For most kids with mild to moderate orthodontic needs, Invisalign offers greater comfort and convenience. However, braces remain the better choice for complex corrections or for younger patients who may struggle with the discipline required to wear removable aligners 20-22 hours a day.
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, we offer our patients the option of braces treatment or Invisalign aligners. Here, we will cover the advantages and disadvantages of braces and Invisalign, and compare them. To learn more about your Invisalign vs braces options, call us at (480) 422-4544, or contact us online to speak with an experienced orthodontist.
What is the Difference Between Braces and Invisalign Aligners?
Before we go over their relative advantages and disadvantages, here are the basics of how braces and Invisalign clear aligners move teeth into their desired positions.
Braces consist of brackets that attach to the teeth. Wires thread through slots in the brackets, which are also connected by rubber bands. In addition to traditional metal braces, invisible braces options include tooth-colored ceramic braces and lingual braces, which position the arch wires on the inside of the teeth.
Invisalign aligners are custom-made plastic trays that fit your teeth and are virtually invisible. Unlike braces, the patient can remove Invisalign aligners. Treatment consists of going through sets of aligners, each designed to gradually move teeth based on the results achieved by the previous aligner set.
Braces as an Orthodontic Treatment
Braces are a mainstay of orthodontic treatment for many patients. Even though they are an older technology compared to Invisalign aligners, traditional metal braces offer a relatively inexpensive option for moving teeth into the correct positions, and for some complex orthodontic issues, braces remain the only practical option.
Advantages of Invisalign
As long as they are appropriate for your child’s orthodontic treatment needs, Invisalign removable aligners provide several advantages over using braces.
Invisalign Clear Aligners are Practically Invisible When Worn
Although ceramic braces are less visible than stainless steel ones, they are still hard to hide when you are smiling. Invisalign aligner SmartTrack plastic, on the other hand, is nearly transparent. And if your child needs to use Invisalign attachments underneath the aligner, those attachments are virtually invisible, too.
Invisalign Clear Aligners are Effective in Many Cases
Invisalign aligners apply gentle pressure to affect tooth movement. Invisalign works with many types of orthodontic problems, including but not limited to overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, crowded teeth, gapped teeth, and jaw alignment (severe cases of jaw misalignment often require traditional braces or surgical intervention).
Invisalign Clear Aligners Are Safe to Use
Because they do not rely on wires like conventional braces and are not brittle like ceramic braces can be, Invisalign’s smooth plastic aligners are comfortable to wear and avoid the problems that can occur when wires or ceramic brackets break.
Invisalign Clear Aligners Are Convenient and Easy to Use
Aside from their near-invisibility when worn, for many of our patients, another compelling advantage of Invisalign aligners is that, unlike fixed appliances like braces, you can remove them when you need to.
This eliminates one of the most common drawbacks of braces, food particles getting stuck between the brackets, metal wires, and elastic bands. It also makes proper tooth brushing easier and improves the results you get from brushing.
Another convenience for Invisalign patients is that they usually require fewer office visits for regular adjustments than braces do.
You Have No Dietary Restrictions with Invisalign Clear Aligners
Because you can (and should) remove Invisalign aligners when you eat, you have no braces, brackets, or wires to worry about when eating foods like corn on the cob or foods that are hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky.
Finally, cleaning your Invisalign aligner is easy when it is removed, unlike with braces.
Invisalign Clear Aligners Are Affordable
Many insurance providers will cover Invisalign for your child’s orthodontic needs. You can pay for Invisalign aligners in whole or in part through many dental insurance plans, as well as with Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts, or out of pocket through monthly payment plans.
We can also help you arrange a monthly payment plan if you do not have insurance, or if your insurance will not cover the full cost of Invisalign smile treatment.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
Just like braces are not perfect, Invisalign clear aligners have certain real and potential drawbacks.
Not Suitable for Complex Corrections
Transparent aligners may not be suitable for the most complex cases, though they can effectively treat mild to moderate orthodontic issues.
Must Be Removed When Eating
You can drink water when wearing Invisalign trays, but you should remove them whenever eating or drinking anything other than water. The plastic is soft and easily damaged by food.
Additionally, the clear plastic stains easily and warps with heat, so you need to remove the aligners when drinking hot or colorful beverages.
Aligners Require Discipline to Use
Patient compliance with the Invisalign plan is key to treatment effectiveness. You must keep Invisalign aligners in your mouth for at least 22 hours daily. The more you dip below the recommended minimum wear hours, the less effective the aligners will be.
If sporadic use continues long enough, this can eventually lead to changes in the treatment plan and increased treatment time because each successive set of aligners is designed on the assumption that the last set was effectively worn.
Aligners Require More Tooth Brushing
Keeping your aligners clean is important not only for appearance and comfort but also for good oral hygiene. Putting your aligners back in your mouth without brushing your teeth first can lead to bad breath, aligner staining, and an increased risk of tooth decay.
Aligners May Require Visible Attachments
Sometimes, Invisalign aligners need attachments to achieve their orthodontic treatment purpose. These attachments need to be attached by an orthodontist. They can also make the aligners a little more visible when you are wearing them.
Aligners Can Be More Expensive Than Braces
Although the Invisalign treatment method is generally cost-competitive with braces, in some situations, aligners can cost more.
Which is Better: Braces or Invisalign?
By now, it should be clear that although braces are effective for most orthodontic needs, they are not always the only choice. Depending on your unique requirements, Invisalign aligners offer a discreet way to straighten teeth, which many of our patients prefer. Here are three fundamental considerations when deciding which choice is the right one for you.
Do You Have Complex Orthodontic Treatment Needs?
Invisalign aligners are not suitable for complex orthodontic treatments. If this is your situation, then the choice of braces is one that your treatment needs will make for you.
How Self-Disciplined Are You?
One big advantage of Invisalign aligners is that you can take them out at will and put them back in. But if you do not wear them for at least 22 hours a day, this advantage can become a disadvantage, reducing the effectiveness of the aligners and delaying your treatment.
If consistency is a concern, braces might be a better choice.
How Important is Visibility to You?
Because they are clear when worn and are removable, Invisalign aligners are the closest to being an invisible orthodontic solution you can get. If Invisalign is not an available treatment option for you, talk with us about ceramic braces.
Talk With an Orthodontist About Your Choice of Braces vs Invisalign
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, our orthodontists are authorized Invisalign dentists who are trained in how to use Invisalign clear aligner therapy to create a customized tooth alignment and healthy smile recovery plan just for you. If Invisalign is suitable for your treatment, talk to us about choosing this option.
We offer both Invisalign and traditional braces treatments for our young patients. If braces are the right orthodontic treatment for your child, given all the circumstances, we will advise you and help you consider ceramic or lingual braces.
Your first consultation with us is free. No risk, no obligation. There is no reason you cannot find out how much Invisalign aligners or braces can help your child achieve the health-improving and confidence-building benefits that come with straight teeth and a healthy, inviting smile.
Call us today at (480) 422-4544 or reach out online to set up your free initial consultation with an experienced orthodontist—or just ask us any questions you still have about Invisalign, metal braces, or clear braces.