How Are Invisalign® and Braces Different?
Patients who want a straighter smile might be curious about the different options available.
While and traditional braces both achieve a similar end result, the treatment methods are very different.
Here’s what you need to know about the major differences between Invisalign and traditional metal braces.
Please contact one of our offices today if you would like to learn more!
1. Dietary Changes
Invisalign allows you to eat all the same foods you eat now. When it comes time to eat, just pop out your Invisalign aligners and eat whatever you want.
With traditional braces, you will need to avoid foods that could potentially damage your wires and brackets. Please avoid any foods that are hard-to-chew and/or sticky. Some examples include raw carrots, chewing gum, and caramel.
We also recommend avoiding foods and drinks that are high in sugar. That way, you’re more likely to avoid plaque buildup around your wires and brackets. Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that lives in your mouth. When you eat sugary foods, the plaque eats the sugar to produce cavity-causing acid.
Avoiding sugary foods and drinks is also a good habit to keep once you’re done with orthodontic treatment.
2. Aesthetics
It’s not uncommon for patients to feel self-conscious with on their teeth. That’s why we often suggest Invisalign clear aligners to our patients. These aligners are often so discreet that most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them. The only exception would be if they were standing close.
Made from a clear, smooth plastic that is custom fit specifically to your mouth, Invisalign aligners fit comfortably on your teeth without anyone else having to notice. Traditional braces use metal wires and brackets that are glued to your teeth. Invisalign uses no metal at all.
3. Procedure
The Invisalign treatment process involves a series of clear, comfortable, plastic trays made specifically for your teeth. Using impressions, digital photos, and digital X-rays, each tray is custom-made for you. Following the precise movements planned out by our dentists, each new tray gradually shifts your teeth into their correct places.
Just wear a new tray every few weeks and let Invisalign take care of the rest. With clear orthodontic aligners from Invisalign, you can improve your mouth’s appearance, function, and bite.
The average Invisalign treatment takes about 12 to 18 months, depending on the position of your teeth and the structure of your jaw. But it’s important to remember that each patient is different. Our dentists will check in with you periodically to make sure the treatment progresses as planned.
4. Cleaning Techniques
Metal braces make it difficult to brush and floss all the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. With Invisalign, you can brush and floss your teeth normally. We typically find oral hygiene is improved with Invisalign and for that reason, your smile will be more beautiful.
During your first orthodontic appointment with us, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of different types of treatment. Our goal has always been to help patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles.
Call Our Office Today!
Braces and Invisalign both have their merits, and our dentists can help you decide which treatment is right for you. To make an appointment with our Invisalign dentists in Cascade, Coopersville and Wayland, MI, give Robinson Dental a call at (616) 259-5887 for Cascade, (616) 384-4129 for Coopersville, and (269) 509-4155 for Wayland.