Orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign can straighten your teeth and give you a huge boost of confidence at the same time. However, which one is the right choice?
Nine out of every 10 people have crooked teeth, and if you’re one of those people, you might be tired of seeing that gap between your front teeth in every family photo.
You aren’t stuck with it forever. There are solutions.
When it comes to choosing between Invisalign and braces, you have to think about your oral health goals. Make sure you start by asking yourself the following questions.
DO YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY?
Depending on the condition of your teeth, you can end up spending $6,000 (or more) on your braces. Even if all your teeth need is a few small adjustments, you’ll be lucky if you spend anything less than $2,500.
Because of this, you may want to keep the costs as low as possible.
To do this, you’ll want to stick with traditional braces. While the price of Invisalign is getting more and more affordable over the years, they still tend to cost more than metal braces. If saving money is your main goal, don’t pick Invisalign.
IS A NATURAL APPEARANCE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Braces may be cheaper than Invisalign, and they will work, but they come with a slight disadvantage. The metal in your mouth. Your teeth will be covered in brackets and strong wires, which you’ll show off to the world every time you smile or speak.
This might make you feel embarrassed or like you’re back in high school.
Invisalign keeps this metal off your teeth. The trays are clear and hug tight against your teeth, so people may not even be able to notice them. This can be a good choice if you’re working in a professional field and don’t want your team members or clients distracted from what you’re saying by what’s in your mouth.
Keep in mind, braces can look more “grown-up” and elegant. You can choose lingual braces (braces that attach to the inside of your teeth) or clear braces that are much harder to see. These can be good options if you want or need braces for your orthodontic treatment.
DO YOU WANT THEM OFF AS FAST AS POSSIBLE?
Straightening your teeth can be an uncomfortable or inconvenient experience, regardless of whether you choose braces or Invisalign. You may want to get them off your teeth as soon as possible after your treatment starts.
If speed is what you’re looking for, choose braces.
For many people, wearing braces will fix oral problems much faster than Invisalign. This isn’t always true, though, especially for people who only need minor straightening. Make sure you talk to your orthodontist about your goals before settling on one or the other.
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT PAIN?
Orthodontic services can be painful, especially if you have a low pain tolerance.
As the teeth move to a new spot in your mouth, they can feel sore. Chewning can become painful for short periods of time, and you might need to take over-the-counter pain medication to find relief.
But braces take this discomfort to another level.
Instead of using a tray to guide your teeth into place, braces require stiff wires. As your teeth move, the wire will stick out the last brackets at the back of your mouth, which can cut your cheek. The orthodontist will also have to change your wire often—an uncomfortable process.
While any pain you get from either treatment option should be manageable, to keep it as pain-free as you can, you should get Invisalign.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP EATING YOUR FAVORITE FOODS?
Cutting all your favorite foods out of your diet for the next few months or even years can be difficult. If you start wearing braces, you’ll have to avoid foods like:
- Hard or sticky candy
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Crunchy foods, like vegetables and fruits
- Pretzels
- Hard crackers
- Hard chips
- Soda
- Chewing gum
- Ice cubs
- Etc.
You’ll either have to start chopping a lot of your food into small pieces or keep it off your plate altogether. Since you can take Invisalign on and off, you can stick to your normal diet. This can make eating much more enjoyable and easier, especially if you have strict eating requirements.
DOES SPENDING HOURS IN THE BATHROOM BRUSHING YOUR TEETH SOUND MISERABLE TO YOU?
When you wear braces, brushing your teeth becomes even more annoying than it was before the treatment. Scraps of food can get stuck between brackets and under the wire, so you’ll need special tools to keep your teeth clean. Brushing and flossing around all that metal in your mouth can leave you in the bathroom for a long time after every meal.
But you don’t have to change much with Invisalign.
All you have to do is pop the trays out of your mouth and brush and floss like normal. Just remember to clean the trays as well.
ORTHODONTICS NEAR ME: SCHEDULING A CONSULTATION TO TALK ABOUT YOUR INVISALIGN VS BRACES OPTIONS TODAY!
Picking the right choice between Invisalign vs braces depends on what you want out of the treatment, but it has a lot to do with the condition of your teeth as well. For some people, one of these treatment options might be a better fit than the other, so it’s important to have a conversation with your orthodontist to walk you through the pros and cons of each one.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Indian Land Orthodontics to set up a consultation today! We’ll help you pick the best orthodontic service for your needs and make sure you stay as comfortable as possible during the straightening process.