4 Benefits of Invisalign Over Traditional Braces

If you’re deciding between Invisalign and traditional braces, it can be difficult to separate the facts from the marketing. Is Invisalign really that much better than braces? Can Invisalign achieve the same results as braces when the system is so different? Our practice has years of experience with Invisalign, giving us insight into the real benefits of their clear aligners. Here’s what you need to know when making your decision.

“Comfortable” is a relative term, of course, but many Invisalign patients are adults who had braces as teens and experienced orthodontic relapse when they didn’t wear their retainers. These patients overwhelmingly agree that the Invisalign experience is much more comfortable than the experience of wearing traditional metal braces.

Traditional braces are bulky and irritate the soft tissues in the mouth, while Invisalign aligners are made of smooth, thin plastic. With traditional braces, you’ll have to visit the orthodontist once a month to have your wires tightened, which can cause pain for days; Invisalign has you change your aligners every two weeks at home and the gradual changes from one set of aligners to the next cause less discomfort. There are no wires that poke at your cheeks with Invisalign and no brackets to break off.

Let’s face it: braces are inconvenient. While it’s an inconvenience most people adapt to, Invisalign aligners don’t interfere with your regular activities and routines. With Invisalign, you’ll be able to:

• Continue eating all of your favorite foods, including popcorn, gum, candy, nuts, and whole apples
• Remove your aligners whenever you eat and never have to worry about food getting caught in your brackets and wires
• Brush your teeth with ease
• Floss without needing a special threader or interproximal brush

Invisalign is made with clear plastic that is virtually invisible, so your friends, classmates, and coworkers won’t even know that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. You can even take a selfie without your aligners being apparent in the photo. Many patients who choose Invisalign are adults who want to straighten their teeth, but don’t want to have a mouth full of metal braces—Invisalign allows them to finally achieve the beautiful smile they’ve always wanted.

Faster isn’t always better, and that’s especially true when it comes to Invisalign. Some dentists speed up Invisalign treatment by having patients change out their aligners faster than recommended. This can compromise the health of your teeth, so it’s not an approach we use at our practice.

That said, Invisalign can still be faster than braces. The reason is because Invisalign allows us to plan the movements of each individual tooth with a great deal of precision, something that cannot be replicated with orthodontic braces. We know exactly how your teeth will move through the course of your treatment, and this often means that Invisalign produces results faster than traditional braces.

Wondering if Invisalign is right for you? Contact us today at 570-287-2500 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Todd.