Invisalign braces have brought a new perspective to braces and have become a solution for patients who refuse treatment due to aesthetic reasons. This method, which is less painful than traditional braces, has also shown faster and more effective results in more complex orthodontic problems.
While Invisalign provides more effective and successful results than traditional methods, there are some instances in which traditional methods are superior to Invisalign.
Invisalign vs. braces, which one should be used in which circumstances, and what are their advantages and disadvantages? This article addresses a number of questions on this subject.
What Is Dental Brace?
Dental braces are procedures used to correct misaligned and crooked teeth. There are basically two different types of braces.
Metal Braces:
Metal braces, which are mostly made of steel and aluminum alloy, are the oldest braces models. Currently, metal braces can be produced in different colors or shades that match the tooth color to achieve a better appearance. The popularity of metal braces is due to their sturdy construction.
Metal braces are usually made of steel or aluminum alloy. This method requires visiting the patient's dental clinic every 4 to 6 weeks.
Porcelain Braces (Clear Braces);
In porcelain braces, a metal wire and porcelain brackets are used. In this treatment, metal wires are usually coated with a tooth-colored material. Brushing the teeth can remove the coating on the braces during treatment. In this case, dentists can replace the braces with new ones.
In terms of aesthetics, they provide great advantages over metal braces. However, patients who prefer these braces need to protect them very well. They are not resistant to severe impacts due to the structure of porcelain and can break easily.
Other Dental Braces:
A couple of different brace treatment techniques are becoming common in recent years, but they aren't widely known.
Lingual Braces
In lingual braces, the braces are placed back of the teeth. A customized treatment plan is created for each patient. Located behind the teeth, they cannot be seen. Since only a few brands produce them and more orthodontic intervention is required, they are more expensive.
Damon Braces
Although Damon braces may appear to be the same as traditional braces, they differ in their locking mechanisms and ability to be mounted on the teeth at the desired angle. Thus, quite faster results can be obtained compared to traditional braces.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of transparent aligners for straightening teeth. With its elastic structure, it is possible to apply force to any area at the desired level. Its features enable dentists to work in more difficult and complex circumstances.
However, their popularity is due to their aesthetic appearance rather than their ability to treat complex dental conditions. Invisalign treatment is based on the concept of performing the treatment more frequently. Each week or every two weeks, patients have to replace their trays in these treatments.
The Invisalign system allows complex orthodontic treatments to be successfully completed by applying shorter distance corrections like digital maps applying shorter routes when approaching target locations.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Although Invisalign is considered more practical than traditional orthodontic treatment, both have advantages and disadvantages. The benefits and drawbacks of each method will make it easier for you to understand what your dentist recommends.
Aesthetic:
Despite being aesthetically recognizable, Invisalign braces don't adversely affect the appearance of patients. These transparent trays can also be removed for a short period if you follow the 22-hours-wearing rule. In metal or porcelain braces, the fact that the braces are noticeable makes the patient uncomfortable about their aesthetic.
Comfort:
It takes an average of one hour to attach traditional braces to a patient. Anesthesia makes the procedure painless, but patients feel aching and pain afterward. It takes several days for this pain to subside significantly after treatment. Compared with traditional braces, Invisalign braces are much less painful, and it also significantly diminishes within a few days.
Duration of Treatment:
Due to the force exerted by metal or porcelain braces on the teeth, they produce faster results than Invisalign in simple cases. It is possible, however, to achieve better and faster results with Invisalign braces in more complex treatments.
Depending on the patient, a dentist may start treatment with metal braces and then switch to Invisalign. In some specific conditions, mixing these methods may be more effective in achieving faster results.
Price:
The cost difference between Invisalign vs. braces is minimal despite Invisalign's higher cost. This situation varies depending on the dental clinic and the country in which treatment is administered.
In some clinics, Invisalign or braces are offered at the same price. This is to prevent the patient from choosing the wrong method based on price. From the following table, you can examine the brace vs. Invisalign cost.
Braces Cost in England:
- Invisalign Brace: £2500-5500
- Metal or Porcelain brace: £2000-4500
Braces Cost in Turkey:
- Invisalign Brace: £800-1200
- Metal or Porcelain brace: £650-1000
Which One is Right for Me?
Even though it appears that the patient's preference may determine what braces are applied, the dentist's recommendation is the primary determinant. While invisalign or braces serve the same purpose, they differ in the forces they apply to the teeth.
These pictures illustrate the Invisalign vs. braces results. Invisalign and conventional braces could both produce effective results in these two patients.
Due to the need for different angles of force to be applied to the patient's teeth on the left, Invisalign treatment provides faster results. As shown in the figure on the right, since the same force can be applied to all teeth, traditional methods can result in faster results.
Traditional methods are more effective in uncomplicated cases because they apply more force to the teeth than Invisalign.
You can still opt for Lingual or Damon braces. Your particular situation will determine the best method for you.
Some Drawbacks of Invisalign Aligners
There are a few disadvantages associated with the Invisalign brace, which you should be aware of:
Must remove to eat
Bite pressure cannot be absorbed by Invisalign. This means that before eating, they need to be removed. Moreover, they are also likely to be stained by food. Therefore, they must be removed when we eat or drink something other than water. They may also deform when they are exposed to hot food or drink.
At least 20 hours of wear per day
In order to get the desired result from Invisalign treatment, they must be worn for at least 20 hours a day. You may only take them out for meals and special activities once a day for four hours. People who think that they cannot comply with this discipline should not prefer Invisalign treatments.
More frequent visits to the dentist
With traditional braces treatments, you need to visit the dentist every 4 to 6 weeks. In Invisalign treatments, this visit will be every 1 or 2 weeks. These frequent visits also increase the success of the treatment by allowing shorter distance corrections in invisalign treatments.
Involve more dental hygiene
Dental care becomes more significant during Invisalign treatment. When proper dental care is not performed, a nasty mouth smell may occur and may trigger the formation of caries.
May involve attachments
Attachments may not be needed for all Invisalign treatments. However, in some cases, dentists apply the tooth-colored bonding material as a small dot to the midpoint of the tooth in order to apply more force to the teeth. These spots are somewhat noticeable from the outside. Such patients often require more frequent dental visits.
Invisalign vs Braces - FAQ
Do Dentists Prefer Invisalign or Braces?
Dental professionals provide patients with guidance regarding the appropriate treatment method. However, patients tend to look at these treatments only from an aesthetic perspective during treatment. Dentists often struggle to choose the right treatment method because of patients' aesthetic expectations. Together with the dentist, the patient should decide what treatment to undergo.
Is Invisalign Cheaper than Braces?
Invisalign is not cheaper than metal or porcelain braces. In fact, it is usually somewhat expensive. However, some dental clinics can offer the same treatment at a lower cost than traditional dental clinics by using a brand other than Invisalign.
When you find a clinic offering an affordable price for Invisalign, ask about the brand of transparent trays they use. Invisalign products are typically available on the market.
Is Invisalign More Painful than Braces?
On the contrary, Invisalign braces cause less pain than conventional braces. However, since the treatment has to be reinstalled more frequently, the patient is more frequently exposed to these pains.
Which is Healthier Braces or Invisalign?
Compared to other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign is healthier. Reasons for this include;
- These treatments prevent food from getting stuck between braces, so tartar doesn't form on the teeth as traditional methods do.
- With Invisalign, you can clean your teeth more effectively.
- Food restriction in Invisalign treatments is much less than in metal braces. This may adversely affect the physical development of children since the treatment period is long.
Invisalign or Braces for Adults
It is never too late to wear braces, any age is suitable for wearing braces. The formation of tartar and caries is greatly reduced by having these treatments performed, especially between crooked teeth that cannot be properly cleaned. Additionally, the patients have a healthier mouths along with a better appearance.
Are Invisalign Stronger than Braces?
According to a study conducted by the American National Library of Medicine, it has been scientifically proven that Invisalign braces perform their duties fully, despite minor abrasion during their two-week wearing period.
Braces made of metal or porcelain, however, are likely to break when they are biting hard objects. Porcelain braces are more likely to experience this problem.
Can I Switch from Invisalign to Braces?
Of course, this transition is possible. This transition is generally preferred by patients because they cannot adhere to the 22-hour wearing restriction of Invisalign braces. Dentists typically use metal or porcelain braces in complex orthodontic treatments and then move on to Invisalign.
Crowded and misaligned teeth in the mouth provide a suitable environment for bacteria and plaque. In addition to preventing bacteria from living in the mouth, braces treatments improve patients' aesthetic appearance. The result is improved dental health.
A healthy and well-aligned mouth also makes chewing food easier, which enhances our general health. The teeth are the foundation of a healthy life.