Trying to choose between Invisalign clear aligners vs braces? Our North York dentists discuss what you need to know about the differences between the two orthodontic treatment options.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Making the choice between Invisalign and braces can be difficult. Fortunately, we can help. Here are some factors you may want to consider when looking at your options to straighten your smile.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Invisalign clear aligners are transparent, and custom-designed for your smile. Constructed from clear plastic material, these removable orthodontic appliances eschew the wires and brackets that come with braces to offer a more low profile appearance.
Your treatment plan will determine the cost of your clear aligners, but for many people this will be comparable to the cost of braces, or slightly more expensive. In return, you may enjoy knowing a casual observer will be hard-pressed to notice you’re straightening your smile.
Traditional Metal Braces
The most common types of braces are made of small metal components and have three primary parts: the brackets, the elastic bands and the wires. Your dentist will manipulate these elements so they work together to apply the right amount of pressure to your teeth to gradually move them into predetermined positions over time.
Which choice is best for you?
There are a few pros and cons to both braces and clear aligners every patient should be aware of.
With clear aligners, you’ll generally spend less time in your dentist’s office throughout your treatment, since you may not need as many appointments or checkups - aligners do not require regular adjustments, whereas braces do.
Approximately every 4 to 6 weeks, you’ll see your dentist for a brief appointment and to review your progress, in addition to your overall oral health, and make any required adjustments.
While there won’t be any food or drink restrictions, you must be disciplined and wear your clear aligners for 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat or drink anything except water. This also means you’ll need to schedule meals to fit within the 2 hours allotted each day that you can remove your aligners.
Braces
Because braces are fixed to your teeth, you won’t have to remember to remove them and put them back in your mouth whenever you want to eat. Made entirely from metal and supported with elastics, in recent decades metal braces advancements in orthodontic technology have brought several upgrades.
Despite the progress, some people are still hesitant to choose metal braces due to their appearance.
At 5000 Yonge Dental, we offer Invisalign clear aligners to patients who would like to straighten their teeth.
