer lingual braces, have a lot going for them. Some of the pros of braces are:
Braces are attached to the teeth, which means there is no temptation to remove them or forget to put them back in.
You can choose from traditional metal brackets and wires, clear or translucent ceramic braces for top teeth, or even colored or gold braces for a special look.
You will never have to deal with losing an aligner...
Disadvantages of Braces for Teeth
While braces have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages.
Even clear braces are more noticeable than clear aligners like Invisalign®.
Inside or lingual braces can be uncomfortable to the tongue and affect speech.
Braces require a higher level of maintenance, making it more difficult to clean your teeth properly.
Care must be taken not to break the braces, which can cause significant delays and inconvenience.
More frequent visits to the orthodontist are needed as the teeth align and stiffer wires are placed.
Wires and brackets can also cause irritation to the cheeks and make it harder to clean, leading to discolouration or decay.
Eating requires more care with braces, as certain foods can damage the arch wire or cause a tooth bracket to come off. Hard or sticky foods should be avoided to prevent breakage, which can increase your time in braces.
Despite the disadvantages, braces can still be an effective way to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.
Clear Aligners are user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing option which is why its become such a popular alternative to traditional wires in recent years. Reveal has gone a step further and can reduce the number of aligners needed to achieve your dream smile. Beyond that they have incorporated anti-yellowing technology so your aligners stay clean and clear ALWAYS. Check out more information about Reveal Here
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