Metal Braces Vs. Invisalign Aligners

Aligning teeth offers patients who undergo orthodontic treatment the optimal speech and chewing ability, as well as a beautiful smile. Teeth that are perfectly aligned come with the advantage of being easier to clean and the benefit of reducing the chances of gum problems and teeth cavities. Regarding orthodontic treatment, there are two main options available. Those are traditional metal braces and Invisalign aligners. It’s essential to be aware of all the differences between these two treatments in order to decide on one type in the following guide.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are fixed appliances made from metal that orthodontists use as a dental treatment to straighten teeth. A metal wire passes through and attaches to brackets with the use of rubber ties and every bracket has a slot on the front each. The wire’s diameter determines the pressure applied on the teeth in order to place them in the correct position. After the teeth reach their optimal placement, the dentist then provides the patient with retainers that are meant to strengthen the treatment and offer the best results.

Pros Of Metal Braces

Some pros of metal braces are the fact that they’re efficient when it comes to complex cases. They’re also less dependent on whether the patient’s complacent or not. What’s more, the patient can’t lose the braces or forget to wear them when they opt for the traditional metal ones.

Cons Of Metal Braces

Cons of traditional braces include the fact that they may cause gum problems, white spots, and teeth cavities because oral hygiene becomes more difficult to maintain. With metal braces, there’s always the risk of injury of oral soft tissues. Patients wearing traditional braces cannot eat sticky or hard foods and they also have difficulty both speaking and eating. Another disadvantage is that their metal appearance is noticeable and unpleasant to the wearer.

Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign aligners are flexible and removable appliances made from transparent acrylic. They’re similar to mouthguards in some regards. Advancements in technology have helped these aligners to become efficient regarding treatment results and comfortable concerning wearing them. 

The orthodontist provides patients with a few sets of aligners that require a daily wear of 22 hours. Patients are meant to wear every set for two weeks. This process of switching between sets goes on until the patient’s teeth are aligned completely. The dentist then offers patients retainers that are used to prevent future teeth movement.

Pros Of Invisalign Aligners

Pros of Invisalign aligners include the fact that they’re suitable for sport and removable, which makes eating and brushing feel normal. They also cause no risk of injury or discomfort and can easily go unnoticed.

Cons Of Invisalign Aligners

Some cons of Invisalign aligners include the risk of losing them and the possibility of forgetting to wear them. Another disadvantage is the fact that they require patients to wear them for 22 hours every single day throughout the treatment. They’re also not meant for more complex cases.

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of both Invisalign and traditional braces, you should be better equipped in choosing the best one for you. As an additional tip, if you have missing teeth, your dentist may suggest getting the best dental implants in New York or one near you first. This is so you can get the full benefit of an Invisialign or metal braces.