What Are the Advantages of Invisalign Over Other Types of Braces?

What is Invisalign?

The clear aligner system consists of a series of clear plastic trays worn over your teeth. The aligners are custom-made and straighten your teeth gradually. The aligners are nearly invisible meaning you can smile confidently as your smile improves. Our orthodontists Dr Martin and Dr Geoff share

Clear aligners are generally more comfortable and less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They provide the benefit of orthodontic treatment with less discomfort and disruption to lifestyle and day-to-day routine.

What are the Key Differences Between Invisalign Aligners and Braces?

Comfort, convenience and appearance have meant that clear aligners such as Invisalign are a popular orthodontic treatment for children and adults. The added flexibility of being removable means diet restrictions and difficulty brushing and flossing are a thing of the past.

Appearance

Invisalign’s manufacturing process and the absence of metal brackets and wires means the aligners are almost completely invisible. Made from a clear plastic (acrylic) material, they are even more discreet than ceramic braces.

When considering discrete orthodontic treatments, lingual braces are often the benchmark thanks to their unique position. They mount the rear of your teeth and are almost entirely hidden from view. As a result, lingual braces may cause more discomfort than clear aligners. This is because the brackets and wires of lingual braces are positioned closer to the soft tissues in the mouth.

Thanks to the unique nature of Invisalign, the treatment is more discreet than both ceramic and lingual braces.

Comfort

When choosing between Invisalign treatment and braces, it’s hard not to consider the comfort advantages that clear aligners offer. Invisalign clear aligners are carefully crafted from a material named SmartTrack® and precisely adjusted to suit your mouth. This means the clear trays can move teeth gradually without causing discomfort in delicate areas such as the gums, cheeks and tongue.

Convenience

Clear aligner treatment gives you the ability to remove the trays when eating and drinking. This means you can enjoy your favourite foods without worrying about damage to brackets and wires.

Maintaining the health of your teeth and gums is also easier. Unlike braces, there are fewer areas to trap food, reducing the likelihood of plaque buildup. Being removable makes thorough brushing and flossing easier.

Patient Compliance

Patient compliance is an important part of orthodontic treatment using clear aligners. Your aligners will need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day for best results. Consistent wear guides your teeth into their desired positions in line with your treatment plan.

If the clear aligners aren’t worn for the recommended time, your progress and eventual results may be compromised. You should only remove Invisalign to eat, drink brush and floss.

Disadvantages of Invisalign

If you are considering Invisalign, it’s important to review the potential drawbacks. While your orthodontist will explain the pros and cons to you in detail, here are a few of the common disadvantages.

Invisalign For Complex Cases

Clear aligner treatment has proven to be effective for mild orthodontic issues. It does have limitations and may not be suitable for more complex cases. These can include severe misalignment, large gaps, rotations, severe crowding and bite issues. Your orthodontist will carefully assess your conditions and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Cost of Clear Aligners

Generally speaking, Invisalign orthodontic treatment can be more expensive than regular orthodontic treatment such as braces. During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will give you a detailed treatment plan that includes the total cost of clear aligner treatment.

Imitation Brands of Clear Aligners

Like most treatments, there are always imitation offerings that claim to offer the same results at a lower cost. While they may be cheaper initially, they usually include compromises and may not achieve the same results.

Specialist Orthodontists – Ensure your chosen orthodontist is an accredited Invisalign orthodontist. Proper planning, treatment and monitoring are crucial for correcting any orthodontic issues as safely and efficiently as possible.

Clear Aligner Accuracy – Precise manufacture of aligners is only possible with advanced imaging and 3D scanning. Without these, clear aligners may fit poorly and cause unnecessary discomfort to teeth and gums.

Treatment Duration Length – Your orthodontists will always work to achieve your desired results as quickly and efficiently as possible. Inferior brands may compromise results or end up taking longer to correct issues.

Higher Overall Costs – Although the initial costs of imitations and alternatives may be lower, compromised treatment can result in additional costs. These can include corrective orthodontic treatment and restorative dental treatment.

Making The Decision Between Braces or Invisalign

Invisalign is a great option for correcting simple orthodontic issues discretely. The process of choosing between Invisalign and traditional braces isn’t something you need to do alone. Your orthodontist will discuss all the pros and cons, and help you decide between Invisalign and braces. Your orthodontist will guide you through the process of choosing the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

If you’d like to know which treatment will be best for you, get in touch with our team for your free assessment today.