Invisalign clear aligner therapy offers convenience and flexibility without requiring any unsightly wires or brackets as you straighten on your smile. While modern braces are more comfortable and effective than ever before, they can be a hassle to wear and keep clean.
Here are a few ways braces and Invisalign are different:
Appearance
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to gently shift your teeth into place. Because the aligners are clear, they’re virtually invisible. You’ll still feel confident flashing your smile in photographs knowing that the aligners will be hardly noticeable.
In contrast, braces involve attaching conspicuous wires and brackets to your teeth to guide them into place. While modern braces are less obtrusive than predecessors, you may prefer Invisalign if you’re worried about disrupting your appearance.
Comfort & Convenience
You should wear your Invisalign aligners at least 20 to 22 hours per day, but the smooth plastic is comfortable and nonirritating. Plus, they’re easy to take out for brushing your teeth, eating, and drinking anything other than water. This means that you can enjoy your favorite foods and drinks without any restrictions. Although you will need to clean your teeth and trays after eating, brushing is simple.
Patients with braces need to avoid certain foods that can damage their wires and brackets. Brushing and flossing around braces takes more time, patience, and special tools. They can also irritate your cheeks and lips.
Results
If you don’t get the results you want, it’s insignificant how comfortable or convenient the treatment was. Invisalign is truly only better than braces for a patient if it can effectively address their unique misalignment. While both Invisalign and braces work for many smiles, sometimes one or the other is better suited to fix a patient’s individual issues.
Invisalign in Arlington, VA
During your consultation with our Ballston Dental Care team, we’ll discuss your oral health history and your goals for your smile to determine if Invisalign is right for you. We can also recommend additional dental treatments you may benefit from, such as our other cosmetic dental services. Please contact us today to schedule your visit!
Invisalign vs. braces picture from Authority Dental under CC 2.0
