Whether you’re looking to fix a changing jaw, crooked teeth, or are just looking to perfect your smile, there are plenty of reasons why adults and teenagers may be looking for orthodontic procedures.
From traditional braces to Invisalign, there are so many different options to choose from so it’s only natural to be feeling overwhelmed. But don’t fear, at Gentle Dental we have the rundown on the top differences between the two!
Invisalign looks far nicer
Surprise, surprise – not everyone likes the look of traditional braces on their teeth! When you put the practically invisible Invisalign retainers next to the distinctive metal wires of braces, there’s just no comparison.
Whether you’re a self-conscious teen or an adult late to the cosmetic dentistry game, Invisalign is ideal for those looking to keep their orthodontic work on the inconspicuous side. The clear retainers will let you show off your pearly whites throughout the whole process and keep track of your teeth’ progress before your own eyes.
Need to eat? Just pop your Invisalign out
It’s already hard enough to keep track of when you have food in your teeth – so imagine how difficult that would be with metal brackets and wires on your teeth! While braces make themselves at home for a good 18-24 months, you can take out your Invisalign aligners to eat, provided you keep them in for the other 20-22 hours of your day!
Rather than worrying about whether or not that raw carrot you snacked on got stuck between your tooth and the wire, your eating habits can stay largely the same with Invisalign.
Invisalign keeps your flossing and brushing routine the same
Similarly, your flossing and brushing routine can stay pretty much the same if you choose to go with Invisalign.
Just pop your Invisalign out and brush and floss as you usually would! Just ensure you brush your teeth after eating – this will make sure the Invisalign isn’t damaged by food particles.
When braces are involved, things can get a little bit tricky. With so much wire to get around, you’ll struggle to get your floss in and between your teeth, so it’s best to pick up floss with a floss threader which you can feed underneath the wire to reach your teeth.
You’ll have to take even more care with your dental hygiene than you already do to avoid any food debris that has gotten stuck in and around the brackets and wires. Leave that debris for too long and you’ll find some pesky bacteria and plaque build-up on your hands, which can lead to stains and spots on your teeth.
You can’t lose your braces
Are you an easily forgetful person? Then Invisalign may not be for you.
While the ‘put-in, take-out’ nature of Invisalign may be perfect for some, it can also open up the potential to be easily lost or broken if the aligners aren’t taken care of properly. It can also be hard to stay disciplined for 22 hours of the day when you know taking the aligners is always technically an option.
On the other hand, once braces are on they can’t go anywhere. If you think you may struggle with staying compliant with Invisalign, then braces could be your best option.
Braces have well and truly shown their mettle over time
No mouth and set of teeth are the same, so a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution doesn’t apply to orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry. While Invisalign can be perfect if you have only minor alignment issues, braces are far more effective for complex cases.
The fact that some form of braces has been used to fix crooked or twisted teeth for centuries is a testament to their effectiveness. By exerting an even amount of pressure over the whole tooth, braces help push everything from the top of the tooth right down to the root in the right direction. Invisalign, on the other hand, focuses most of the pressure towards the top of the tooth.
If you can’t choose between Invisalign and braces, don’t panic – this is your orthodontist’s area of expertise!
At Gentle Dental Care we understand how difficult it can be to choose the right orthodontic procedure. With both braces and Invisalign being expensive and time-consuming, we know how important it is to choose the right procedure to suit your own unique needs.
Offering free pre-consultation for anyone looking to undergo orthodontic consultations, our professional and experienced team of orthodontists will analyse the best solution for you. By putting together a potential treatment plan, we will also take you through all of the associated costs and payment options, so you can know exactly what to expect throughout the whole process.
Get in touch with our friendly team to book a free pre-consultation today – we can’t wait to help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of!
