Invisalign Vs Braces: Their Procedure, Pros & Cons

Braces and Invisalign straighten misaligned or crooked teeth and improve your smile and overall oral health. They both have the same outcome but different ways of achieving their results.

Braces involve the use of a metal wire that pulls teeth in a straight line over time. Invisalign straightens teeth with a series of aligners; they shift your teeth slowly into the right position.

Choosing between braces and Invisalign can be difficult, so let’s look at their procedures, pros, and cons.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a more advanced and modern way to straighten teeth than braces. The treatment process includes putting on clear plastic trays made to fit your mouth’s impressions.

Here is How Invisalign Works

An orthodontist examines the patient’s mouth and then uses x-rays or other digital imaging techniques to create a mold of the teeth. Next, the mold is used to design a plan to help position the teeth correctly.

The plan helps them to make a series of clear aligners. Every set of aligners moves the teeth a little closer to the end goal.

The average treatment time for Invisalign takes about 12 to 18 months. You will receive new trays after every two weeks. For the treatment to work as planned, you must wear the trays for at least 20 to 22 hours every day.

Pros of Invisalign

Here are the advantages of Invisalign:

• The main advantage of Invisalign is that the retainers are invisible, unlike braces. Adult patients love the idea that clients and colleagues can’t see them undergoing orthodontic treatment. Self-conscious teens love that too.
• You can take Invisalign aligners out when eating or drinking. That means you don’t have to alter your diet or how you eat. People with braces find certain types of food uncomfortable or difficult to eat.
• When wearing Invisalign, your dental hygiene is better compared to braces. It is easier to floss and brush. You will remove your retainers when brushing or flossing your teeth.
• Moving your teeth around can be slightly uncomfortable; Invisalign results in fewer gum and mouth problems than braces do.

Cons of Invisalign

Below are some disadvantages of Invisalign:

• Taking off your aligners is beneficial, but it’s also a con. The treatment process can take longer for individuals who remove their aligners too frequently and for too long every time. Therefore, the results won’t be as effective as braces instead.
• Invisalign isn’t a good option for everyone, unlike braces. For example, people with extremely crooked teeth may not be good candidates for Invisalign treatment because the process may not be effective or may take too long.

Now that we have seen Invisalign let’s look at braces and see what sets them apart.

Braces

Metal braces are the most popular and commonly used. Traditional braces comprise ceramic or metal, some wire, and glue to make them stick to the teeth.

How Braces Work

Once our dentist in Chino gives you a referral, you will arrange a set-up with an orthodontist. The orthodontist examines your mouth and may take some x-rays to develop the best treatment plan that suits your needs.

When getting the braces, the orthodontist cleans and conditions the teeth and then affixes all the brackets to the teeth utilizing the placements determined in the treatment plan. Wires are then cut and laid between the brackets.

After a certain period, the wires will pull the teeth into the right position. You will have follow-up appointments every 4 to 8 weeks to adjust the wires as the teeth move.

Several factors may determine how long you will have to wear braces. The severity of the misalignment or any jaw issues leads to a longer treatment time. Most people have a treatment period of about 1 to 3 years.

Sticking to the instructions given by your orthodontist can reduce the treatment period by a little bit.

Pros of Braces

Below are the benefits of braces:

• A major benefit of braces is that you can select this treatment despite the difficulty of your case. You can have various dental problems that need correction, and braces can be utilized to treat each one.
• Braces can attain a better outcome than Invisalign. They are stronger; therefore, they possess more force to move teeth into the desired position. Invisalign has a limitation on how many teeth it can move.
• Using braces may be speedier compared to choosing Invisalign. However, since you must wear braces all the time and cannot take them off, this means that the treatment is done soonest possible.

Cons of Braces

Below are some drawbacks of braces:

• A disadvantage of braces is that the treatment is noticeable when patients with braces smile. However, many individuals hate how braces look and feel self-conscious about their teeth’s appearance in social situations.
• It’s hard to manage dental hygiene when wearing braces. Flossing and brushing teeth is more difficult, and failure to clean the teeth properly can lead to plaque build-up around the braces. This may result in tooth staining and decay.

Visit Your Nearby Dentist

Are you looking to get braces or Invisalign in Chino, CA? We at Ramona Dentistry of Chino offer Invisalign and braces in Chino, CA. Call us or book an appointment with our dentist today!