If you have crooked, crowded, or uneven teeth choosing between getting braces or Invisalign can be a tough decision. Here at Bonnells Bay Dental, we offer both braces and Invisalign treatments which is why we’ve made the ultimate cheat sheet to help you decide what’s best for you!
How do they work?
There are three main types of braces that we use in dentistry: metal, ceramic and lingual. They all look a little bit different but they essential do the same thing and use force to move your teeth into a straighter, aligned position over time.
Traditional metal braces are probably what you’re thinking of right now. Metal brackets attached to the front of your teeth, connecting to each other with little wires, but did you know some braces are fitted onto the backs of your teeth?
Lingual braces are virtually the same as traditional ones, but the metal brackets are bonded behind your teeth, so they are not as easily seen when you smile.
Invisalign on the other hand is very hard to see even with a closer inspection.
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable plastic trays, that we call aligners, that fit over your teeth. The aligners are custom-made to fit only your teeth and must be changed approximately every two to four weeks to slowly move teeth into their desired position. They work best when worn 22 – 23 hours a day!
Pros and Cons of Braces
Pros
- With braces, no matter how difficult your case is, braces can fix it!
- Braces can achieve an almost perfect result due to the amount of force used
- Braces are generally much faster than Invisalign, once again due to the amount of force placed on your teeth
Cons
- Aesthetically, they don’t look fantastic, and a lot of people complain they don’t feel confident enough to show their teeth to people
- They can be painful, having your teeth forced into a new position can cause pain and discomfort
- Cleaning your teeth when you have braces is much more involved. If you don’t brush and floss correctly, you can risk plaque build up around the braces that can mean staining and decay
- You must be careful what foods you eat. Sticky or hard foods can damage the braces, meaning they will be useless until you can get them repaired.
Pros and Cons of Invisalign
Pros
- Most people won’t even notice that you are wearing Invisalign and getting orthodontic treatment!
- With Invisalign you don’t have to worry about changing your diet. Simply take your aligner out before eating and enjoy all the foods you like.
- Because of this you won’t get food stuck in your teeth, like with braces, meaning you don’t have to take extra care cleaning your teeth
- Invisalign is much more comfortable than braces. With braces, your gums and mouth can often get cuts which means salt washes to avoid further pain and infection
Cons
- You need to be disciplined. Because you can take out your Invisalign aligners, it’s easy to forget to put them back in
- Putting your aligners in and out can be awkward and inconvenient, especially in public.
- They’re not suitable for everyone.
What’s next?
Now that you’ve heard both sides, it’s time to get a professional’s opinion on what they think is best for you.
We have many highly qualified dentists who can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Get in contact with us here to book your consultation appointment!