Invisalign Vs Braces
Do you want to know the secret to achieve a smile you love? Orthodontic treatment! Invisalign and braces are two of the most popular treatments for straightening teeth, but what are they exactly?
Braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets and wires attached to the teeth - while Invisalign is a set of clear, removable aligners that gradually move the teeth into the desired position over time.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing between Invisalign vs. braces, which is why we've created this comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision about which treatment (or combination) is right for you! Let’s dive in.
Differences Between Invisalign Vs. Braces
One of the differences between Invisalign and braces is their appearance. Braces consist of visible metal or ceramic brackets and wires fixed to the teeth, which some people find unsightly. In contrast, Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible, which makes them an attractive option for those who want a more discreet treatment.
Here are some other key differences:
Comfort: Both Invisalign and braces can cause some discomfort during treatment. Braces may cause irritation to the lips and cheeks, and the wires may need to be tightened periodically, which can be uncomfortable. On the other hand, Invisalign aligners are smooth and comfortable to wear, with no sharp edges or wires to irritate the mouth.
Duration of treatment: The duration or length of treatment is typically the same whether you go with Invisalign or Braces.
Cost: At Kunik Orthodontics, the price is the same for either Invisalign or braces. The cost of treatment is determined by the length of your treatment.
Maintenance: Both Invisalign and braces require maintenance throughout the treatment. For braces, the wires and brackets need regular cleaning to avoid plaque buildup and cavities (and you cannot have any hard foods and no hard candy, no chewing on ice, no chewing on pencils, pens, etc. ) Invisalign aligners need to be cleaned every day to prevent discoloration and bad breath and the aligners need to be removed before eating or drinking anything other than water.
Effectiveness: Invisalign and braces are both effective at correcting dental issues such as overcrowding, gaps, and misaligned teeth. Kunik Orthodontics near Georgetown, Texas, is known for doing complex cases with Invisalign or a combo of Invisalign and braces.
Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of Invisalign
Now that we have a general understanding of the difference between Braces Vs. Invisalign, let’s explore the advantages of Invisalign in more detail.
Invisalign Aesthetics: As mentioned earlier, one of the advantages of Invisalign over braces is its aesthetic appeal. Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible, meaning you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. This is particularly appealing to adults or teens who may feel self-conscious about wearing traditional braces.
Convenience of Invisalign: Invisalign aligners are removable, which makes them more convenient than traditional braces. You can easily remove them when you need to eat, brush your teeth, or floss. Additionally, there are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign, as you can remove the aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water.
Invisalign Maintenance: Maintaining good oral hygiene is important during orthodontic treatment, and Invisalign makes it easier to do so. Unlike traditional braces, which can make cleaning and flossing difficult, Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing for easier brushing and flossing.
Specific Advantages of Braces over Invisalign
While Invisalign has many advantages, traditional braces also have their own set of benefits.
Severe dental Issues: In some cases, braces can be a better option for treating more severe dental issues, such as significant crowding or bite problems. The brackets and wires used in braces apply more force to the teeth, allowing for more significant movement than Invisalign aligners. With Invisalign, patients wear rubber bands to fix bite problems (Jaw alignment is only fixed through jaw surgery).
Compliance: While braces require more maintenance than Invisalign, they can also be more forgiving when it comes to compliance. Since braces are not removable, patients don't have to worry about forgetting to wear them or misplacing them. Additionally, since braces cannot be removed during treatment, there is no temptation to snack or eat certain foods that could damage the aligners.
Invisalign vs. Braces: Can be used together to obtain optimum results!
We believe the best treatment plans are custom to the client! Patients like coming to Kunik Orthodontics in Austin, Texas, because we operate off what makes sense for each individual rather than selling a specific product.
Going into any office in the health industry can be frustrating. You don’t feel seen, it doesn’t seem like they care about your time, and they are usually not interested in creating a unique treatment plan just for you. In some cases, we recommend a combination of Invisalign and Braces!
What does it mean to create a unique treatment plan?
Dr. Kunik considers several different factors when deciding on a patient’s treatment plan. Then based on those criteria he decides if braces are the best route or Invisalign. Some of the best plans include limited braces and then switching to Invisalign. If Dr. Kunik feels like the best course of treatment is Invisalign but the patient is worried about compliance, no need to fear, the switch to braces is no additional charge.
What are the criteria Dr. Kunik considers?
Finding out about your lifestyle and tailoring the treatment plan to your life is how Dr. Kunik can achieve optimum results. When you meet with Dr. Kunik or one of his treatment coordinators, they will want to know what your daily life looks like.
What do you do for work?
Do kids keep you busy?
Have you had orthodontics before, and how were your previous orthodontic experiences?
Do you have a timeframe in mind?
Are you trying to hit a deadline like a reunion or wedding?
What are your goals?
What about your smile is distracting to you?
Once they learn about YOU, they can give you advice on a plan that fits YOUR lifestyle and goals.
What is an example of someone who would be advised to use braces and Invisalign together?
We met a 33-year-old woman with a wedding date approaching and smile goals that needed to be met. Dr. Kunik and his treatment coordinators created a plan to deliver the perfect wedding smile. They presented the plan of 8-10 weeks in braces to get vertical movements done quickly and efficiently.
Then, we removed the braces and switched to Invisalign with a few attachments to get the smile just right for the wedding. Two weeks before the wedding, we removed the attachments and gave complimentary at-home teeth whitening. We gave her the smile that made her feel confident and radiant in all her wedding photos.
Another example:
An 18-year-old patient came in with a very high canine and was open to Invisalign or braces. They were leaving for college in 3 months and were not able to come in after they moved away for braces adjustments. Their treatment plan was for 3 months of braces to get the high canine down and level with the other teeth quickly, and then before moving to college, remove the braces and switch to Invisalign. We were able to mail the Invisalign trays to our patient and then watch their progress through a program we offer called Dental Monitoring.
Does it cost more to use braces and Invisalign together?
Dr. Kunik sees both Invisalign and braces as tools we can use to align teeth. The cost of treatment at Kunik Orthodontics is not dependent on the tool we use, instead, we base our treatment fees on the length of treatment. Our treatment plan can range from 4 months to 30 months depending on the level of difficulty of each case. During the treatment length, we will use any tool available to us to get you the desired result.
How do I find out my recommended treatment plan?
We strive to make exams as convenient as possible. We offer virtual exams or we have in-person exams.
In-person exams can be with Dr. Kunik or with one of his treatment coordinators depending on availability and patient preference. We love to be the first, second, or even third opinion if you would like to hear what we can do for you. We see everyone from ages 7- 99.
Schedule your FREE consultation here. We are looking forward to meeting you!
