When you’re dealing with flaws in your smile, whether it’s a gap, misalignment, crookedness or crowding, you have two problems: an aesthetic flaw and decreased functionality. The most well-known way of correcting these flaws is with traditional braces. Some people aren’t a fan of the metal brackets and wires, though. Thankfully, there’s a more recent method available – Invisalign, but is it right for you? As you read on, your local dentist will tackle this question and more!
How Do Traditional Braces Work?
When you wear metal braces, your dentist will place brackets on your teeth that a wire passes through, connecting to special rings on the back teeth. As the wire is tightened, pressure is applied to your ivories, making them move.
Over the next 24 months or more this process continues with you going in once a month to have the wire adjusted. By the time your treatment process is complete, you’ll have a beautiful new smile.
The Invisalign Alternative
For those who prefer a more discreet treatment process, the Invisalign method is available. Made from clear plastic, these custom-designed trays are worn for at least 22 hours a day, gradually correcting your teeth.
Instead of wearing wires that are adjusted at monthly visits to your dentist, you’ll be given a complete set of trays that are to be worn in two-week increments, with each change in trays representing a progression in your treatment process.
Traditional Braces and Invisalign Compared
Let’s look at how the Invisalign method stacks up against metal braces by considering the following categories:
- Complex Cases – For more complex cases, traditional braces are usually the better option. An example of a situation where you’d probably want to go with metal braces is severe crowding. Because of the force applied by the wire, your dentist will be able to make the needed adjustments throughout your treatment process and ensure you a beautiful new smile.
- Appearance – For many people, their greatest concern with braces is the way they’ll look wearing them. Thankfully, there’s an alternative – Invisalign clear aligners. Because they’re clear, people are able to enjoy a discreet treatment process.
- Compliance – If you think that you’ll have a problem with compliance, then the Invisalign method may not be the right one for you, because you’ll be able to remove your aligners whenever you want. With traditional braces, though, your fixtures remain in place until your dentist removes them. Thus, you have a greater assurance of being able to meet your treatment goals.
- Functionality – If you want to enjoy your treatment process more and have the freedom to maintain all of your regular eating habits and activities, then you should consider the Invisalign procedure. One of the most important benefits of being able to remove your aligners for up to two hours each day is that you can practice excellent oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing your teeth.
At the end of the day, you want to reach your goal of having a fully functional, correctly aligned and beautiful smile. Either metal braces or Invisalign will deliver that.
To get a better understanding of which would be best, reach out to your cosmetic dentist to schedule an appointment today!
About the Author
A 1984 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Joseph Sandberg has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years. Throughout his career, he has remained eager to learn, which drove him to earn his Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Sandberg practices at South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine and can be reached for more information through his website.