Invisalign versus braces; which is better for you?

It is true that when most people envision undertaking orthodontic treatment later in life, they picture wearing a fitted orthodontic brace.

However, depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may be able to straighten your teeth using an invisible aligner instead. But you may have concerns that an invisible aligner will not be able to straighten your teeth in the same way, or as successfully as a brace would.

At Clear Braces Direct, we have been working with invisible aligners like Invisalign London for over 10 years and can state with utter confidence that these aligners are great at straightening mild to moderate cases of dental misalignment.

Still unsure if they are as good as traditional metal braces? In this article, our team will do a brief comparison between Invisalign London and fitted metal braces to help you decide which one may be best for you.

Time span

Concerning time, invisible aligners like Invisalign London take between 3 to 6 months on average to straighten teeth. However, for this to be successful, the patient has to wear the aligners for 22 hours per day. When it comes to wearing a fitted metal brace, the treatment can range more widely depending on the severity of the issue, but for the majority of adult patients who need to wear a fitted brace, you may need to wear it for up to 36 months.

Discomfort

Many people associate fitted metal braces with discomfort, due in part to the fact that they need to be tightened or adjusted for them to move your teeth. Invisible aligners, however, have these adjustments built into their shape and while they do need to apply pressure to your teeth to move them, they are generally considered more comfortable to wear in daily life.

Versatility

When comparing invisible aligners and braces, there is no real competition in this area. Braces have been used in dental practice for well over 100 years and in that time, they have treated a myriad of dental conditions. Invisible aligners are mainly only suitable for people who have mild to moderate cases of dental misalignment. So when comparing them, traditional braces win for their versatility in treating misalignments.

Discretion

Invisible aligners are, as the name suggests, practically invisible and so when comparing them to metal braces, they are certainly the more discreet. However, there are fitted metal braces available today which have brackets that are clear or tooth coloured and may use thinner wires, which can be more discreet than the traditional option. Invisible aligners are custom-fitted to slot over your teeth like a clear sports guard, so they certainly win in the discretion department.

Cost

Many patients are surprised to learn that invisible aligners are sometimes more affordable in adult orthodontic care than a standard fitted brace. This is because invisible aligners do not require adjusting in the same way as fitted braces do. Also, they do not require as many appointments as orthodontic braces and are faster overall, making them more cost-effective. If you have concerns about the cost of clear aligners, talk to our team about financing options.