Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Is Right for You?

Did you know that nine in ten of us have teeth that are at least slightly misaligned?

Whilst for some this isn’t a major issue, for many, the misalignment is enough to require treatment.

If you’re straightening your teeth you have two main options: braces and Invisalign.

Which is the better option? Read on as we compare braces vs. Invisalign to see which is the right choice for you.

Effectiveness

One of the most important factors in your decision will be how effective each method is for your particular case.

Invisalign isn’t usually recommended for more complex orthodontic cases. If your case is fairly simple, then both Invisalign and braces will do an excellent job of straightening your teeth.

If your case is more complex, however, then it’s likely that getting braces will be by far your best option.

Dental Visits

If you’re not a fan of visiting the dentist, then Invisalign might be the better choice.

That’s because, with traditional braces, you’ll need to visit the orthodontist every few weeks to have your braces adjusted and make sure that everything is going according to plan. If you opt for Invisalign, you only need to visit the orthodontist once every three months or so.

You will need to change to a new set of aligners every couple of weeks, however, so this is something you need to remember to do on your own.

Ease of Use

This brings us to our next point.

Braces require very little input from the wearer. You’ll need to keep them clean of course, but once your braces are they’ll stay on until the job is done, and there’s nothing you need to do with them yourself.

With Invisalign, you need to remember to take them out when you eat and then remember to put them back in again afterward. You should wear your invisible aligners for around 22 hours a day, and if you forget to put them back in it can make your treatment take all that much longer.

You’ll also need to remember to change to the next set of aligners on the right schedule.

Aesthetics

A major benefit for invisible aligners is their aesthetics. That’s because when they’re in place, they’re barely visible.

Braces, on the other hand, are clearly visible. If you’re worried about feeling self-conscious about your braces then you might want to opt for Invisalign.

Cost

The final deciding factor is the cost. The approximate cost of Invisalign treatment is a little more expensive than traditional braces. If money is an issue, then braces are probably the way to go.

Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Will You Choose?

We hope that this breakdown of the pros and cons of braces vs. Invisalign will have helped you in your decision.

Your choice will come down to a number of factors; indeed, you may have the decision taken out of your hands if Invisalign isn’t suitable for your particular case. Talk to your dentist and discuss your options and then you can make an informed decision.

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