How Is Invisalign Different from Traditional Braces?

Last Updated on June 12, 2015 by Dr Patricia Panucci

If you feel self conscious about your smile, you are not alone. There are many people who do not naturally have perfectly aligned teeth, and have to deal with gaps in the front teeth, crooked teeth, and all sorts of other problems. This can be hard on a person’s self-confidence, because he or she will feel like it is necessary to hide his or her smile all the time.  Fortunately, there is a very easy solution for this kind of a problem. Many cosmetic problems are very hard to fix, but this one can be fixed by simply going to an orthodontist.

The Difference

If you go to an orthodontist, it is likely that they will give you two main options for straightening your teeth. The two mainstream treatments in modern orthodontics are Invisalign and traditional metal braces. These can both be very effective in giving you the smile that you have always wanted, but each one is best suited for a certain set of cases. Traditional metal braces involve brackets being glued to your teeth and held together tightly by wires, and Invisalign involves clear aligners that you put over your teeth to straighten them out.

Traditional metal braces are typically recommended for people who have severe misalignment issues. Some of these people have teeth misalignments that are actually affecting the rest of their faces, causing problems in the jaw and other areas. They can also have bad bites because of the misalignments in their teeth. For these individuals, traditional metal braces are often the way to go, and they may additionally need other dental appliances placed in their mouths to correct the issues.

Traditional metal braces are more restrictive on an individual’s lifestyle, because they cannot be removed as long as they are in. A person who is wearing these braces will need to avoid certain foods while they are wearing them. They cannot be removed, so it is easier to stay disciplined in wearing them and allowing your teeth to straighten out. If you were able to remove them, the temptation would be there to keep them out so that you would not have to deal with them. Traditional metal braces can cause soreness and discomfort in the mouth at times due to the brackets poking your mouth.

A Desirable Option

Invisalign is often a desirable option for people who want their teeth straightened out for primarily cosmetic reasons. These people typically do not have misalignments that are that severe. The obvious difference between traditional metal braces and Invisalign is that Invisalign, as the name implies, is invisible for all intents and purposes. The aligners in your mouth will not be very conspicuous to other people, so you can straighten out your teeth without other people even knowing about it if you choose this option.

Additionally, the aligners are removable, so you can take them out anytime you want, although you do need to be wearing them for 20 to 22 hours per day. Unlike the case with traditional metal braces, there are no food restrictions, because you will not even be wearing the aligners when you are eating, most likely. You will need to brush your teeth after eating before you put the aligners back in, however, in the interest of hygiene. Another difference between traditional metal braces and Invisalign is the amount of times you will have to go to your orthodontist’s office for appointments.

With Invisalign, you will have more appointments, because of the way that the process works. A mold of your mouth will be taken at your orthodontist’s office to start off, so that the aligners can be made to fit your teeth. You will need to have a new mold made every two weeks, and you will need to get a new set of aligners every two weeks as well. With traditional metal braces, the same braces stay in your mouth the whole time, and you typically only need to get them adjusted every month or so. Invisalign is different, because new molds will need to be made as your teeth are moving into their new positions, and this needs to be done quite often in order for progress to be made at the rate that you will want it to go. With Invisalign, you will not have to deal with the discomfort that comes with braces and their brackets poking at your mouth.

Call Today

When you are faced with orthodontic treatment and want the brightest smile possible, make an appointment to visit Beach Braces Orthodontics. With a caring and professional staff, this Manhattan Beach orthodontics practice will ensure you walk away happy and confident in your new smile!

Dr. Panucci

Beach Braces, 1730 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suite B, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

TEL: 310-379-0006 Fax: (310) 379-7051.

How Is Invisalign Different from Traditional Braces?

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