In the past, when a person’s teeth were misaligned, crowded, or had gaps, traditional wire-based braces were the solution. As technology improved, however, invisible braces or Invisalign® became another option. What are the differences between traditional braces vs. Invisalign? Which one is best?
Invisalign Aligners Are Clear & Comfortable
Metal braces are obvious every time you smile. Sometimes people put off getting braces because they don’t like the look of the metal brackets. However Invisalign aligners are clear. They are made of plastic which is flexible, subtle, and much more comfortable.
Invisalign Aligners Are Removable
Traditional braces are not removable. The brackets are bonded to the teeth and then connected with wires and elastics. You also must take special care when cleaning your teeth. There’s a lot of extra stuff in your mouth to brush around. Additionally, food easily gets stuck in braces and you have to avoid some foods. With Invisalign, you remove the aligners when you eat and brush your teeth. Therefore it’s much easier to maintain good oral hygiene. Eating is much easier too!
Braces Require More Maintenance Than Invisalign
The wires need to be tightened on traditional braces and sometimes even the brackets need to be replaced. No adjustments need to be made to the clear aligners. Dr. LaChance creates a 3-D image of your smile and the aligners are specifically made to move your teeth a little at a time. The aligners are replaced every two weeks. Here at Greenway Dental, we send you home with multiple sets to save you time. And speaking of time, Invisalign aligners are usually considerably faster at straightening your teeth than metal braces.
Braces Can Fix More Serious Alignment Issues
Clear aligners use gentle force, so they are intended for patients with mild to moderate alignment issues. Serious alignment and spacing issues will usually require traditional braces. You can check out the guidelines on Invisalign’s web page for more information. Be sure to call us at Greenway Dental to set up a consultation with Dr. LaChance to see if you qualify.
Come See Us at Greenway Dental
Invisalign therapy can give you the straighter smile you desire. Don’t wait to get started. We have flexible payment options to make it affordable. Call us today and we’ll start the process!
