Which is better for you; Invisalign or standard braces? A comparison by the Dental Retreat
In modern dentistry, if you want to have your teeth realigned as an adult, it can be easy to assume that this will mean you need to wear a metal brace.
Thanks to advances in orthodontic treatment, many people who have mild to moderate misalignments can obtain the results they want with the use of an invisible aligner.
But are these popular orthodontic options as good as metal braces? Or are they better?
At the Dental Retreat, we have used both metal braces and invisible aligners like Invisalign Macleod to help our patients achieve straighter teeth. We know the pros and cons of both and can advise you on which technique would be better for you when trying to get the straighter smile that you deserve. Great stuff!
Here, our team has broken down the facts about Invisalign Macleod and traditional braces, to compare them across key areas that our patients ask us about. So, read on and enjoy!
Lifestyle-friendly
OK, as an adult, wearing a metal brace is probably going to impact your confidence and your food choices. Not to mention the extensive cleaning that wearing a brace requires.
With Invisalign Macleod, you can remove it to eat, it is visually very discreet and it requires no extensive cleaning, making it more suitable for adult life.
Winner- Invisible aligners.
Comfort
There is no such thing as a comfortable orthodontic tool.
But regular braces use pulling methods (or tightening) to move the teeth. Invisible aligners gently push the teeth, using pre-shaped aligners which do not require tightening.
Patients who have used both state that invisible options are generally more comfortable so, this round has to go to the invisible aligners!
Winner- Invisible aligners.
Treatment time
With adult orthodontics, using a metal brace can take up to 36 months in severe cases.
With invisible aligners, the average treatment time is 3-6 months, meaning you can pre-plan this treatment in advance for events like weddings or graduations.
Winner- Invisible aligners.
Appointments
As we mentioned earlier, with regular braces, you will need to have them tightened for your teeth to move. And depending on the severity of your misalignment, these appointments can occur every 6-8 weeks.
With invisible aligners, you will need to attend check-ups but they will be more spaced apart. And, with some brands of invisible aligners, there is an app that you can use to send images to our team, once again reducing appointments and their frequencies.
Winner-Invisible aligners.
Results
With invisible aligners, there are only certain issues that can be corrected.
Historically, metal braces have been able to correct the majority of orthodontic issues with ease, making them a mainstay in dental care today.
So, based on the versatility of the standard metal brace, this round has to go to them!
Winner- Metal brace.
The verdict
Overall, it seems that aligners offer more advantages than standard braces.
Metal braces are aimed at severe cases, so if we suggest them to you, we can assure you that the results will be striking! Brilliant!
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.