So, when you are an adult or teenager with misaligned teeth, chances are you have had more than a few chats with a dental team about your options to get a straighter smile.
And, in years gone by, had you attempted to straighten your teeth in adulthood or even adolescence, you would probably have had to wear a metal brace.
In more modern times, however, dental surgeries have been able to offer their patients treatment with other types of orthodontic appliances, such as clear braces and invisible aligners, thus removing the need for noticeable orthodontic options. But are they as good as the more traditional regular braces?
At Archway Dental, we have helped many of our adult and teenage patients get the smiles that they want using both traditional braces and more modern options such as Invisalign in Cornwall. And we have seen and heard more than our fair share of stories comparing the two different options, so when you come to us, you know you are getting experts across all orthodontic appliances!
But how does an invisible aligner like Invisalign in Cornwall compare to a traditional brace? We compared five key points of these appliances and see which is best for general orthodontic usage.
Discretion
Orthodontic braces are composed of metal wires and brackets and, let’s be honest, this is far from discreet.
Invisalign in Cornwall is made from clear plastic and is moulded to slot over your teeth. These aligners are the epitome of a discreet orthodontic appliance. So perhaps we can probably say Invisalign win this round!
Comfort
Regular braces require tightening and adjusting to move your teeth into their desired position; in the days following these adjustments, there is going to be some pressure and tension in the jaw.
Invisible aligners gradually push the teeth into their new positions and, with each aligner being changed on average every 14 days, the increments are smaller and more manageable. Again it would seem these aligners have the advantage.
Ease of use
Invisible aligners can be removed, are cleaned via a cold water tap and a toothbrush and require no additional tools.
Regular braces will need to be cleaned after each meal with a series of interdental brushes and specialist toothpaste, to ensure that no plaque accumulation is missed. That can be challenging!
Therefore Invisalign has the edge on ease of care.
Versatility
Invisible aligners can treat only mild to moderate misalignments at present, meaning if you have a complex orthodontic case, you won’t be suitable for them.
Historically, the traditional brace has been able to correct even the most complex cases as well as minor ones, so it is the most versatile of the two!
Treatment time
Invisible braces on adults have an average treatment time of 3-6 months.
Regular braces can vary in treatment time from 6-36 months, which equates to many more trips to see our team. So on being time efficient invisible aligners are ahead.
Conclusion
When you are looking to correct misalignments of any complexity, talk to our team at Archway Dental Surgery, as we will select the best orthodontic appliance for your needs. Perfect!