Are crooked teeth ruining your life?
About one-third of Americans are unhappy with the way their smile looks. Out of those unhappy adults, about 36% of them believe they’d have a more fulfilling social life if they had a more attractive smile.
If you feel like bad teeth are holding you back in life, then it’s time to explore your teeth straightening options. To help you out, this article will explore the pros and cons of choosing clear braces vs Invisalign. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll finally have a good idea of what straightening treatment is right for you.
Read on to learn all about Invisalign vs clear braces.
Differences Between Clear Braces vs Invisalign
Let’s start by reviewing the differences between clear braces vs Invisalign. First, you’ll find that Invisalign is a lot more transparent than clear braces. Oftentimes, friends and family members won’t even notice you’re using Invisalign until you point it out. While clear braces are discrete, the brackets are easier to notice than an Invisalign retainer.
Next, you can remove Invisalign, whereas ceramic braces are fixed in place. Since you can remove Invisalign retainers, you’ll have an easier time keeping up with your dental hygiene while you have braces. However, it can be cumbersome having to remove the Invisalign retainer every time you want to eat or drink something other than water.
Moving on, if you decide to get Invisalign, you may end up visiting the dentist more often than you would with clear braces. This is because your Invisalign trays will have to be changed about every 2 weeks, whereas your clear braces only need adjustments every 4-6 weeks.
Finally, when it comes to choosing the right type of adult braces, the type of dental issue your correcting is a big deciding factor. Clear braces are usually the go-to choice when you have to fix extreme issues, such as overly crooked teeth, and crossbites.
Advantages of Clear Braces for Adults
Clear braces use ceramic material, instead of metal, to create the brackets for your braces. You can also opt to have the clear brackets colored to match the natural shade of your teeth. The material used to make clear braces is less abrasive than the materials used to make metal ones.
As a result, clear braces give the advantage of being discrete, without being overly harsh on your cheeks and gums. One of the biggest advantages of using clear braces, rather than Invisalign, is the amount of time it’ll take to straighten your teeth. Depending on the dental condition your braces are fixing, clear braces can straighten your teeth in as little as 12 months.
If you have an extreme dental condition to correct, clear braces can start delivering results within the year. Invisalign, on the other hand, usually takes at least 18 months, even if you’re only correcting a minor dental issue.
Drawbacks of Clear Braces
Now, let’s take a peek at the downside of using clear braces. While ceramic braces are less abrasive than metal ones, the material can still irritate your lips and teeth. Since the ceramic material is harder than your tooth enamel, you can wind up wearing down your teeth if they rub up against the braces.
Finally, the clear elastic wires holding the ceramic brackets together will most likely stain your teeth. Thankfully, a whitening treatment can be the perfect solution for handling post-braces stains.
Advantages of Invisalign for Adults
Comfort is one of the biggest advantages of using Invisalign for adults. Once you get used to wearing the Invisalign retainer, it’s easy to forget that it’s there!
Next, you’ll find it’s very easy to maintain your Invisalign aligners. Simply scrub your aligners every other day with a little bit of bleach and water, and you’ll be good to go!
Finally, when you have your initial Invisalign consultation, you can request before and after pictures. Using high tech scanners, and computer software, orthodontists can create a 3D model of your mouth. Your orthodontist can then use the 3D model to show you what your smile will look like as you complete each stage of the Invisalign process.
Invisalign Cons
Arguably the biggest drawback to using Invisalign is that it isn’t effective at treating severe bite issues. However, as Invisalign continues to evolve, soon it’ll be able to handle more than just mild to moderate bite problems.
Another downside to using Invisalign is that you have to be very disciplined to get your desired results. For instance, the Invisalign retainer has to be in your mouth for 22 hours a day to be effective. Since you take the aligners out of your mouth for eating and brushing your teeth, it can be easy to forget to put them back in.
You’ll also find that you have to cut down on your snacking since the aligner can’t be in your mouth when you eat. Of course, becoming more disciplined about your dental hygiene, while also cutting down on snack time, can wind up benefiting your health in the long run!
Last but not least, another drawback to using Invisalign is that sometimes the treatment requires the use of enamel colored attachments. Your orthodontist will cement the attachments to your teeth, and they’ll stay in place for the duration of your treatment.
Making the Right Choice for Your Smile
Now you know the top pros and cons for clear braces vs Invisalign. After reading this article, which treatment option do you think is right for you?
Remember, if you have a severe bite issue, you’ll most likely need the help of sturdy clear braces. However, if you’re treating a more mild condition, Invisalign could be the perfect choice.
Go ahead and reach out to an orthodontist today to explore what treatment option would provide you with the best results. For more helpful tips like the ones in this article, explore the rest of this site.
