Braces vs. Invisalign: What's Best for You?

Are you looking into braces or Invisalign to achieve that perfect Hollywood smile, but not sure which to choose? Then you’ve come to the right place. Comparing the pros and cons of each treatment before deciding which is best for you can be daunting, as you’ll want to pick what works best for your lifestyle and appearance, while ultimately achieving your goal of perfectly straight teeth.

The aim of both Invisalign and braces is to straighten your teeth - but that is where the similarities in these treatments end. In this article, we’ll look at the main differences you need to consider between both treatments, how the treatments work, and a breakdown of pricing to help you work out whether Invisalign or braces is right for you.

Braces and Invisalign are both orthodontic treatments that are used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. When weighing up your options, it's important to consider the level of correction needed, your age, and lifestyle to work out which option suits you best.

Invisalign uses a clear aligner system that gradually moves teeth into the best position, with the direction of your treating dentist, offering a discreet, low maintenance path to a straighter smile. This is a newer and more modern alternative to traditional metal braces, which have an established history of success. Traditional braces have brackets that are attached to the teeth, then wires are fitted, and there are several options including clear or lingual braces (behind the teeth) to choose from.

1. Convenience

Braces – Braces are convenient because they don’t have to be removed when eating, so they are continually working, and you don’t have to remember to put them back in. With this option, it also doesn’t matter how difficult your case is as it is a powerful treatment method that can correct multiple dental issues.

Invisalign – One of the main conveniences of Invisalign vs braces is the low impact it has on your eating and lifestyle. The plastic aligners can be removed at any time of the day to eat, brush and floss, which lends itself to better oral hygiene for the patient as they can clean their teeth easily compared to fixed braces.

Our very own Emily demonstrates how easy it is to remove your aligners!

2. Timeframe

Braces – On average, fixed braces treatments take around 18 to 24 months. However, this depends on the severity of the misalignment and the age of the patient (adults will usually need them slightly longer than children and teens).

Invisalign – The average Invisalign treatment lasts around 10 to 18 months and must be worn for roughly 21 hours per day. This all depends on the individual, so timeframes may be longer or shorter. Many may think that this treatment option is faster than traditional braces, but this isn’t always the case. It may be quicker as the patient doesn’t need to wait for an orthodontic appointment to have their wires changed, however the process is still gradual and an attempt to speed it up can cause damage to the roots and irritate the gums.

3. Results

Ultimately, both options are going to straighten your teeth, so results between the two will be similar.

However, Invisalign may not be suitable for patients with severe bite issues, multiple missing teeth and unsuitable gum conditions. Those wishing to change their facial profile would also not be able to use Invisalign, and if all your teeth are not fully erupted yet, this option isn’t best for you.

4. Costs

Without an initial consultation, it’s nearly impossible to determine the full cost of your treatment. Many factors, including the complexity and the duration of your treatment, will impact and contribute to the cost.

In some clinics, Invisalign may be slightly more affordable than fixed braces. In other clinics, the pricing may be exactly the same. The best way to find out is to book a consultation.

Most clinics, like here at Vogue Dental Studios, will offer complimentary consultations for Invisalign or braces patients to assess your suitability for treatment and the complexity of your treatment case. So you can find out what options are open to you completely free.

Here at Vogue Dental Studios we also offer payment plans for our orthodontic treatments. After your consultation, we break down all the details of payment plan options with a complete quote.

5. Pain

As your teeth are moving, both Invisalign and braces may cause discomfort to the mouth. Invisalign is often regarded as being the less painful of the two options, however, there will still be some tenderness from the teeth moving.

Weighing up the good and bad points between the two can help you decide which is the best option for you.

Pros and cons of Invisalign vs braces

Pros of braces – As braces are glued to the teeth, there is no temptation to remove them. This is also a great option for those with bad bites, as the treatment is suitable for people with severe misalignment both in their teeth and jaws.

Cons of braces – When wearing braces, your teeth will require a higher level of maintenance as it is much harder to clean your teeth when the metal brackets and wires are attached to them. Even clear braces are more noticeable than plastic aligners. In addition, wires and brackets can cause irritation to the cheeks. With braces, you must also take care not to break the wires, as this could delay treatment, so certain foods must be avoided. As the teeth align with braces, stiffer wires are required to straighten the teeth, so more frequent orthodontist appointments are required.

Pros of Invisalign – Heralded as ‘straighter teeth on the down low’, one of the main benefits of Invisalign is how discreet it is compared to traditional braces. This option also allows for better oral hygiene as you are able to clean your teeth properly every day. You also needn’t skip any foods you love – you remove the aligners while eating so anything is on the cards. Invisalign is also more comfortable than braces as they are fitted to your jaw, so they are less likely to cut and scratch your cheeks and gums.

Cons of Invisalign – Due to the fact they’re removable, compliance is key with Invisalign. You need to wear them for most of the day for the treatment to proceed. Some of the attachments that must be used with Invisalign may be seen as a disadvantage, but these are still smaller and less noticeable than traditional braces.

Both treatments have proven to be effective at straightening teeth, so it is up to you to decide which you feel will work best for you.

If you wish to find out more about both braces and Invisalign, book a free consultation at one of our clinics located in Sydney, Melbourne or the Gold Coast to start your smile journey.