Long before clear or invisible aligners became a thing, traditional metal braces dominated the market as the best option for teeth straightening and alignment. They are still viewed as an effective option till date, but are they better, cheaper, and faster than clear invisalign aligners?
Invisalign was introduced into the market in 1998 by Align technology. Since then, it has refined and fine tuned its service offerings to the point where it effectively deals with a large number of teeth issues. People trying to decide which of these two options to go for often ask questions like “is Invisalign better than braces?” Read on to find answers to this and other related questions.
Are Invisalign Better Than Braces?
Invisalign also looks better than braces. Most people have come to love the fact that they aren’t self conscious even though they are undergoing orthodontic treatment. You don’t get worried about your smile in photos, and you can take the aligners off when you want to eat, as opposed to braces where certain foods can be agonizing to eat. Invisalign aligners don’t also prevent you from brushing and flossing as normal.
Once aligners are taken out to eat, patients must brush and clean their teeth, and clean their aligner trays before wearing them again. However, this might also be one of the biggest advantages of braces. With metal braces, you’ll always have it on 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Since people can remove Invisalign on their own, they often end up forgetting about it, making the treatment less effective. On the average, you need to have the aligners on at least 22hours per day for optimal results.
With Invisalign, fewer dental consultations are needed because a bulk of the orthodontist’s job is done even before you wear your aligners. A 3D scan with pictures and impressions of your teeth is carried out before customized aligners are produced in a lab, and while there are requirements for multiple changes on the orthodontist’s directions, there is no need to keep visiting for any major adjustments. Fewer visits to the orthodontist or dentist office means that you get more time for other priorities. Since Invisalign is made with personalized plastic aligners, it doesn’t cause sores, cuts, or gum problems, and it is generally more comfortable to wear.
Is Invisalign More Painful Than Braces?
The pain of metal braces is excruciatingly infamous. The first week brings a lot of facial and jaw pain that causes loss of sleep. People who are new to using metal braces usually need lots of ibuprofen, ice, and lots of soft food. They’ll also have to go through this pain all over again each time the braces are retightened.
Is Invisalign Cheaper Than Braces?
The cost of invisalign is notably higher than that of braces. Invisalign is made using X-rays, 3D scanning technology and flexible BPA-free plastic aligners in laboratories. Invisalign cost ranges from $3500-$9000. While traditional orthodontic braces treatments cost between $2500-$7000. Dental insurance companies can cover some of these costs depending upon the provider.
Oftentimes insurance helps with a lot of coverage but rarely does it pay for the full cost of the treatment. How much you’ll be required to pay often depends on the type of problem you’re trying to correct.
Braces have evolved from simply being fashioned with metal. There are lingual braces now, which have been compared to Invisalign because they are also customized and invisible. Lingual braces can be in the same price range as Invisalign.
Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces?
Which Is More Effective? Braces or Invisalign?
Is Invisalign as Good As Braces?
Orthodontists tend to believe that Invisalign is a much better option than braces in terms of convenience, appearance, and comfort. But deciding the better option inevitably always comes down to how complex the problem is. This is why it is imperative to visit one of our dental offices to talk to a dentist in London Ontario before making any solid decision on any treatment plan is also a necessary imperative.
Ultimately, it is not what is better that matters but what is deemed healthy and would work most efficiently for your oral health.
Conclusion
Visit us at Sbenati Dentistry, our dentist office in London Ontario to speak about your case and get recommendations about your treatment options. Call us (519) 474 – 0220.
