Braces V/S Aligners- Which Is Better? At Charni Road, Kemps Corner, Walkeshwar, Lower Parel Mumbai
Braces and clear aligners (such as Invisalign) are orthodontic treatments used to treat malocclusion (crowded, protruding, or crooked teeth) to improve the look and feel of your smile. Both teeth-straightening methods work by exerting pressure to realign the teeth and jaw and correct a malocclusion, sometimes called a 'bad bite.”
Traditional braces typically consist of brackets attached to a wire and fitted to your teeth. Clear removable aligners, such as Invisalign, were created more recently to address some of the problems associated with traditional braces.
We discuss the pros and cons of Invisalign and other aligners versus braces, including the procedures, cost, aesthetics, comfort, effectiveness, and care. With this information, find out which one fits your needs.
Comparing Invisalign Aligners vs. Braces
Invisalign and braces work similarly to correct problems with the alignment and spacing of your teeth. Take a look at the differences between these orthodontic devices in terms of price, aesthetics, comfort, effectiveness, speed, and more.
Price
Clear aligners may be comparable or slightly higher. These costs depend on factors like your location, treatment duration, the complexity of your dental issues, and your choice of orthodontist.
Aesthetics
Braces typically have small brackets attached to a wire and fitted with bands. The brackets can be made of metal, ceramic, or other materials and come in colors like clear, silver, or the shade of your teeth.5 Lingual braces go on the back of your teeth to make them less visible.
Many people, especially adults, prefer clear aligners for their natural look. Aligners like Invisalign resemble clear retainers and are custom-fit to your mouth. They are nearly invisible, even from a short distance.
Comfort
Research suggests that people with traditional braces experience more pain and discomfort than those using Invisalign, especially in the early weeks of treatment and each time an orthodontist tightens them.
Clear aligners may also take some time to get used to. Patients may have excessive salivation and speak with a lisp for the first few days after beginning treatment.
Braces may also be uncomfortable when metal scrapes or pushes up against the inside of your mouth. Aligners have a smoother, softer feel.
Effectiveness and Speed of Straightening
Both aligners and braces are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the orthodontic treatment of malocclusion.
Aligners are usually used for mild to moderate dental concerns. Braces are often better and more effective for complex cases, like rotated teeth, large gaps, or severe crowding.
People generally wear aligners for 12 to 18 months, but some may need them for just six months.10 Fixed braces typically take one to two years.11 The exact duration depends on many individual factors, so consult your orthodontist about what to expect in your situation.
Eating
With braces, you'll need to avoid foods that can stick to or damage the brackets. Avoid hard foods like apples, pears, carrots, popcorn, and nuts, as well as sticky foods like chewy candy and gum.
One benefit of clear aligners is that they are removable. You should take them out when eating or drinking. Be sure to brush and floss before putting them back in to prevent tooth decay.
Care and Cleaning
To avoid tooth decay, you should brush your teeth after every meal or snack and floss daily if you wear braces.12 Use an interdental brush (a tiny brush that goes between the teeth) to get into all the crevices.
Research suggests that people who straighten their teeth with clear aligners experience fewer cavities, less tooth decay, and have fewer gum problems than people who wear braces. To prevent bacteria and calcium buildup, wash your aligner with Invisalign’s cleaning solution after each meal.13
Procedure
To get traditional braces, you’ll start with a thorough dental examination and X-ray imaging. Your orthodontist will secure the brackets to your teeth with bonding adhesive, thread a wire through them, and keep the wire and brackets firmly in place with a series of bands.14
Traditional braces may involve more follow-up visits to the orthodontist over time for tightening and adjustments. After your braces are removed, you might also have to wear a retainer for life to maintain your results.
Getting fitted for aligners starts with a similar process, including a dental examination and imaging. Then, your orthodontist will scan your teeth or make a mold of your teeth to create a series of custom-fit aligner trays.9 They may be temporarily fitted to your teeth with small attachments. You’ll switch to another set of aligners every one to three weeks to gradually realign your teeth.15
It’s important to wear aligners at least 22 hours per day in order to see results.6 If you frequently forget to put your aligners back on, they won’t be effective.
Which Option Is Best for Me?
Both aligners and braces can straighten your teeth, improve your smile, and correct common dental complaints, such as an overbite or underbite. If you’re self-conscious about wearing braces, especially as an adult, you might prefer a more discreet orthodontic device like Invisalign. With aligners, you will also have fewer visits to the orthodontist.
However, aligners aren't right for everyone. If you’ve had previous orthodontic treatments, you might not qualify.
Clear aligners may not be effective if you have certain orthodontic issues, such as:
Rotated teeth
Severe overbite
Severely crowded teeth
Large gaps between the teeth
Dental intrusion or extrusion (tooth displacement)9
In more complex cases, braces are often more effective.9
Invisalign for Adults vs Invisalign for Kids
If your child or teen uses a removable orthodontic device like Invisalign, it’s important that they are willing and able to wear it most of the day to achieve optimal results.
To Book Appointment Call Or Visit Website Now
