Invisible Braces vs Braces: Which is Better for You?

Are your teeth crooked or irregularly spaced? Whether you're an adult or a teen, you don't have to settle for a less-than-perfect smile. From traditional metal and wire braces to the popular Invisible Braces, there are many ways to make your teeth straighter, straighter, and healthier.

Which option is best for you? We'll help you decide.

What are braces?

As you probably know, braces use pressure to straighten and realign crooked and irregular teeth. This pressure is applied by an archwire that is attached to brackets that are affixed to your teeth. Traditionally, metal brackets are bonded to the front of your teeth and remain there throughout your treatment plan.

If additional pressure is needed, your orthodontist can also use devices like headbands and elastics to further move your teeth into place. Braces stay on your teeth from the beginning to the end of your orthodontic treatment plan. The first form of braces was manufactured in 1819, although the term "braces" didn't come into use until the 20th century.

What is Invisible Braces?

The Invisible Braces system is made by a California company called Align Technology. Instead of using metal brackets and wires like braces, this method uses aligners made from a patented clear thermoplastic material. These aligners slide over the tops of your teeth and fit them very snugly.

The aligners are made from image data captured by the Invisible Braces iTero 3D scanner. Using this information, Invisible Braces creates a series of slightly different aligners. You wear each aligner for a few weeks before switching to the next one. As you move from one aligner to the next, your teeth gradually move into the optimal position.

What are the pros and cons of Invisible Braces?

There are many benefits to wearing Invisible Braces over traditional braces. Here are some pros and cons.

Comfort and duration of treatment:

Invisible Braces aligners are removable. And they are clear. You can eat and stay clean without having to give up your favourite foods or change your habits. If you wish, you can keep your orthodontic treatment completely private. Additionally, these aligners have no protruding metal parts or protruding pieces that could dig and injure your cheeks, lips, or gums. In fact, Invisible Braces applies less pressure to your teeth than braces do, which means you may experience less discomfort overall.

Thanks to Invisible Braces's digital imaging system and its ability to simulate your progress and final results, treatment plans are predictable. Your follow-up appointments will also be shorter and less frequent because there are no adjustments to make—no wires to remove or extra-careful cleanings between treatments. Instead, you simply switch from one aligner to the next on a set schedule.

Speaking of timelines, Invisible Braces treatment plans are typically shorter than braces treatment plans, although this can vary depending on the current position of your teeth and the complexity of the changes you need.

Cost:

The average cost of Invisible Braces is comparable to the cost of traditional orthodontic treatment with braces. The average cost of an Invisible Braces treatment plan ranges between $3,000 and $5,000, keeping in mind that every treatment plan and every patient is unique. The variation depends on how many aligners you need to achieve your goals. Invisible Braces offers several packages at different prices, including Invisible Braces Full, Invisible Braces Lite (14 aligners for minor malocclusions), Invisible Braces Express 10 (for crowding and gaps), and Invisible Braces Express 5 and i7 (for minor gaps and spaces).

Responsibilities and boundaries:

Invisible Braces has three major disadvantages. First, Invisible Braces aligners are removable. This sounds like an advantage, and it is true when it comes to eating and brushing your teeth. But the temptation to take them out—rather than wear them—will be great. People who are not in the habit of wearing aligners 22 hours a day may not be suitable for Invisible Braces.

In addition to the importance of this discipline, physical maturity is also important. Invisible Braces is not suitable for children or teenagers whose permanent teeth have not yet erupted. The third and perhaps more serious disadvantage of Invisible Braces is that it may not be suitable for the most complex misalignment and spacing issues.

Whether Invisible Braces, braces, or another option is best for your dental situation will be determined by your dentist based on your health, dental images, current tooth position, age, and goals.

What are the pros and cons of braces?

Here are three pros of traditional braces and three cons of braces instead.

Advantages:

Traditional braces are an appropriate treatment option for almost all patients, including children and teens seven years old and older.

With braces, your orthodontist can use a variety of additional orthodontic devices, such as headbands, elastics, space maintainers, and palate expanders. This wide variety of additional devices makes braces an especially versatile solution for a variety of orthodontic issues, especially for children.

While every treatment plan is different, braces may be a more cost-effective option for teeth straightening than Invisible Braces. While the average cost of braces is generally between $5,000 and $6,000, the total cost can range from $3,000 to as much as $10,000, depending on your medical history, dental condition, the type of braces you wear, and the complexity of your case.

Disadvantages:

Traditional braces do have disadvantages compared to Invisible Braces. First, the brackets and wires you wear during treatment are not removable. You wear them throughout your treatment—which can be several years.

It can be difficult to keep your teeth (and braces) clean while you have braces, i.e. you may need to avoid certain foods. Partially for this reason, your dental appointments will take longer during braces treatment, as your dentist will remove the archwires and clean your teeth while making any necessary adjustments and repairs.

Finally—and this is probably the most obvious and important disadvantage—braces are very visible in your mouth. You won't be able to hide the fact that you're wearing braces. However, there are now more subtle options, including ceramic and almost tooth-coloured brackets. There are even braces that can be worn on the inside of the teeth instead of the outside (lingual braces). Unfortunately, though perhaps predictably, these options will put the overall cost on the higher end of the price spectrum.

What's Better for You?

Adult patients who have the discipline and dedication necessary to reap the benefits of Invisible Braces may find that Invisible Braces is the most convenient option as long as their goals align with the product's features. But if you're a parent looking for options for your child or if you have more complex orthodontic issues, Invisible Braces may not be the best choice. In these cases, traditional braces may be the best solution.

The best way to find out is to schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist who is familiar with your situation, needs, and goals.