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Invisalign vs. braces - which is better?
If you've been researching "types of braces", one of the questions you're probably wondering is if you should get Invisalign or braces?
An ideal person to answer this question is an orthodontist. They’ll be able to make a recommendation based on a thorough exam of your teeth and the issues you will need to fix.
If your orthodontist feels that either Invisalign or braces are a viable option, you’ll then want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each before making a decision.
Conventional braces
treatment involves metal or ceramic brackets glued to your teeth, connected by wires, and small rubber bands.
Invisalign
consists of clear plastic aligners that are switched out every two weeks or so for a new set. They are virtually invisible and are easier to clean than traditional braces because you can take your aligners out.
visibility
Part of the reason Invisalign
has become so popular is because the aligners are clear, and virtually invisible. This is why Invisalign is often referred to as “invisible braces”.
Conventional braces
are quite visible, and it is obvious you’re wearing them, but options like clear braces
are much less visible.
If you do require conventional braces, you may choose to make a fashion and personality statement by going for coloured elastics or brackets!
Another very popular option, that is arguably even more invisible than Invisalign is hidden braces
- braces that are attached to the back of your teeth!
complexity of orthodontic issues
This is the most important consideration. Your orthodontist will recommend the type of braces that they feel is best based on the severity of your orthodontic issues.
time
Depending on the nature of your orthodontic issues, metal braces may take up to two years to correct your teeth. With Invisalign, treatment varies from six months to two years.
Conventional braces
are glued to your teeth, and must be worn 24 hours per day. Invisalign aligners are removable, though it is recommended you wear them all the time. Removing Invisalign aligners for extended periods of time may delay treatment progress.
Cost
Again, this really depends on the complexity of your orthodontic issues. With Invisalign, the cost of treatment can range from $3,500 to $8,500. Conventional braces
range in cost from $3,500 to $9,500 (again, varying with each patient's particular case).
It really is impossible to nail down the exact cost without a proper orthodontic examination.
maintenance
This is one area where Invisalign has a definite advantage; Invisalign aligners are much easier to keep clean. The Invisalign retainers are removable, allowing you to floss and brush your teeth normally.
Braces are more difficult to work around because of the brackets, wires and rubber bands. While it may be more difficult, with a little practice (and patience) you’ll be brushing and flossing like a pro in no time.
eating and drinking
Again, the advantage goes to Invisalign. With removable retainers, Invisalign allows you to eat almost anything you like, just remember to brush and floss before you put your aligner back in.
You need to be more careful when eating and drinking with braces. Food needs to be cut up into small pieces. Hard or crunchy foods could potentially damage your braces, and sticky and sugar foods can be difficult to remove from nooks and crannies.
discomfort
You will experience some discomfort with Invisalign or braces. It comes with the territory when you’re moving your teeth over time, but it is very manageable.
conclusion
We hope this information has helped you to understand the differences between Invisalign and braces. Please feel free to call our Sherwood Park orthodontists
or St. Albert orthodontists
if you have any initial questions.
We invite you to book a consultation
if you would like to find out which treatment would work best for you.
If you’re considering getting braces, you may already be familiar with Invisalign, often referred to as clear braces or invisible braces. There are three basic choices when it comes to Invisalign: Invisalign Full Invisalign Express Invisalign Teen Are you wondering which Invisalign treatment option is right for you? The decision is actually going to be much easier than you realize. Your orthodontist will assess your condition and determine which orthodontic treatment option is best.
If you’ve considered getting braces, no doubt you’re familiar with Invisalign braces (sometimes referred to as clear braces or invisible braces). Today, they are one of the most popular options for dental braces. As orthodontists serving the Edmonton area, Mar Orthodontics can attest that Invisalign is indeed a very popular option among our Edmonton, Sherwood Park and St. Albert patients. Everyone seems to be asking about Invisalign braces! Why is Invisalign so popular?
IT IS SO EASY TO SEE DR. MAR
Usually your Orthodontist will make a strong recommendation after doing an oral exam and reviewing your x-rays and 3-D scans. Dr. Mar always explains the choice he made and welcomes discussion. For a new patient there are so many things to think about. Patients come in asking about various styles of orthodontic wear like: Clear Correct Invisalign In addition to your diagnosis, Dr. Mar considers many pieces of information to make the best choice for you. Dr. Mar feels strongly that the Orthodontic process should be exciting, stress free and easily manageable with your busy lifestyle. He believes empowering the orthodontic partnership with an honest and transparent patient relationship increases trust, excitement and commitment. Dr. Mar certainly prefers the use of CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY thus providing every patient with a level of freedom throughout the treatment. The positives are less time to floss and brush, no foods you cannot eat, socially easier to carry out your lifestyle and less visits to the office. Dr. Mar explains carefully and in great detail why compliance when wearing aligners is a must. He is pleasantly surprised to see the strong commitment patients exhibit, even teenagers. Make your appointment for a FREE EXAM and discuss your options with Dr. Mar. Orthodontics is a big choice and it is so important you make an informed decision. Ask all the questions you may have about Invisalign, Clear Correct, Clear Aligner Therapy, Metal braces and Lingual braces (Hidden braces). Dr. Mar will welcome your questions and explain his choice.
Mar Orthodontics is now conveniently located in the Gateway Village Shopping Centre at Suite 128, 2 Hebert Road, just southeast of the St. Albert Trail and Gervais Road/Hebert Road in intersection (the first major intersection when you enter St. Albert from Edmonton). We’re less than a minute from Anthony Henday Drive, which makes our office very accessible for our Edmonton orthodontics patients. Take the St. Albert Trail exit into St. Albert. Landmarks around us include Superstore (located in the complex just south of us), TD Bank (located southwest of us), A&W (located in the same complex just west of us), Tim Hortons (located in the same complex just north of us), KFC (in the same complex west of us). Feel free to drop by and check out our new office!
One of the most popular teeth-straightening options these days is Invisalign (also commonly referred to as “invisible braces” and “clear braces”). Invisalign is not your conventional braces , it’s actually a set of wire-free plastic aligners. With Invisalign, there are no metal brackets attached to your teeth or wires to tighten. Orthodontic patients love Invisalign for two main reasons: 1) they are virtually invisible (a lot less noticeable than conventional braces) and 2) there are no restrictions on eating & drinking because the aligners are removable.
Propel is a new orthodontic technology and Mar Orthodontics is proud to be one of the orthodontic offices in the Edmonton area that offers it. One hesitation many people have about getting braces is the amount of time orthodontic treatment can take. Depending on how severe your orthodontic issues are, treatment can take up to two years, or even a little more. In many cases however, treatment does not take that long. You may be wondering if it’s possible to shorten the amount of time you need to wear braces ( conventional or lingual ) or Invisalign . Well, now it is!
You’ve decided to get braces. Congratulations! You’re on your way to straighter teeth, a healthier bite and a confident smile. You may be wondering how wearing braces will affect your life while undergoing your orthodontic treatment, and what you’ll need to do to get the best results possible. Living with braces will definitely require making some adjustments to your normal eating and drinking routine, and committing a little extra time to your oral hygiene. Your braces may also cause you some discomfort (it’s not a lot, but it’s part of the process). All of which will be worthwhile when you get the smile you’ve always wanted. In this post, we’ll mostly be referring to braces with brackets and wires, whether they’re lingual braces that go behind your teeth or conventional braces that are placed on the front of your teeth. Invisalign braces are a bit of a special case, and are generally easier to care for. Read more about why Invisalign braces are so popular. The main areas to consider when it comes to living with braces include: oral hygiene/cleaning (brushing and flossing), eating and drinking (what should be avoided) and dealing with discomfort.