Traditional braces and Invisalign are two of the most popular ways to straighten crooked teeth. Both are very successful in what they do, giving you a straighter smile. But which one is the best method for you?
Traditional Metal Braces
The traditional method of treatment is braces. They use a system of metal brackets and wires that slowly straighten your teeth. Each month, you go to get the wires of the braces tightened, which is how the braces move and shift your teeth into places. Usually, an orthodontist is the only type of medical professional that can apply and manage braces.
Braces are still the best way to treat severe orthodontic cases. Invisalign isn’t able to treat extremely crooked teeth or bite issues. But braces do usually take longer to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign, you change your aligners every two weeks. Braces require you to go to the office to tighten them once a month. The average time for Invisalign treatment is six months to a year, while braces usually require 18 months to two years.
When you have braces, there are certain things you’re not able to eat. Chewy things like gummy candy or chewing gum can get caught up in the brackets and wires and be impossible to get out. Harder foods, things like popcorn, because of the kernels, can break the wires and damage your braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign is the ideal choice to treat mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. A traditional dentist office can provide Invisalign. It doesn’t require an orthodontist. Invisalign implements a system of clear plastic aligners that you change out about every two weeks. Each set has a slightly different positioning to slowly bring your teeth into alignment.
The biggest benefit of Invisalign is that you can take it out. You still have to wear it for around 22 hours daily, but you can take it out for meals and your oral healthcare routine. This means you don’t have to remove any foods from your diet. Simply take out your aligners when you want to enjoy a meal or snack.
Invisalign makes it easier to clean your teeth and keep your smile healthy. One of the biggest struggles with braces is cleaning around the brackets and wires. If you don’t do a good enough job, you’ll have white spots on your teeth from where the brackets were sitting. The areas around those discolor and won’t match the rest of the smile.
Invisalign is for patients that aren’t forgetful and are committed to their oral care. It’s crucial to remember to take the aligners out when eating or drinking beverages that aren’t water. You can easily lose aligners in a napkin and throw them out with the trash. You have the responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
Schedule An Appointment
At Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re invested in helping our patients get the smiles of their dreams. Invisalign is one of the ways we can help you do that. If you think Invisalign is the best option to straighten your smile, call us or schedule an appointment online.