If you are considering braces vs Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you may have some questions. Which is more affordable? Which is more effective? Which is more comfortable? Ultimately you want to choose the system that works best for your smile.
What is the Difference Between Braces vs Invisalign?
Both braces and Invisalign are designed to straighten crooked, gapped or misaligned teeth to improve your smile and oral health.
Braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets, archwires and rubber bands that are tightened and adjusted over a period of approximately 24 months to gradually move misaligned teeth along the gumline to their correct position.
Invisalign uses a series of custom made clear plastic trays that are changed every 2 weeks and apply gentle pressure to make your teeth conform to the shape of the tray.
Invisalign vs Braces: Which is Better?
When it comes to choosing Invisalign vs braces there are some important factors to consider.
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Appearance
Braces are more noticeable which can affect your self-confidence in social and work situations. This is more pronounced if you need to wear headgear to correct severe jaw misalignment.
Invisalign aligners are constructed from clear thermoplastic which makes them almost invisible, even in photographs.
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Ease of Use
Braces are more disruptive to your everyday life and require modifications to your diet and a specialised oral hygiene routine to remove trapped food around the brackets and to floss between each tooth.
To be effective Invisalign trays are worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day, which means you can remove them to eat, drink, brush and floss without disrupting the movement of your teeth.
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Comfort
Many patients report better comfort when wearing Invisalign vs braces. The metal brackets and wires used in braces can irritate the soft tissue inside the mouth and can even impact your ability to speak clearly.
Invisalign aligner trays are custom-made to fit your mouth. Your dentist uses 3D scanning technology and X-rays to take digital images of your teeth which are then sent to an offsite lab. The prefabricated series of bespoke BPA-free smooth plastic trays fit over your teeth, so you don’t have to deal with soft tissue abrasions.
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Length of Treatment
Teeth straightening using braces can take between 18-24 months to see visible results, During this time, you visit your orthodontist every 6-8 weeks for adjustments and wire tightening.
With clear aligner trays like Invisalign, you may see straighter teeth in as little as 12 months, depending on the condition you are trying to correct. You switch to the next aligner in the series every couple of weeks and visit your dentist occasionally so they can monitor your progress.
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Cost
Cost is a consideration when choosing between Invisalign vs braces. Due to the shorter treatment time and the reduced need to visit your dentist for continual adjustments, Invisalign may be a more cost-effective way to straighten your teeth.
Begin Your Journey to Straighter Teeth
If you are seeking a fast, convenient, discreet and comfortable way to straighten your teeth, Invisalign aligners are a good choice. At Bright Dental Group, we believe that Invisalign is a worthwhile investment in your smile and we offer affordable payment plans through Zip Money so all our patients can enjoy beautiful, straight teeth and good oral health.
Call our Glenmore Park practice on (02) 4708 9691 to book a consultation and to discuss your orthodontic options.
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