Braces or Invisalign – What to Know

Long Beach, CA – Braces and Invisalign are both excellent options for helping you get the smile you’ve always wanted. But which one is right for you? Dr. Heather Desh, a board-certified orthodontist at HD Orthodontics, explains the differences so you can make an informed decision.

“At HD Orthodontics, we use both traditional braces and Invisalign treatment for our patients,” says Dr. Desh. “One treatment modality isn’t considered ‘better’ than another because they are both extremely effective in correcting malocclusions. But there are pros and cons to both options and things to consider before deciding which is best for you.”

How are braces and Invisalign similar?

Even though their appearances are quite different, braces and Invisalign are quite similar. That’s because the science behind moving teeth is the same no matter your treatment. Both are effective at treating a variety of malocclusions, even severe ones. Today’s average treatment times are similar for both treatments, and the costs are similar. Both require a commitment from the patient to keep their treatment on track.

So, with all those similarities, what makes them different?

Braces or Invisalign: The Differences

Metal Braces

1. Highly visible. Because of their nature, traditional braces are difficult to hide in your mouth. They consist of brackets bonded to each tooth and wires threaded through the brackets and held in place by tiny elastics. Today’s metal braces are smaller and sleeker than ever, and many patients love that they can personalize their treatment by choosing their favorite colors for their elastics. If you’re looking for something more discreet, however, clear braces are a great alternative to consider.
2. Comfort. Traditional braces can cause some discomfort to the inside of your mouth, especially in the first few days after getting your braces. For most patients, it is normal for that discomfort to last up to a week. Orthodontic wax is a big help for anything rubbing on the inside of your cheeks and Advil/Tylenol is always a good idea for easing any tooth discomfort. In no time, your braces will feel like they’ve always been a part of you!
3. Caring for your smile. Taking care of your teeth and gums with braces is definitely an adjustment at first and can take a bit of getting used to. The brackets create nooks and crannies where food debris can get stuck. Adding tools such as Waterpiks and interdental brushes can be a big help. Dr. Desh suggests packing an on-the-go care kit with all the tools you need for caring for your braces while at school or work. If you play sports or are involved in any activity where a blow to the mouth could occur, it is important to always wear a properly fitting mouthguard. Your brackets and wires can create sores on the inside of your mouth should you get hit in the face.
4. Diet. You will need to make some adjustments to your diet to avoid damage to your brackets or wires. That means avoiding any foods that are too hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy.
5. Compliance. While many patients may believe there is less work on their part when it comes to traditional braces, that isn’t necessarily the case. The brackets and wires are always in your mouth, so they are always working, but they do require compliance with hygiene, dietary restrictions, and appointments to ensure your treatment stays on track. Additionally, many patients require the use of elastics to correct the bite, and these must be worn as directed by your orthodontist.

Invisalign

1. Virtually invisible. Adults and teens love Invisalign because the aligners are made of transparent plastic. This allows them to blend into your smile so you can discreetly straighten your smile. Most patients will have attachments, or little bumps, bonded to some of the teeth, which do render the aligners a little more noticeable. The purpose of the attachments is to help control the forces moving the teeth and aid in aligner retention.
2. Comfort. Invisalign trays are made of smooth, BPA-free plastic. They are custom designed for each patient, so yours are made just for your smile. While there won’t be any poky wires or braces to cause discomfort in the mouth, the aligners will be moving your teeth so you will still experience soreness similar to that of braces which may require use of Advil/Tylenol.
3. Caring for your smile. Invisalign aligners are removable, so it makes taking care of your smile while in treatment a breeze. Simply remove the aligners and brush and floss as you normally would. It is helpful to brush after every meal so all food particles can be removed prior to placing your aligners back in your mouth, but if time doesn’t allow, rinsing with water or mouth rinse is recommended at the very least. It’s also important to clean your aligners. You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear anti-bacterial soap to clean your aligners, or you can soak them in a retainer cleaning solution.
4. Diet. Because the aligners are removable, there is no need to adjust your diet. You can eat and drink whatever you like. However, aligners should be removed before eating or drinking anything hot. If you drink something other than plain water with them in, please ensure to brush them thoroughly to remove any sugars or stain that could be lingering in the aligners. This will help prevent decay and staining on the teeth as well as damage to the aligners.
5. Compliance. Invisalign requires a high degree of compliance from patients. That’s because the aligners are removable, so it can be easy to forget to wear them. Aligners should be worn an average of 20-22 hours each day, only taking them out to eat, drink, brush, floss, and clean the aligners. You’ll receive a series of aligner sets, and each is worn for approximately two weeks before moving to the next set. This is important because each set is calibrated to achieve certain tooth movements. Wearing them out of order or for not enough time can negatively impact your treatment. Similar to regular braces, you may also require rubber bands to correct your bite, and you’ll visit your orthodontist at regular intervals to ensure treatment is on track.

“When it comes to deciding which treatment is best for you, it’s important to have all the information,” says Dr. Desh. “At HD Orthodontics, we discuss pros and cons of all treatment options with our patients so they can make an informed decision. We also discuss financial obligations and insurance benefits so our patients can feel comfortable knowing they are choosing the right treatment modality for them.”

If you are interested in learning more about orthodontic treatment options available to you, call HD Orthodontics today at 562-283-6590