Braces Or Invisalign

We live in a world where a smile can open doors. A beautiful smile may be all that is standing between you and a better job, better relationships and overall happiness as some studies suggest. For that, more and more people are starting to take care of their teeth and smiles. With that, the demand for braces has increased almost ten-fold. Braces is a cosmetic procedure that can straighten your teeth and give you a beautiful smile of dreams.

However, braces come at a great cost. They look awful, are quite uncomfortable, and they take a whole lot of time before starting to show effect. Modern technologies have all directed their efforts into solving these problems. One of the latest – and greatest – technologies in the field of braces is Invisalign, which came about to solve almost every problem with traditional braces. But still, Invisalign has some disadvantages. So the question really beckons: “braces or Invisalign?”.

 

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What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a new technology in the world of braces. Instead of the old fashioned brackets and wires made of metal, it is a system of plastic, transparent molds called aligners. The aligners apply pressure to your teeth, and so they move to the desired location.

When choosing which type of braces is best for you, it all comes down to a set of pros and cons for both types.

For traditional braces:

Pros:

• Fast, easy and reliable.
• They give full control to the orthodontist, so adjustments are easy.
• They cost far less than Invisalign.
  

  Cons:

• Their appearance is appalling.
• They are very uncomfortable. The brackets and wires cut into the gums, cheeks and lips, causing ulcers and injuries.
• They are slower than Invisalign, so the overall treatment time is increased.
• You would need to visit the orthodontist more often, usually once a month.
• Oral hygiene (especially flossing) is a complete nightmare
  

  For Invisalign:

  Pros:

• It looks great, practically invisible.
• Can be removed at will. This means far more comfort, and easier teeth cleaning so improves the oral hygiene.
• The pressure movement is gentle, so causes little to no discomfort even when you’re wearing them.
• The aligners are computer made. This makes them incredibly accurate, with virtually zero chance of human errors.
• They are a lot faster acting. Treatment times are reduced greatly compared to traditional braces.
• The aligners are given in sets, and each is worn for an increased period of time. This means you would need to visit the orthodontist far less compared to braces. This option is very appealing especially to people who often travel, or have very little time in their lives for a dental visit.
  

  Cons:

• The effect totally depends on you. If you wear the aligners regularly, you would see the results very quickly. If you are lethargic, then your teeth won’t move, and the treatment time is increased greatly.
• The aligners are made of very thin plastic. This makes them quite weak and vulnerable to breakage, especially during insertion and removal.
• It are quite costly compared to traditional braces.

Final Verdict : Braces or Invisalign?

It all comes down to you and what you expect from your treatment. If you need a fast and reliable option, and able to power through the appearance and the discomfort, then by all means go for traditional braces. On the other hand, if appearance is key for you, and a little more money is not an issue, then Invisalign is definitely the right choice for you.