Invisalign vs Braces – Which Is The Better Option For You?

Orthodontics has evolved in recent years from just conventional braces to other available options including Invisalign. Both Invisalign and braces have their pros and cons, and it is important to consider them before deciding on the right orthodontic treatment option.

Invisalign vs Braces:When to Seek Orthodontic Treatment

Before evaluating which option is the better choice, first consider whether you require orthodontic treatment to improve your smile.

People are now more conscious of their smile than any other feature of the face. Creating a great first impression is important whether on a first date, a job interview or a video call.

For young people, starting out in life, a beautiful smile gives confidence and makes them feel attractive.

If your teeth appear to be misaligned, it is best to consult a dentist to correct those problems as left untreated, the problem can worsen and lead to other health problems such as tooth-loss due to impaction, gum disease and tooth decay.

So if your teeth appear to be crooked, have wide spaces, are impacted or you suffer from overbite, underbite or crossbite, it’s best to consult an orthodontist.

Now let’s compare Invisalign and braces to decide which option is best for you.

Are You Best Suited For Braces or Invisalign?

Braces are a good choice for children, teenagers and people who have mild to complex teeth-alignment issues. It is also more suitable for people who lack the discipline to put their aligners back on after eating and brushing teeth.

Invisalign allows the straightening of teeth in a way that doesn’t show any wires brackets and allows users to eat comfortably as the trays can be taken out to eat.

If you have teeth alignment problems, participate in sporting activities that require aligners to be removed or are looking for a discreet teeth alignment option for braces, then Invisalign is the best option for you.

Invisalign versus Braces – The Treatment

Braces: When placing braces, a cheek retractor keeps teeth dry and visible throughout the procedure. To ensure brackets bond properly, teeth are first polished and then air-dried.

To prepare the teeth for the brackets and bonding, a conditioner is applied on the surfaces of the teeth for around 30 seconds and cleaned off. The teeth are dried and an adhesive primer is put on them.

Cement is put on the back of the brackets and the brackets are then placed on the teeth. Once in place, excess cement is removed and a high-intensity light is used to harden the brackets into place. To complete the procedure, the cheek retractor is removed and the dental arch wires are put into place.

Invisalign: Your dentist will examine your mouth and advise you if you are suitable for Invisalign treatment. The next step is the digital scanning process during which photographs, a digital scan, and x-rays are taken to prepare a model of the mouth and teeth. These are then sent to a laboratory for creating custom aligner trays.

Once the Invisalign Aligner trays are prepared, your dentist will fit small attachments to your teeth which are needed for the trays to stay in place. These temporary attachments are clear and almost invisible. Your dentist will then fit your aligners and provide you with instructions on caring for your teeth.

A few weeks after the first tray is fitted, your dentist will check the fit of the tray and your tooth movements. Your dentist will periodically need to check progress and provide additional aligners whenever they may be required.

At FY smile, we make use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assess your oral health remotely, so you don’t need to visit the clinic repeatedly for an in-person appointment, unless it is required.

Post Treatment Care for Braces and Invisalign

To get the most out of your investment, it is important to follow the recommended after-care procedures recommended by your dentist.

Braces: Brush teeth twice daily and ensure that the brackets are thoroughly cleaned as well.

When flossing, make sure to floss around wires daily and use an interdental brush if needed to clean spaces that may be difficult to reach because of the wires.

Invisalign: Every time the aligners are removed from the mouth, rinse them with lukewarm water to prevent bacteria from building up. Every morning and night gently clean the aligner trays and rinse with lukewarm water using a soft bristled brush and toothpaste.

After removing aligners, brush teeth normally after every meal to avoid trapped food particles and staining.

Follow-up appointments

Since your teeth will shift during the alignment process, they will need to be inspected periodically by your dentist.

Braces: You will require follow-up appointments every four to eight weeks to check progress, tightening of braces and replacement of wires, if required.

Invisalign: Follow-up appointments are generally required every six weeks and new sets of aligners are provided. Aligners need to be changed every week and monitored through AI to gradually move your teeth into position.

Which Treatment Can Be Completed Faster – Braces or Invisalign?

Considering that braces are required for people who have moderate to complex teeth misalignment, the treatment for braces requires between 6 to 24 months depending on the complexity of the condition. Throughout the treatment, the braces remain fixed and cannot be removed.

Invisalign treatment is also generally completed within 6 to 24 months, depending on the condition of the teeth. Best results are obtained when people follow proper instructions and ensure they wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.

Invisalign versus Braces – Which Treatment is More Affordable?

Braces are generally the cheaper option compared to Invisalign treatment in Australia.

However, only a visit to a dentist can determine which treatment will cost you less as prices can differ based on how complex your dental issues are as well as the treatment duration.

Traditional metal braces are the cheapest, whereas ceramic braces are less conspicuous and cost a little more.

While selecting braces, there are now more choices such as the type of material and color which can affect the price. Depending on the type of braces you choose, they could cost between $4,000 and $8,500.

You can expect to pay between $4000-$9500 for Invisalign treatment, which is usually a little more expensive than metal or ceramic braces.

Whether you choose braces or Invisalign, at FY Smile, we offer payment plans to spread the cost of treatment. This makes the treatment more affordable as it is not covered by Medicare and may not be covered under extras offered by your private health insurance provider.

Improving your smile by straightening your teeth should not be taken lightly. If you’re looking for help in deciding whether braces or Invisalign is the right choice for you, click here to book a virtual consultation.