Both Invisalign and braces are tools to move teeth, and they both do this effectively. Invisalign is often the first choice for those with compromised gums, minor crowding or open bites.* It is also attractive because there are longer periods between visits to the dentist, and each visit is shorter than for treatment for conventional braces.
Braces work really well for those with large gaps in the bottom or top teeth, and deep bites.** Appointments are double the length of those for Invisalign and appointment intervals are increased by around one third. Braces also require more effort to clean. Brushing and flossing are more challenging.
Perhaps most significant of all is that braces can take years to achieve the desired results. In fact, some patients have been known to give up, especially when the treatment has already been under way for 18 months. This is where braces have the advantage, because if treatment is suspended for a few days, it can still be effective, with some small changes, to be back on target. With Invisalign, once the patient stops wearing the trays, they stop their own treatment.
Fortunately, dental practices are able to provide support to patients who are becoming tired of the regime they need to follow. It’s important, therefore, for those undergoing the treatment to use their dental practice whenever they feel they need help.
A factor by factor comparison
Factor Invisalign Braces
Hygiene
Invisalign – Trays are removable
Braces – Brackets are bonded to teeth
Aesthetics
Invisalign – Hardly noticeable
Braces – Metal, coloured or tooth coloured
Emergency
Invisalign – Rarely happens
Braces – Wires intrude or braces loosen
Speech
Invisalign – Sometimes a slight lisp
Braces – No change
Appointments
Invisalign – 15 minutes
Braces – 30 minutes
Adjustments
Invisalign – Every 2 – 3 months
Braces – Every 1 – 2 months
Time wearing
Invisalign – Must be 22 hours per day
Braces – Important but not essential
Movement
Invisalign – Excellent for minor moves
Braces – Excellent for complex movement
Maintenance
Invisalign – Quite complex
Braces – Your orthodontist does much of this for you
*An open bite is when the top teeth and the bottom teeth do not actually meet. They don’t bite in the correct position. Because there is no overlap, the teeth look open, hence the term. This bite problem is known as a malocclusion and can be caused either by tooth position or the position of the law – or it could be a combination of the two.
**A deep bite is when the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth. This impacts on the jaw and could lead to surgery. However, it is much more likely that braces will be the treatment needed.
