The Clear Winner: Invisalign vs Braces
Why choose Invisalign over Braces? This is a common question that I hear from patients. There are many great reasons to choose Invisalign over traditional braces, but the number one reason is comfort, comfort, comfort!
Braces can cause several issues—problems that don’t exist with an Invisalign clear aligner treatment. For example:
First, braces protrude off the teeth, which may result in cuts and sores inside your mouth. Wax is often prescribed to aid with this issue, but it can be challenging to get the wax to stick in a wet environment.
Second, the arch wires that run through the braces sometimes slide back & forth and poke the back of your cheeks, making it uncomfortable to talk or eat.
Third, braces can come loose, or an appliance can break at an inconvenient time (think Saturday night at the movies or while out to dinner).
Fourth, with braces, you are advised to stay away from hard, sticky foods and modify snacks to prevent damaging the wires or breaking brackets. It means cutting corn off the cob, trimming meat off ribs, slicing up apples and carrots, avoiding hard pizza crusts and chips, etc.
Also, there is nothing worse than eating a meal, having food stick to your braces, then excusing yourself to go to the bathroom to clean your teeth. Not the type of attention most of us would want!
Finally, braces make the teeth very sore for the 3-to-4 days following an adjustment. This can adversely affect your daily activities like eating, sleeping, and being able to focus.
The Invisalign Advantage
Invisalign treatment provides a gentle, more natural way to correct the alignment of your teeth. It mitigates the discomfort and trauma associated with traditional braces. And no emergencies!
Invisalign is a removable system. So the trays will be taken out when eating and cleaning your teeth. This is a significant benefit because there are no limitations on what you eat or how to prepare your favorite foods while straightening your teeth. Best of all, once you are done eating, there are no extra steps to clean your teeth with Invisalign. Just brush and floss as you have always done.
Studies have shown that oral hygiene is much better with removable aligners. There is less chance of gum disease, decay, and decalcification (those pesky white permanent scars on the teeth after traditional orthodontic treatment).
There are, of course, the aesthetic benefits of wearing nearly invisible aligners versus braces. Most patients will tell you that their family and friends did not even know they were undergoing orthodontic treatment. This is especially important for teens and working adults who prefer to keep their “smile under construction” anonymous.
Other benefits of an Invisalign treatment may not be as obvious.
- An Invisalign treatment typically is more efficient than braces, and most smiles and bite corrections can be completed within 12 months or less.
- Invisalign costs the same or sometimes less than traditional braces.
- Invisalign can act as a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth at night.
- For sports enthusiasts, Invisalign can serve as a mouth guard and protect your teeth from harm while playing your favorite sport.
- Invisalign has completed over 6 million cases and is the #1 orthodontic aligner company in the world.
Ultimately, Invisalign is committed to providing the most advanced, cutting edge clear aligner on the market – a product backed by over 20 years of research and development.
So which system is the clear winner in the world of straightening teeth? Definitely Invisalign!
If you have questions about the benefits of Invisalign treatment, please call Visage Orthodontics at 505-670-6145 or visit our appointment page to schedule a complimentary consultation with me, Dr. Tanner, your Santa Fe Invisalign specialist. I will review everything in detail and develop a customized treatment plan to fit your lifestyle and budget. A confident and beautiful smile is right around the corner!
