Overview: Invisalign and braces both straighten teeth effectively, so the better choice comes down to your case and lifestyle. Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners and suits people who want a discreet option and will wear them consistently. Braces are fixed and often better for complex corrections. A dentist’s assessment confirms which fits you.
What are braces and what are aligners?
| Braces | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | More visible | Virtually invisible |
| Removability | Non-removable | Removable |
| Comfort | May cause discomfort | More comfortable (without irritation from wires and brackets) |
| Maintenance | Requires more effort (cleaning brackets and wires during daily oral routine) | Requires compliance (wearing aligners for at least 22 hours a day) |
| Frequency of Dentist Visits | More frequent (about once a month) | Less frequent (about 1-3 months) |
| Cost | More affordable | May be costlier (due to advanced technology and issuance of new aligners at each interval) |
| Options | Ceramic Braces Coloured Braces Damon Braces | Invisalign ClearCorrect Reveal Clear Aligners |
| Retainers | To comply with wearing for life after completing orthodontic treatment (wear retainers every night for the next 12 months, then gradually reduce to at least once a week in the long run) | |
How do you know if you need braces/aligners
Typically, the primary goal of seeking orthodontic treatments is to straighten teeth. Individuals may have concerns related to teeth alignment, which could affect their bite, result in jaw pain, impact speech, or they simply want a straighter and more confident smile.
Misalignment can be in various forms, and braces and aligners can address the following issues:
- Gaps/Spacing between teeth
- Overcrowded teeth, causing them to be pushed, overlapped, or twisted
- Protruding teeth
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Open Bite
- Crossbite
How do I decide between Braces vs Invisalign?
In making the decision between braces and aligners, it is advisable for patients to schedule an initial consultation. This allows our dentists to provide personalised advice based on an assessment of your teeth condition, complexity, and understanding of your specific needs and requirements.
Braces are beneficial for someone who is:
- Diligent and willing to put in effort for daily brushing and oral care.
- Indifferent to the appearance of braces.
- Willing to avoid certain foods, particularly those that are hard or sticky.
- Seeking a cost-effective option for addressing complex conditions.
Aligners are beneficial for someone who:
- Prefers aesthetics and comfort during their orthodontic treatment journey.
- Prefers no restrictions on their food choices.
- Is looking for the convenience to clean their teeth easily, as aligners can be removed for oral care.
What to Expect for Differences in Treatment Procedure
It usually begins with an initial consultation to evaluate your teeth condition, including a 3D iTero digital scan with x-rays for a comprehensive oral examination and a more accurate analysis.
You will return for a follow-up consultation where we explain the results from the initial scans and evaluation. We will then proceed with the suitable treatment plan, whether it’s braces or aligners.
For braces, we will proceed with the necessary cleaning, attaching brackets, placing arch wires, and guiding you in maintaining proper oral hygiene during the time you have your braces on.
For aligners, we will prepare your custom-made aligners, which are expected to be ready after a wait of about 4-6 weeks. Once ready, they will be issued to you, and our dentist will guide you in using them correctly and comfortably. You will switch to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks.
During your treatment journey, you’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments for our dentist to monitor your progress. For braces, you’ll need to return about once per month, while for aligners, it will be less frequent (anytime within 1 to 3 months).
When your treatment journey comes to a close, we’ll remove any attachments, give your teeth a thorough cleaning, and perform a final iTero scan to produce your post-treatment retainers.
Who to Look for in Orthodontic Treatments?
At Royce Dental, we have been actively involved in orthodontics from the beginning, with a team of professionals and specialists to provide the right care and advice for your treatment.
With a strong core of 15 Invisalign accredited dental practitioners, including 10 orthodontists, Royce Dental Group is an ideal choice of clinic to begin your orthodontic treatment journey.
