A common question I get as an Orthodontist is “Which is better? Invisalign or Braces?”

Goal for both treatments are the same. They are both used not only to straighten teeth into their ideal position to create that beautiful smile but they are also used in a very specific way by an Orthodontist to improve facial appearance and promote better function, occlusion and health.

The way they go about doing that is vastly different. Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic tray aligners while traditional braces uses wires and braces to accomplish ideal movement.

Benefits of Invisalign

The main benefit is that they are minimally visible when worn and can be removed temporarily when drinking or eating certain types of foods so there are essentially no restriction to what you can eat.

They are ideally worn 22 hours a day with removal when eating and drinking. New trays are placed about every 1-2 weeks.

Although they have been traditionally used for less complicated cases to achieve good outcomes, with better design and treatment planning, they can now be used to correct more complex orthodontic problems that were only treated with traditional braces in the past. However, there are still certain complex cases that should not be treated with Invisalign.

Benefits of traditional braces

The main benefit is the ability of an orthodontist to precisely impart and control movement in multiple planes including root movement. With more complicated tooth movement including space closure, traditional braces enable orthodontist to move the root/crown of the teeth in a precise fashion. With modern braces and materials such as ceramic tooth colored braces, the visibility of the braces can be minimized. Traditional braces also allows you to choose fun colors or braces designs (Wild Smile Braces) to suit your personality and style!

So which is the right choice, Invisalign or Braces?

If your bite is not ideal, then Orthodontics can bring about your best smile while improving your oral health. Invisalign and braces are just some of the many tools in an Orthodontist’s arsenal to accomplish the same goals.

Ultimately the choice and specific usage of these tools are driven by Orthodontist’s use of their specialized knowledge to diagnose the underlying issues to develop the most appropriate treatment. Every person is unique and only a carefully considered and guided treatment can bring about the best results. A complimentary initial consultation will provide answers to which choice is best for you!