How is Invisalign Better than Braces?

The pros and cons of Invisalign vs. traditional braces: duration, cost, dietary restriction, oral hygiene, and more.

Straightening your teeth has many benefits, such as a more attractive smile and improved oral health. It can also resolve issues such as gum disease, bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth sensitivity.

However, for many adults, wearing braces can be an awkward and inconvenient experience.

Thankfully, with Invisalign, you can straighten your teeth without having to endure metal in your mouth, the awkward pictures, or the increased risk of tooth decay.

It’s no wonder Invisalign is taking the world by storm as the latest cosmetic dentistry treatment. You should just make sure you go to the right dentistry that you can trust to get the best treatment. For example, Invisalign in NYC is becoming ever more popular and great many dentists are requested to perform this trending substitute to braces. So depending on your location, look for a dentist with the most experience with this treatment.

Now, you may wonder how Invisalign treatment compares to traditional braces. Some common questions include “Invisalign vs. braces, which is faster for straightening teeth?” and what’s the cost of Invisalign compared to traditional braces?”

Let’s answer your questions.

Invisalign vs. Braces: Pros and Cons

Here are some key differences between Invisalign and braces:

Treatment Duration

The treatment duration for braces ranges from 18 months to 3 years, while the average time required for Invisalign is 6 to 18 months.

Cost

The average cost for braces is around $5,000, and that for Invisalign typically starts at $3,500 and goes up to $8,000 depending on the treatment duration and whether further orthodontic intervention is required.

While braces are more likely to be reimbursed by insurance and flexible spending plans, an increasing number of policies now cover Invisalign. Many dental practices also offer payment plans to meet the needs of their patients.

Oral Hygiene

Because the brackets and wires aren’t removable, braces make maintaining dental hygiene more challenging. Patients must brush and floss frequently and diligently to remove food between the brackets to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

On the other hand, you can remove the Invisalign trays to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly. You can also soak the aligners in either soap and water or special cleaning fluid to remove bacteria quickly and easily.

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Effectiveness

While braces can fix complex tooth issues and are faster at closing gaps between teeth, most patients find Invisalign sufficient for straightening out misaligned teeth.

In addition, Invisalign can be used to fix facial, jaw, and neck pain, as well as relieve TMD symptoms, by deprogramming the muscles involved in bruxism (teeth grinding).

Dietary Restrictions

When you’re wearing braces, you need to avoid eating foods that are too crunchy or sticky, such as apples, popcorn, and gum.

Meanwhile, there’s no dietary restriction for the Invisalign treatment because you’ll be removing the aligner when you eat.

Appearance

The brackets for braces are attached to the front of the teeth, so they’re highly visible and can cause an awkward appearance.

On the other hand, Invisalign trays are transparent. They may make the teeth appear shinier but don’t significantly alter your appearance, making them a great option for patients of any age. Just don’t forget to take them out before having drinks and foods that can cause them to stain.

Pain and Discomfort

Braces need to be adjusted every 4-6 weeks, and you can expect some pain or soreness after each adjustment.

Invisalign is designed to move the teeth gradually, and most patients don’t feel any pain during the course of the treatment.

Conclusion: Invisalign or Braces?

For most adult patients who want to straighten their teeth, Invisalign is a better option thanks to its shorter treatment duration, overall lower cost, easier maintenance, lack of dietary restrictions, and better appearance. So, now that you know how Invisalign compares to traditional braces, what will you do?

Author’s Bio:

Jessica is a health fanatic, but her main focus is on oral care and the importance of keeping up to date on new treatments and groundbreaking news in dentistry. Before joining Advanced Dental Arts NYC in 2016 as the Content Marketing Manager, she enjoyed writing for various blogs, including her own, on similar oral health subjects.

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