Clear braces or Invisalign, both are the right choice, but there might be one option that is more convenient for you.
In the past, if you had crooked or damaged teeth the only option was metal braces for one to three years, but thankfully today both Invisalign and clear braces can straighten your crooked teeth.
While many people still wear braces because of the cost, there are now options that are less visible and produce the same results.
Here are seven differences between the clear braces and Invisalign therapy to help you determine which option is best for you. If you are in OC, Newport Beach dentist will recommend the best treatment for you.
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Invisalign is more discrete than clear braces
Clear braces are still able to stick effectively to your teeth. And although they may be too white to match your teeth’s color, clear braces always adhere to the tooth surface, which means they are more visible than transparent plastic trays used for Invisalign treatment.
That being said, it does not necessarily mean Invisalign is better, but the clear bucket attracts more attention than the tray.
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Like Invisalign, it is not possible to remove noticeable braces
The benefits of Invisalign include the ability to remove your trays for food or clean your teeth, reducing the restrictions on what you can eat and keeping your teeth clean. The treatment could take longer, however, if you are not careful with these activities, and you must wear the tray for at least 22 hours a day or see your results diminished.
How this will affect your decision depends on whether you want or need slow treatment, or whether you are willing to receive faster treatment.
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Clearing the brackets requires less adjustment
Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to put on a new Invisalign tray every two to three weeks. It may cause more discomfort than clear braces, which need to be adjusted every four to six weeks.
Although you may have to wear aligners for some time, most orthodontists like to check the treatment of their patients to make sure they are wearing the aligner before their next surgery.
For those who are busy and don’t have time to make an appointment every other week, clear braces may be the better choice.
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For complex cases, clear braces are better
Although Invisalign is a great system that can straighten teeth, the alignment tray is only suitable for straightening crooked teeth and narrowing the gap between them.
If your condition is more complicated or more serious, clear braces may be the better choice because they can be used to repair any tooth and jaw alignment you have, just like metal braces. Especially in cases where it is necessary to correct your bite, it is essential to widen the arch or to rotate the teeth in its socket, the transparent braces are a better choice.
If you only have some crooked teeth and a simple case, Invisalign is usually the more convenient option.
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Invisalign may be stronger
Because the aligner is adjusted every other week, few people break it and have to replace it with a new one. But as with any bracket system, however, the same brace and wires are used throughout the treatment, making them more susceptible to rupture and damage during surgery.
It is also a matter of personal preference and lifestyle though, for if you are vigilant about your diet and plan to follow the orthodontist’s food restrictions you may not have any problems.
If you want to be able to remove the aligner, you are free to eat. If there is a break, don’t worry, because another Invisalign will be available in just a few days!
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Clear braces can cause more irritation in the early stages of treatment
Although you may at first be uncomfortable using the Invisalign tray, in the early stages of treatment removing the transparent braces is actually more likely to irritate your gums and the inside of your lips.
Your mouth is very flexible, however, and as the treatment progresses it produces calluses on the inside of the lips to prevent further irritation. Visit Newport Beach dentist to ensure you don’t have any serious mouth allergies.
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Both the clear braces and Invisalign will get stained
If you smoke, drink coffee, or eat foods that contain a lot of pigments while you are under treatment, both clear brace and Invisalign may get stained because of the plastic used in both modes.
You can prevent your braces or trays from getting stained by thoroughly cleaning them as directed by the orthodontist and avoid eating or drinking foods and beverages that may stain plastic.
Clear braces and Invisalign both are great options for treating crooked teeth, but Invisalign is best when your case is less severe, such as if some of your teeth are crooked or with only small gaps. While clear brackets are best for complicated tooth problems, as they are the perfect solution for straightening your teeth.
Newport Beach dentist like F. Anthony Rich, DDS is the best dentist in town for both clear braces and Invisalign treatments.