Having a good set of teeth, not just being a vital part in being able to smile beautifully, is a way of boosting your self-esteem and confidence. And before having to achieve them, you have to get your teeth checked, and opt for suggested solutions for certain dental issues. Not unless you have a perfect set of teeth growing up. When you think about the typical dental treatments, one of the most common ones you can think of would be the traditional dental braces. It can address several dental issues, contributing to making your teeth more beautiful, thus, making you feel more confident. And over the years, there have been other dental solutions that have been discovered, being an alternative to the most common ones that most patients opt for. An alternative to the dental braces would be invisalign, which people believe to be more convenient than the traditional ones.
Invisalign are clear aligners, a non-metal alternative to traditional braces. They are used to correct dental issues like gaps between teeth, crowded teeth, overbite, underbite, and more. It is not permanently attached to your teeth. And in terms of its aesthetic purposes, you will wear clear, invisible aligners that are barely noticeable when worn. Thus, the growing popularity and usage of this dental solution, along with its benefits, has led to more and more people choosing them as well.
Invisalign and Dental Braces Structure
Invisalign aligners are essentially similar to metal braces when it comes to its structure. With metal braces, the brackets are glued to the surface of the teeth. They are then connected by wires that are gradually tightened, guiding the teeth into the desired position, while addressing other issues as well.
Though serving the same purpose of addressing typical dental issues, invisalign and the metal dental braces have their differences in terms of appearance, comfort, convenience, and even their effectiveness. Either of the two options are effective, and they are not necessarily better than another. But one may be recommended over the other, depending on the condition and on a patient’s lifestyle and treatment goals.
Appearance
One of the most evident and obvious differences between traditional metal braces and invisalign would be their physical appearance. Traditional braces are typically made out of stainless steel, metal brackets, and tooth-colored ceramics, as well as other elements like rubber bands, which are all obviously visible. With invisalign, on the other hand, since it consists of clear, invisible trays. It is less noticeable and tends to be more discreet. It closely fits a patient’s teeth and is nearly invisible from a distance.
If most people will depend their choices of what dental solution to choose for their appearance, they will most likely prefer to wear invisalign aligners. Instead of having to get dental braces permanently attached to their teeth. Some kids enjoy choosing different colored bands for metal braces. But for the most part, children and adults most likely prefer the Invisalign aesthetic.
Comfort
Having your teeth straightened is not always a pleasant experience. The process of adjusting the alignment of your teeth, whether you have braces or invisalign, will always go through the phase of being uncomfortable. When braces are first installed, they may irritate mouth tissue and create discomfort. But then, this is just temporary, and you will not even remember that you have them on. And when you switch to a new set of invisalign aligners, on the other hand, you may experience some discomfort. But over time, this can be entirely manageable.
But if you were to look at its overall structure, invisalign tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces. It places less pressure on the teeth overall. Sharp edges on braces have the possibility to cut the inner lip and tongue accidentally. All while clear aligners fit flush against teeth and do not cause cuts.
Convenience
In terms of convenience, both braces and invisalign offer advantages and disadvantages. Braces are convenient because they do not require removal, but they can restrict your ability to eat certain foods. When you want to eat your favorite hard or sticky foods, invisalign can be convenient. However, it is easy to forget to take out the trays and store them safely.
For this reason, invisalign may not be the ideal solution if you or your child is prone to misplacing things. It might often be difficult to excuse oneself in social situations to remove and put the invisalign trays back on before and after meals.
Effectiveness
Braces and aligners are both effective. They serve as treatments for bite abnormalities, in addition to straightening teeth. However, braces are more effective at treating more complex dental issues. Whereas aligners are wonderful for getting teeth in their ideal position and improving their appearance when the tooth motions are not too intricate.
The application of traditional dental braces makes you wear it for a longer period of time, taking years for it to get completely removed. This is purely effective in this case, as it can straighten your teeth and make you smile beautifully. They are not removable by the patient. Thus, they must wear them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as directed by their dentist.
Moreover, because invisalign trays are removable, patients may not always adhere to the recommended treatment schedule for wearing them. Also, if you forget or misplace the trays, your teeth can begin to shift back to their normal, unaddressed state while you are not wearing them. People who use invisalign tend to wear the trays for a shorter period of time than what is recommended. This can extend the time it takes to finish treatment.
Key Takeaway
In determining what dental solution to choose actually boils down to personal preferences, as well as the suggested treatment of your dentist. Which is why it is important to be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the differences of the traditional dental braces and invisalign. Though serving the same purpose, each choice has their own unique properties. Hence, making it better choices for addressing simple to complex dental issues.
